A new teenage male gorilla has arrived on the scene in London Zoo – and has already been spotted flirting with the females of the critically-endangered species.

Ham & High: Kumbuka, the new silverback gorilla at London Zoo. Picture: Polly HancockKumbuka, the new silverback gorilla at London Zoo. Picture: Polly Hancock (Image: Archant)

The 29-stone western lowland gorilla, called Kumbuka, arrived in London just two weeks ago from Paignton Zoo in Devon, and despite never having had a female mate before, hasn’t been backward in coming forward with Mjukuu and Effie, the zoo’s two female gorillas.

Ham & High: Kumbuka, the new silverback gorilla at London Zoo. Picture: Polly HancockKumbuka, the new silverback gorilla at London Zoo. Picture: Polly Hancock (Image: Archant)

Indeed, the 15-year-old is already proving to be a quite the personality. He likes to show off his impressive agility skills climbing around the Gorilla Kingdom gymnasium.

He also likes to indulge his more mischievous streak; he’s been spotted taking apart the toys he’s been given and even breaking the heavy branches that make up his climbing apparatus.

Gorilla keeper Daniel Simmonds said: “We’re all really excited by the arrival of Kumbuka here at ZSL London Zoo and he’s settling in really well.

“We’ve been slowly introducing him to our three females, and Mjukuu and Effie are already quite smitten with their handsome new roommate.

“He is proving to have quite a playful side to him; he loves to snap the branches on the smaller trees on their island and standing in the spray of the hosepipe when we clean his dens.”

It is hoped that seven-foot-tall Kumbuka will mate with the zoo’s females – helping to boost the numbers of this critically-endangered species in the European breeding programme.

He fills the gap left by previous male Kesho, who moved to Longleat Safari Park to be reunited with his brother Alf in a bachelor group.

Kumbuka will now act as leader of the troop at London Zoo, protecting the females and ensuring they’re all happy.