Workers at the Changsha Zoo in Hunan province are busy preparing for some new tenants coming in from overseas: big apes.

Mountain gorillas are highly endangered wild animals in the world. There are about 380 in the Virunga Mountains of Rwanda. [File photo from Xinhua]

"If everything goes smooth, local residents and tourists will be able to meet the big gorillas this winter or next year's spring," said Xie Zhongsan, director of the zoo.

The gorillas weigh more than 300 kg each and are between 2.4 and 2.5 m tall. They will come from Africa or Holland and each one eats more than 25 kg of fruits and other foods per day.

A new home for gorillas is currently being built in the zoo. They will also enjoy an open-air playground.

Gorillas are vegetarians and are the world's largest apes.

(Xiaoxiang Morning Post April 23, 2009)