As CZJimmy says, there is a moat as this is an enclosure called Gorilla Island. This enclosure is so much better than the original cages the zoo had right up to the 1990s. The gorillas have lots of room now.
I had seen the old enclosures. Very sad it seemed. Yet the gorillas seemed okay. I wonder how they feel about there new enclosure. Certainly space to get away from each other is a big plus.
Sadly, as you may know, the gorillas from the old enclosures never saw the gorilla island. I think I am right in saying that Daniel and Jason had already died at Bristol, Jeremiah moved to London, then Belfast and died, Diana moved to London and died, Eva and Asante moved to Twycross and Eva died.
A new group of gorillas were brought in for the opening of Gorilla Island, but there have been a few changes even since then. Unfortunately, I never got a photo of Undi and Claus's baby before he was sent to Stuttgart, but I have got photos of Undi, Claus and Bongo (Bobby) in my gallery, as well as the current gorillas (except Kera, as I haven't been there since she arrived). As you say, the space is a big advantage for them to be able to get some alone time.
Eva & Asante were only on breeding loan from Twycross. After being at Bristol a year 'Eva' finally became pregnant by 'Daniel'. 'Asante' joined them for a few months but not surprisingly, she was very scared of 'Daniel' and I doubt they ever mated. When 'Daniel' suddenly died, Twycross wanted their females back quickly as they were nervous of them staying any longer. After returning to Twycross 'Eva' later gave birth prematurely to a female baby which sadly only lived a few hours.
This photo also clearly shows the very small size of the silverback male 'Bongo/Bobby'(in the shelter)- 'Romina', a large female,(on the right) is as large as he was. He was probably stunted, perhaps from a bad diet during his early captive life in a circus.
Yes, he and Romina came from very antiquated accomodation in Rome Zoo to Bristol. After two years Bobby was exchanged with Jock from London. Jock is still at Bristol.
Bobby is the same gorilla who according to ZSL's press releases 'had never seen the open sky before he arrived at London'. Make of that that you will.
