Kent is now home to an orangutan following the arrival of eight-year-old Molly - and keepers say more of the great apes will soon be on their way.

The beautiful primate has been settling well into her new surroundings at Wingham Wildlife Park after arriving from Twycross Zoo in Leicester.

While she slowly familiarises herself with the new purpose-built enclosure, Molly isn't quite ready to meet the public but she should be venturing outside soon.

The park's animal collections curator Markus Wilder said: "We've been working on it for about a year so it's very nice to have Molly now here.

"She's got a brand new enclosure with a planted outdoor area.

"It's the first time she's been away from her mum and on her own - so she's got to get used to that. But she's been settling in very well."

The life expectancy for an orangutan is about 50 years. They are the most solitary of the great apes and are classed as critically endangered species threatened with extinction deforestation and hunting for the pet trade.

Mr Wilder added: "More orangutans will be joining her soon once we've got things finalised.

"We're acting as a transitioning stage for a breeding programme, where we bring in youngsters who would naturally be leaving their mums at that age.

"They still need to be nurtured for a few years before they are then ready to go elsewhere and be introduced to a partner.

"So while we won't be breeding orangutans here, we're playing a key part in their life overall.

"Therefore, there will always be orangutans here but it may not be the same ones each time visitors come."

However, Molly, who doesn't tend to get on well with other females, could buck that trend and become a mainstay at the park.

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