Very much so. Kifu is a son of Kijo, the first Gorilla born at Howletts who also had a very gentle temperament and was another one they went in regularly with too (also Djoum). But another silverback- Bitam- was apparently very good natured too but never learnt to control his strength during play so they couldn't go in with him.
Its interesting that these Silverbacks' relationship with people seems far less inhibited than with their own group members who are usually very respectful of the male, and he normally only plays with youngsters. With people 'Kifu' seems to 'drop his guard' and embrace and play in a more uninhibited 'juvenile' fashion. Its probably because only humans, not other gorillas relate to him in that way.
Several years ago, the day after I saw Damien Aspinall and the senior keeper go in with Kifu, I went to Port Lympne and heard a gorilla keeper give a talk as Djala and his group were fed in the afternoon. One of the visitors asked if they ever went in with the group - the keeper replied that they did not because Djala had 'made it very clear that he would not stand for it'.
I don't think that anyone who has seen Djala or knows his history would be surprised by that.
The keeper replied that they did not because Djala had 'made it very clear that he would not stand for it'.
I don't think that anyone who has seen Djala or knows his history would be surprised by that.
Alan
Djala was mistreated badly by children in Africa before he was rescued. It obviously left a lasting impression as he still seems to hate noisy children and crowds even now, all these years later.
I think possibly only three Silverbacks at Howletts have been 'people-friendly' enough to go in with; Djoum, Kijo & Kifu. Aspinall told me they didn't go in with 'Mumbah' because he was 'just to strong for us' and Bitam was friendly but couldn't 'tone down his play'. Koulliou is very orientated toward people, but I once saw the vet walk past him and K was instantly transformed into a wild animal again!
I know its a very conflicting issue, But John Aspinall is my hero i believe very strongly in the methods he set up with the Keeper-Animal Bonding. - The Keeper deaths i agree should not of happened and with the two tiger maulings but they where accidents.
But Howletts as i found out a few weeks ago is the best Zoo i have visited and it will be very hard to beat!
This is just what i believe in
I realize that there are some staunch supporters of Howletts on this forum, but seeing an elderly man (sadly deceased) romping around inside a metal cage with some apes is not entirely educational. Surely more spacious and naturalistic exhibits such as the ones at Seattle, Woodland Park, Disney's Animal Kingdom and Leipzig better recreate a gorilla's natural enivonment and thus the public can become better educated in terms of habitat preservation and animal conservation. All of the ugly metal, children's slides and other toys have some merit to keep the apes occupied, but I'm still not convinced that it makes a great zoo exhibit. The Howletts style of keeping gorillas, for better or worse, is barely in evidence thoughout many zoos worldwide.
Within the past 5 years i have had the pleasure of spending several months on occasions within the united states with some familly. I have visited several zoological gardens including San diego , Disney animal kingdom , the national zoo , amongst others and although they looked oh so pretty and natrual i cannot compare them to Howletts and Port lympne. I have a far higher opinion of Howletts and Port lympne then of the several zoos i have mentioned above. I think what you amongst other well meaning zoochatters forget is that Howletts and Port lympne do more then just create natrualistic enclosures which resemble artificially their natrual habitat , the Aspinall parks actually return many of their Gorillas to the wild. John Aspinall i believe was opposed to a commercial enterprise out of his zoos , thats why many of the enclosures arent to be confused with crowdpleasing exhibits, the animals seem to be more then happy in their enclosures. I have gained more knowledge and respect for gorillas from watching them in their ugly , metal , childish enclosures as you so eloquently put , then i ever got from walt disneys animal kingdom or the multitude of zoos i have visited in the United states.
Indeed, these cages show how gorillas behave, not showing them sitting in limited space amongst hotwired trees. Other zoos haven't copied it because the cages are more expensive to build than islands and they don't look pretty for the public.
That is right my friend , i have fond memories of watching the Howletts gorillas and chimpanzees *when there was , in their enclosures they seem to behave more natrually and content at howletts then they do in the other zoological gardens ive been to.
All valid points Jimmy and Ashley, and I won't dispute anything that you stated in your replies. I knew when I made my original comment that there would be an instant message defending the famous Howletts-style gorilla exhibits...haha. I have pointed out on other threads that the type of ape enclosures that are found at Howletts and Port Lympne are simply not in existence at North American zoos, and with the exception of the Columbus Zoo I cannot think of even one other collection that has their apes in a metal cage atmosphere. It could well be the fact that North American zoo fans and European zoo fans tend to experience a variety of different aspects in their respective zoos on either side of the Atlantic. I understand that when I visit a major collection on the continent where I live that I expect to see lots of greenery, trees and a naturalistic environment, and that is perhaps why it would be hard to justify a zoo like I mentioned earlier (Woodland Park, DAK, San Diego, Atlanta, Busch Gardens) opening a brand new gorilla habitat that was all metal and full of hay and toys. That might well be terrific for the inhabitants of the cage, and perhaps in some ways the old-style cages are the best thing for the gorillas, but it would simply never work for zoo visitors in North America.
well actually i found the complete reverse snowleopard and technically as a Mexican my country should be considered part of the north american continent. I visited many zoos in the united states over the years and they all just struck me as being second best to howletts in fact to my mind they simply werent in the same league. When i go to a zoo anywhere in the world it is the resident animals contentment which pleases me. Howletts do far more then building artificial crowd pleasing pretty enclosures to resemble the Gorillas natrual habitat , Howletts return their Gorillas to their natrual habitats. That is a far more noble thing in my opinion.
