Story By: Juan Fenandez Mayes, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Newsflash
Newsflash/Bioparc Valencia
This is the moment a cute toddler gorilla named Felix frolics in his enclosure with his mother on his first birthday.
The adorable gorilla was born at Valencia Bioparc in the city of Valencia in the eastern Spanish region of the same name.
In the footage, little Felix is seen frolicking in his enclosure and playing with his fellow primates.
Newsflash/Bioparc Valencia 
Newsflash/Bioparc Valencia 
Newsflash/Bioparc Valencia 
Newsflash/Bioparc Valencia 
Newsflash/Bioparc Valencia
The toddler gorilla spends a lot of time with his mum Ali who carries him around on her back and looks after him.
According to local media, Felix is Ali’s second baby.
Ali is one of three females in the group and the other two are named Fossey and Nalani.
The park actively participates in the preservation of gorillas through its Bioparc Foundation.
Young Felix was named after Felix Rodriguez de la Fuente who was a “pioneer for the defence of the environment who transmitted love like no other, for animals and the need to maintain balance with nature”, according to a zoo statement.
Rodriguez De La Fuente became known in the Iberian country for his documentary series ‘El Hombre y la Tierra’ (‘Man and the Earth’).
He died aged 52 in a plane accident while filming a documentary in Alaska along with two other Spanish cameramen.
His daughter Odile Rodriguez De La Fuente keeps his legacy alive and she recently released a book entitled ‘Felix: Un Hombre en la Tierra’ (‘Felix: A Man on Earth’).
She sent a touching message to the young ape saying: “Dear Felix, I’m sending you my warmest wishes on your first birthday.
“A birthday which I am sure is the first of many that you will celebrate at Bioparc throughout your life where I know they will take care of you as one of their biggest attractions.”
The park is part of the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP) which is a breeding program that manages the population of animals of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria for threatened species.
The park is currently closed to keep everyone safe from the coronavirus pandemic.
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