'Jersey' gorilla Julia dies after Melbourne Zoo attack

Julia, 33, was attacked by a young "inexperienced" silverback called Otana

A female gorilla raised in Jersey has been killed by a male gorilla in an "unexpected level of aggression".

Julia, 33, was attacked by a young "inexperienced" silverback called Otana and died of her injuries after the attack in Australia.

She moved from Durrell Wildlife Park to Melbourne Zoo in 1997 and gave birth to a female called Jumatano.

Melbourne Zoo said "devastated" staff had been offered counselling "to help them through this difficult time".

'Extensive trauma'

In a statement it said: "Silverbacks assert their dominance as a normal part of their behaviour.

"In this instance, the results of the aggression Otana displayed towards Julia on Friday were unexpected and unprecedented."

Melbourne Zoo said "devastated" staff had been offered counselling "to help them through this difficult time"

Staff found Julia on Saturday morning and she "appeared to be unwell" although "no wounds were visible".

The vet team found that she had "experienced extensive trauma" and "significant complications resulting from the aggression", she died at 03:00 local time.

Durrell Wildlife Park has so far been unavailable for comment.