I would say that's going a little far. Is it attractive? Not particularly. Does it have enough vertical space? Not really, but at least it has trees and grass and ample space. "Awful" is not at all how I would describe this.
This exhibit has been recently renovated (ie moat filled in)....this enclosure was once divided length wise by a moat - bachelor gorilla on one side, chimps on the other. There was once a lot more vegetation, less now that tractors lived in his pen for awhile. Give it a few growing seasons...the rest of the zoo used to look like this a few years ago when they started their new horticulture program. As snowleopard may tell, the rest of the zoo is rather vegetated. This is still a work in progress.
What about this male being alone 24-7? I would be intrigued to see if the zoo goes all out and creates more vegetation in the enclosure, brings in females or bachelor males, or even goes out on a limb and erects a climbing structure. There is so much potential with the space allotted to this single gorilla...
All the fill is very new...Im sure the zoo has further plans for it. This male, like the other, as been introduced to other males with no successful results. He doesnt really play well with others. And no females can be brought it probably because this guy's genes are well-represented.
