Fresh (brand new?) ropes are strung between the dead trees in this photo. Presumably for the Colobus Monkeys to use? Have the Gorillas & Colobus ever used the island at the same time? What is the current situation?
I didn't really understand the newer ropes either, I assume they're probably for the gorillas to play around with as well as the colobus if/when they're integrated. The mixing seems a long way off to add such low hanging ropes for the colobus from now. From what I was told, a few attempts had been made to integrate them at the beginning but it was realised that the initial encounters have to be done very gradually. Not wanting to completely lose the opportunity to have them in a mixed exhibit, the keepers are slowly 'making progress' with elementary introductions but have no idea on when the animals will actually be together. I heard this from a keeper about a month ago, so I hope things have changed at least a little bit.
Was just looking at some pics of Valencia Bioparc and their mixed Gorilla 'Bai' exhibit. it is very bare and open but looks like they share it with antelope and White-collared Mangabeys (and Hamlyn guenon as well)
I wonder why ZSL don't try their WC Mangabeys with the Gorillas, either with or instead of the Colobus? It would certainly make for a more interesting exhibit than they have at present. I have a feeling other zoos get these mixed exhibits up & running a lot quicker than ZSL who seem to have gone backwards- two years since GK opened and its still not a mixed exhibit, currently there is no Silverback gorilla either.
