KENT'S seven captive-born gorillas have taken their first steps in their new home in the Gabonese forest.

Nervously, the apes looked to their human carers, head gorilla keeper Colin Angus and vet Sandrine Mahe, as they ventured forth into the protected areas of the Bateke Plateau National Park.

Amos Courage, who runs The John Aspinall Foundation's gorilla projects in the Gabon and the Congo, was there to witness a world-first in conservation.

He said: "As we let them out of their boxes they were very, very nervous."

The gorillas spent their first night in a makeshift shelter with food given to them by their carers, who returned in the morning to find they were not only well but had eaten some of the leaves left for them.

Mr Courage, who is Mr Aspinall's stepson, said: "We walked them into the forest and they were a little nervous, especially the two oldest ones.

"They started trying the leaves we found for them and then began to find things for themselves and climbing the branches. It was incredible to see how their natural instincts came back. Already they are trying things they have never seen before in their lives and doing very, very well."

The gorillas' momentous journey began last Wednesday evening at Howletts Wild Animal Park as each gorilla was given a sedative in honey, which would allow the older ones to be more fully sedated with a needle for their transfer. Among those watching them go was Australia's Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, who had flown in for two days to film the departure.

After 30 minutes Djalta, the eldest gorilla, but still only five, was carried from the enclosure to the waiting truck by keeper Colin Lee. Within 10 minutes Kwibi, the second eldest, was carried out by Colin Angus and keeper Hannah Barlow on a stretcher.

Kiba was next, followed by the two babies Kido and Ima, who are both only about 18 months old. Ama followed and then Djaltam, Djalta's younger brother was carried to his crate by keeper Brian Hammer.

The pioneering journey back to the wild took one-and-a-half days, during which time the gorillas travelled by truck, boat, plane and helicopter. When they landed in Gabon a crowd of 250 people greeted them.

Mr Courage said: "It is a source of national pride that these gorillas are coming back."