In the new Bristol Zoo history book (which is excellent!) there is mention of the fact that "larger facilities will also be constructed for the growing number of western lowland gorillas". Are there are plans afoot for that exhibit, or is it still a long-term goal? The current gorilla island is not very old at all (late 1990's) and so is it more of a case of the zoo acknowledging its breeding success or has the exhibit become outdated already?
In the new Bristol Zoo history book (which is excellent!) there is mention of the fact that "larger facilities will also be constructed for the growing number of western lowland gorillas". Are there are plans afoot for that exhibit, or is it still a long-term goal? The current gorilla island is not very old at all (late 1990's) and so is it more of a case of the zoo acknowledging its breeding success or has the exhibit become outdated already?
I think its referring to the indoor accomodation only and probably comes from the published plans for future developments. The outdoor Island is very spacious and quite large enough for several more Gorillas than the seven they currently have- a new baby, their third in this current group, was born last week. The females and juveniles do tend to use it more than 'Jock' the adult male- he's an 'inside' Gorilla.
In case you didn't know, the House is the old converted Elephant/Giraffe House, an old Victorian building modernised inside for the Gorillas(one side) and Okapis on the other. The Gorilla inside is on the site of the old Elephant area but is comparatively small with two floor-to- ceiling but quite narrow exhibition dens and one small offshow one. I believe they plan to annex the existing Okapi stalls(formerly Giraffe) for the Gorillas too, though there's no mention in the plans of where the Okapi will go. Bongo are marked on the plan for the outside Okapi paddock and would presumably use as their inside, the modern wooden stable already in the paddock. The Okapi area is on the other side of the public thoroughfare through the House, but could be linked by modifying an existing overhead bridge/tunnel which was built for the Gorillas.
The changes to the indoor House are planned within the next year or two from what it says on the plans. One subadult female Gorilla will need to leave, but one or possibly two new babies are likely during that period.
What they would do with the Okapi if this plan for the Gorilla House materialises, remains a mystery. There's no new place for them in the Zoo shown on the plans. Obviously they could move them to Hollywood but if there's no 'Conservation Centre' open they would be offshow- quite a big loss as an exhibit for the Zoo in that case.
The 'National Conservation Centre' has, not surprisingly perhaps, gone very quiet at present.
