This a scene that we would never witness in an American zoo. What exactly is going on here? People actually go in with the gorillas? Including the silverback and adult females, or just young ones like in the photos?!!!!!
This a scene that we would never witness in an American zoo. What exactly is going on here? People actually go in with the gorillas? Including the silverback and adult females, or just young ones like in the photos?!!!!!
Paignton only have males, no females. I'm sure they only go in sometimes with the younger ones. Historically keepers have gone in with the younger Gorillas at several Uk zoos (and probably in Europe too) e.g. Howletts, Blackpool, Jersey, Bristol etc though increasingly its a thing of the past nowadays. Young males up to the age of about 8 are usually 'safe' and some adult females are 'safe' throughout their lives. Very few adult males are though.
I'm interested tht no-one goes in with younger Gorillas in zoos in the USA. Is that a blanket ruling everywhere?
Another difference between USA and European Gorilla management I have heard is that apparently in the USA only mature males of 18+ are normally chosen as group leaders- in Europe much younger males are often used but I think the american way is much preferable- males under about the age of 15 are just not mature enough to be effective in the role.
I have never heard of people going into an exhibit with younger gorillas. I'm sure that there is interaction between barriers (e.g., bars, openings in doors, etc.), but not in public exhibits like in this photo. Someone else who knows the US gorilla management plan would need to comment if this is absolutely true across all institutions. When baby gorillas are raised in nurseries there is interaction obviously, but I think this stops once they are reintroduced to their troops as juveniles.
Several of the younger males at Paignton were hand-reared and this photo may have been taken while one of them ones was being introduced into the group. The same thing happened when the hand-reared female Kera was introduced to the group at Bristol.
Several of the younger males at Paignton were hand-reared and this photo may have been taken while one of them ones was being introduced into the group. The same thing happened when the hand-reared female Kera was introduced to the group at Bristol.
Yes, I can't think of anywhere in the UK where they routinely do this anymore- maybe not even at Howletts(?). On the 'zookeeper' programmes about Paignton some years back, when Mambie(from Twycross) was being introduced you saw the keepers trying to cheer him up with a football, and it was the first time I'd seen people 'in' with a Gorilla for a long time.
I can remember in the earlier days of breeding at Jersey the handraised babies were often displayed on the lawn, and the keepers frequently 'went in' with the handraised youngsters Zaire, Bamenda and Tatu. Also in the 'zookeeper' programmes, when the keeper from Paington went over to Jersey to collect the young male Mapema for the Paignton male group, they actually meet him in the ApeHouse kitchen- Mapema was already seven years old and quite big, but seemed very affable.
As a follow up to being handreared the Gorillas had contact when they arrived at Paignton. As they get used to being de-humanised they then start to form frienships and enjoy each others company. Whilst in the begining they have a strong bond with there human keepers and to slowly break the close bond playtime was something they all looked forward to and enjoyed, but like children playtime has to end and playing became quite rough and tumble,the gorillas got boisterous and do not know there own strength. They could still go in with N'Dowe but it would create jealosy and resentment amongst the others so the bonds will never truly be broken but the hands on does not happen...........They are now Gorillas..........
