I had a nice visit to Howletts today. It has been several years since my last visit, but there have not been many changes. As usual I failed to spot any of the smaller cats, but another visitor kindly pointed out both of the margays for me. There were lots of
moloch gibbons including a very small baby, plenty of dusky langurs and 2 Javan langurs: but I did miss the other surillis. The numbers of big cats have waned over the years, but there were plenty of elephants. I saw 6 greater kudus, but they didn't all come out until just before closing time.
The unusual feature was that the main part of the old gorillarium was completely empty of gorillas. Sammi and his females were in the original range of gorilla cages, with all the doors between them open, but the bridges closed. I could see a single male, apparently on the blackback to silverback cusp, in the old chimp section at the back right of the gorillarium. At the gorilla talk, it was explained that this male is leaving for Melbourne tomorrow (Tuesday 30th). He has passed all the medical tests required, but he has to kept away from the others to prevent any possibility of infection. Infuriatingly I can't remember his name.
@ShonenJake13 has suggested to me that it was probably Kisane or Nkoumou, but I can't be sure and I couldn't even get a good look at him through all the wires as he was understandably restless. Anyway
bon voyage and good luck to him.
