DEPUTY head of primates at Colchester Zoo, Gemma Kariuki also works with slightly less hairy creatures in her new role as a massage therapist.

And she says the two are not that different.

Gemma has worked at the zoo for more than seven years and is now starting work as a holistic massage therapist in the evenings from her home in Colchester.

Gemma, who studied agriculture at Bicton College in Devon, says: “Working with monkeys means you see they are not that different from us. They have real human characteristics and they have a sense of humour.

“They definitely know when they are annoying you and being cheeky and love to mess around.

“It’s a bit like looking after eight children.

“Chimps and orangutans can be dangerous, but we can get closer to the spider monkeys and the squirrel monkeys.”

Gemma, 27, of Cambrai Road, Colchester, qualified as a holistic aromatherapist this year and subsequently set up business, Essential Soul, which she now runs from her home. She says: “As with working in the zoo, I think the most important thing is to care for those you work with. I hope to also do that in massage.

“I want to specialise in massage for people with special conditions, depression, pregnant mothers and baby massage, as well as people with disabilities.”

Visit www.essentialsoul. vpweb.co.uk or call 07799 617899 for details.