Zoo-break for adorable gorilla who met the Queen as a baby nine years ago

Yakini the gorilla became a media darling as a baby nine years ago. But he’s all grown up now – and apparently has decided it is time to leave the nest. Using a palm frond, Yakini clambered out of his pen at the Melbourne Zoo in Australia yesterday, escaping for a 20-minute walkabout. Zookeepers were
Zoo-break for adorable gorilla who met the Queen as a baby nine years ago

Yakini the gorilla became a media darling as a baby nine years ago.

But he’s all grown up now – and apparently has decided it is time to leave the nest.

Using a palm frond, Yakini clambered out of his pen at the Melbourne Zoo in Australia yesterday, escaping for a 20-minute walkabout.

Zookeepers were only able to coax him back to his pen by luring him with bananas.

Adorable images of Yakini squishing his little face up as a vet listened to his heart with a stethoscope were beamed around the world nine years ago, prompting ‘Awwwwws’ from people everywhere.

They even drew a visit from the Queen, who was in Melbourne at the time.

epa01693211 Nine-year-old gorilla Yakini sits in his pen at Melbourne Zoo in Melbourne, Australia, 10 April 2009.
epa01693210 Nine-year-old gorilla Yakini sits in his pen at Melbourne Zoo in Melbourne, Australia, 10 April 2009. Yakini yesterday used a palm frond to

All grown up: Yakini pictured in his pen at the Melbourne Zoo after his escape yesterday

Queen Elizabeth met Yakini, pictured here when he was four months old, when he was a baby

Queen Elizabeth met Yakini, pictured here when he was four months old, when he was a baby

He was born at the Melbourne Zoo by Caesarean section in November, 1999. His heart was barely beating and he was not breathing.

Zookeepers in 12-hour shifts watched him around the clock until he grew strong and healthy.

Now Yakini lives a bachelor life as the zoo with his father and brother.

Yakini at four months, looking as though butter wouldn't melt in his mouth

Yakini at four months, looking as though butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth

Yakini had to have round-the-clock care at his birth

Yakini had to have round-the-clock care at his birth

The zoo said visitors were ushered out of harm’s way and into the giftshop near the zoo’s entrance until the 20-minute drama was over, justbefore closing time yesterday.

Zookeepers lured Yakini into the elephant barn with a bunch of banannas.

Once inside the barn, a zoo spokeswoman said, he was sedated with a dart gun and returned to his cage.

‘He just went for a walk,’ she told AAP, adding that gorillas are gentle creatures.

‘He went into the barn and the next thing he knew he was waking up on a bed of straw in his den.’

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