Heartbreaking footage shows a baby gorilla clinging to the body of his “wonderful” adopted mother after a brain tumour killed her.

Damian Aspinall’s Instagram Reel shows Kumbi sitting behind a lifeless Shubi at Howletts Wild Animal Park in Bekesbourne near Canterbury.

Mr Aspinall’s upsetting video came with the caption: “Very sad news.

“Shubi died this morning - she had a brain tumour.

“You can see her adopted son Kumbi clinging onto her body.

“She was a wonderful gorilla.”

Kumbi himself is a record-breaking animal, as he was the 150th gorilla to be bred by the trust.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Damian Aspinall (@damian_aspinall)

He was born at Howletts in July 2022 and is hoped to be released into the forests in Gabon one day.

The status sharing the sad news gathered more than 400 comments in just 45 minutes.

Celeste Hyland wrote: “Oh my goodness this is so heartbreaking. I’m so sad to hear it.

“I do hope her adopted baby is okay.”

Darren Embley added: “I’m so very sorry to you all as I know how much you love and look after these amazing creatures.”

Debbie Cooper commented: “Absolutely heartbreaking to lose this precious animal.

“I hope Kumbi will be okay.”

Howletts is home to 24 Western lowland gorillas, split into different family and individual groups.

The silverback and pack leader is called Ebeki and is Kumbi’s father.

The Howletts Wild Animal Trust (THWAT), which also oversees Port Lymne, is responsible for breeding 66% of all gorillas ever born in the UK.

THWAT have so far collaborated to rewild 27 gorillas born at the parks in areas of protected wilderness in Congo and Gabon.