Hi KCZooFan, unlike many animals in a zoo, l definitely think through a relatively short observation time you can see if a gorilla is "happy" as l am also confidant that through observation you can determine if a gorilla is stressed or "un happy".
A very good point you make, and it is easy to tell in more extreme cases if a gorilla is upset or stressed. But I think past a certain point, gorillas behave more or less the same. It just seemed a that "beacause the gorillas look happy" is a poor excuse for an exhibit.
A very good point you make, and it is easy to tell in more extreme cases if a gorilla is upset or stressed. But I think past a certain point, gorillas behave more or less the same. It just seemed a that "beacause the gorillas look happy" is a poor excuse for an exhibit.
I'd say this is a perfectly adequate indoor area for Gorillas. It is light and spacious- looking and equally important, they have realised that being heavy-bodied creatures, Gorillas prefer heavy solid surfaces to move on, hence the thick artificial logs and only a few plastic ropes etc. Many zoos still clutter their Gorilla enclosures with cargo nets and other paraphernalia the Gorillas rarely use because they don't like the lack of support, and which also obscure the view/make them harder for visitors to see. I also far prefer to see, as here, a simple small pile of hay for them to sort through, rather than a range of untidy rags/sacking, boxes, plastic bottles and other 'enrichments' some zoos fill their enclosures with and which look like so much litter, especially after the Apes have lost interest, which they do quickly. Woodchip flooring is increasingly popular in indoor Gorilla exhibits too but some zoos make the mistake of use poorer(cheaper) quality material, which is too dry/dusty, or sharp for the Gorillas' tender feet to the extent they avoid walking on it. I think for cleaning purposes too a plain floor, as seen here, can still be more effective overall.
The one thing I can't see in this photo are any high resting areas/platforms or raised metal/mesh 'nest baskets' -there may be some out of view, perhaps, but Gorillas certainly do like to use these where they are provided.
I think whether the Gorillas are happy (I prefer to use the word 'content' in this context) or not depends rather more on their social grouping and whether they are content within that or not, than the actual surroundings they live in. So a cohesive family-related Gorilla group kept in relatively poor surroundings (example;Chessington UK) is probably preferable(for the Gorillas) to the best exhibit in the World which won't make the occupants happy/contented if their social conditions aren't right.
The only thing I'm not clear about is what the pink material above the display windows is for- are they drop-down blinds for preventing reflections in the glass?
Pertinax, yes the windows all have roll-up shades that can be closed from time to time.
Overall, the Columbus Gorilla areas, both indoor and outdoor, are quite good IMO. The portion in the photo is probably about 1/6 the total indoor area. For those of you who haven't been in person, the building is an octagon with the animal areas around the outside and the guest area in the center. The windows completely encircle the guest area, with the hallways in and out of the main area passing directly under the gorilla's portals between rooms.
