Meet Japan's most 'handsome' gorilla

A gorilla who grew up in an Australian zoo has become a heartthrob among women in Japan.

This giant male gorilla is certainly a hit to the ladies

Meet Shabani the gorilla, who now lives in Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Nagoya, has attracted a large following of admirers who visit him because he is so 'handsome'.

The western lowland gorilla was raised at Sydney's Taronga Zoo but moved to Japan in 2007.

The hairy heartthrob lives in Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Nagoya - and is definitely the 'strong but silent' type.

Weighing in at 180kg, women from the furthest reaches country can't wait to see the muscular swinger in the flesh.

According to reports, there is a constant crowd of female fans outside his enclosure, desperate for a glimpse of the giant ape.

The 18-year-old silverback wows fans with brooding good looks and rippling muscles.

The tall drink of water has not always been so popular, but a flurry of posts on social media of his dramatic poses and steely gaze propelled him to stradom.

The famous gorilla strikes pose as fans gathered around to watch him

Young women all over Japan are using the phrase イケメン (Ikemen) when talking about the ape.

It is a word usually reserved for speaking about handsome young men, but in this gorilla's case they make an exception.

Taronga Zoo senior zookeeper Allan Schmidt said Shabani was moved to Australia from The Netherlands as a two-month-old in December 1996 with his family. When asked if he was surprised by Shabani's popularity he said: 'No because the Japanese are crazy... The Japanese love their fads.'

He added: 'I would say most people would consider him fairly dashing.'

Mr Schmidt said Shabani was moved to Japan to mate with three female gorillas, where he has had two healthy male offspring.

Shabani has lived at the Japanese zoo since 2007, but has only recently become so popular, Rocket News 24 reported. Pictures of the gorilla posted online capture him in moments where he appears to be flexing his muscles, taring broodingly into the distance or playing with the younger gorillas.

However, his popularity has even led Higashiyama Zoo to use Shabani as a poster boy for its latest advertising campaign.

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