Not sure if this statue was modelled on Taronga gorillas but the silverback looks like Kibabu in his later years; and the female gives me Frala vibes with the saggital crest.
Personal memory reliabity for not entirely confident to state is accurate date wise (based on age when first saw), but from 'a stretch' when did go to see them/meet them in February '97 for first time, not long after the Frala, Kriba, Mouila, Kibabu & co had gone on public display, think the statues were always there and part of the initial thematic landscaping of the exhibit complex.
Although like you point out the silverback male's features are more like Kibabu when was older as opposed to when he was 19 yo like when he arrived. Just realised too in order for those statues to of been constructed prior to the official opening its likely a likeness cast would of had to be artistically designed courtesay of someone able to see them at Apenhaul in the Netherlands...well or photographs and or artistic etchings of Frala and Kibabu lol.
Sorry that can't 'bank' personal recollection timeframe-wise to be completely reliable; perhaps was later on and getting memory timeline misconstrued.
Took a photo of younger brother next to Gorilla statue there but was a few years later c.1999 and not sure if was same statues as can't find photo now, just remember taking around then.
@steveroberts Thanks for sharing. Although each of the females arrived with a juvenile and infant in tow, Kibabu and Frala produced the first infant born at Taronga Zoo - a male that was born and died in March 1998. Maybe the statue was commissioned in 1996/1997 with that in mind.
@Zoofan15
Was sorry their baby boy died so young, but yeah makes sense with them as artistic likeness inspiration for statues replicating if he was the newest addition to the family group at the time
