Playful gorillas in Kent were transfixed as they tried to pop bubbles belched from their new toy - a bubble machine.

The play-thing has been entertaining young western lowland gorillas at Howletts Wild Animal Park, near Canterbury.

The bubble machine was donated by a supporter of the park after keepers drew up an Amazon wish-list of useful items that would help enrich the animals' lives.

Animal director Neil Spooner said: "Enrichment is a vital part of how we care for our animals here and we are always looking for new and exciting themes. Enrichment is just one of the many ways we keep our animals active and healthy."

Lorna Wanless, head of the gorilla section at Howletts, said: "We couldn't resist filming the youngsters' reactions to the bubbles. Jouki and Nkoumou loved trying to catch them and Nkoumou even managed to pop one."

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