A gorilla enjoys a snack of violas. Picture: Mark Kingston-Jones

Primates at Howletts Wild Animal Park have been given an unusual addition to their diets - bouquets of edible flowers.

Gibbons, gorillas and langurs were given violas for extra sensory stimulation as the flowers taste, smell and look different to their usual diet.

Research and enrichment officer Mark Kingston-Jones said: "We are always looking for a way to add interest and different nutrition to our animals' diets and thought that the violas would be perfect.

"The langurs and gibbons were very curious when they saw the bouquets - even though the taste did not appeal to some they were all interested in the different scents that the flowers provided. This enabled us to give them sensory enrichment through smell and colour."

Research carried out at the Primate Research Institute at Kyoto University in Japan suggests that in the wild primates are known to eat plants that have medicinal properties.

Mark added: "I did some research into the violas and it appears that they do have medicinal benefits. In the wild, primates have been observed self-medicating by eating fruits and plants that have beneficial properties."