TAKING seven gorillas born and hand-raised in captivity in the UK and moving them to an African rainforest is a world-first for conservation.

But it was a dream and ambition of the late John Aspinall, the man who set up Howletts and Port Lympne wild animal parks in Kent.

Because of its pioneering nature it was and will remain for years to come, a huge risk. No on e involved in the project was unaware of the magnitude of the step taken in August, 2003, when Djalta, Kwibi, Kiba, Ima, Ama, Djaltum and Kido were flown out to Gabon, Africa.

They were aware of the great potential for failure two gorillas who had made the journey before them had not survived.

But three months after their arrival in the forest, the Howletts seven are thriving. They are putting on weight, their eyes are sparkling and they are even laughing.

Amos Courage, step-son of Mr Aspinall and manager of the gorilla projects, said: "You never hear a gorilla laughing in captivity."

Sandrine Mahe, the French vet who worked with the gorillas at Howletts, helped prepare them for their trip, made the journey with them in August and now spends every day with them in the forest, said: "I am surprised and pleased. It's amazing that they can just look for their food and find it for themselves.

"Also they react like a group of gorillas should. When sensing something is wrong they all cling together. That's really nice."

Each of the gorillas has faced his or her own challenges in adapting to their new habitat.

Sandrine said: "Djalta, the eldest, hasn't changed that much. He is still nice and takes care of the two small boys. He also spends time with the new girls that have been introduced which is interesting.

"Kwibi is the one who has changed the most. He was really difficult at the beginning. He was difficult with people and with the other gorillas. Now he tries to lead the group. He is always checking that everybody is still there and still following when we go back to the enclosure."

Seemingly scared at the start, Djaltum is now calmer and is playing.

"But he is still very protective with his food and when he is eating no one can approach," said Sandrine.

Kiba would always sort out disputes among the gorillas when they were at Howletts and the move to the forest has not changed this.

"Kiba is still the diplomatic one of the group," said Sandrine. "She really takes care of everybody and makes sure that everybody is here. She's playing more and more with the two small boys.

"She was the most sad when Lorna, one of the keepers who was out here, left. Now she seems really well and is playing more with the others"

Ama, probably the weakest of the seven, had problems with her hand for a long time and now has problems with her leg.

Sandrine said: "Often she is a little apart from the group and she has always been the little one. She is just following the group and doesn't interact with the other gorillas. She is often near me and the two small boys."

Ima and Kido, are thriving.

"Kido, we call the him the little fat bear," said Sandrine. "He is just really happy with all the food. Ima is climbing a lot and playing a lot with Kwibi and asking for Kwibi to play. The two small boys are often near people. Ima has started to be a tough boy so that will be interesting in time."

The Howletts seven, and the three new girls, Zora, three, Souba, two and Tchimbele, a baby found clinging to her dead mother with 21 dead gorillas lying around with their heads and hands cut off, are referred to as the Kwibis.

On the other side of the small Lou Lou river lives another group of 14 gorillas, all orphaned or victims of hunters. They are known as the Marcos.

The divide of the river ensures that the two groups do not mix at this stage but in time the two groups will meet.

In preparation for the Howletts seven, steps were built up into the forest. An enclosure was constructed from branches to provide the gorillas with security overnight. In time they will spend 24 hours a day free in the forest.