The four baby gorillas were believed to have been captured in the wild and smuggled out of Nigeria.

The International Primate Protection League (IPPL) told the Sunday Star that the Limbe Wildlife Centre in Cameroon was a better option as it has a good record with rescued gorillas.

IPPL director Shirley McGreal raised doubt about Pretoria Zoo's capability in taking care of gorillas.

She said two infants died shortly after their birth in the zoo in 1989 and 1990, one due to a fractured skull. Three adult gorillas, born in the wild, died in the zoo in 1995, 1997 and 1998 respectively, she said.

"Hobbit, the lone male, is the only one in Pretoria. He has been alone for more than six years and whether he could accept another gorilla is questionable. As you can see, this zoo has not bred any gorillas," she said.

She urged Malaysia to verify the situation and to visit the Limbe centre, which has just received a 54,000 dollar grant to build a new gorilla compound.

"IPPL believes the best solution for the gorillas is the Limbe Wildlife Centre, not a zoo," she added.

TERRA.WIRE