Melbourne’s favourite silverback gorilla, Yakini, celebrates his 19th birthday

Melbourne’s favourite silverback gorilla has enjoyed a couple of birthday bags to celebrate his big 'one-nine'.

One year wiser and with a few extra silver hairs, Yakini was gifted colourfully painted birthday sacks filled with popcorn, cereal and dried fruits.

His younger brother, Ganyeka and his father, Motaba, also took part in the banquet receiving treats to help celebrate the special occasion.

Yakini was possible the most adored public figure in Melbourne in 1999  when he was born at Melbourne zoo.

Kathleen Scanlon, keeper at Werribee Open Range Zoo praised Yakini for his strong, calming presence within the gorilla troop.

“As a leader, he sits back and assesses situations. He’s very patient and measured with his younger brother,” she said.

“Gorillas are actually often very passive, and Yakini is the epitome of his species in this way.”

Yakini and his family are important ambassadors for Western Lowland gorillas in the wild – a species whose population has been decimated by the destructive mining of a metallic ore called coltan.