Duisburg Zoo - Gorilla Bush

A view into the Gorilla Bush exhibit by the Equatorium in Duisburg Zoo, Germany. This exhibit opened in 2002 and is approx. 1000 square meters (0.25 acres) in size. The species living in this exhibit are western lowland gorillas and De Brazza’s monkeys. This exhibit is one of the best for gorillas in Europe as it is spacious, lush, has many climbing structures and also an area with tree cover.

July 2009

Even though this exhibit is not extremely large (there are many 1-acre ape exhibits in the world now) I agree that it appears to be lush, densely covered in areas and quite acceptable for gorillas. How do the apes get along with the DeBrazza monkeys?

I have not heard of any problems with the De Brazza/gorilla mix but that does not mean that there are none. I have seen the two species sitting right next to each other practically ignoring the other.

One of the things I like about this exhibit is the large number of trees available for climbing as this is not a common feature in gorilla exhibits. What I would like to know is how much they actually use them...

Melbourne Zoo had three de brazzas with their gorillas but one was killed so now they are seperated. I had seen them a few times sharing the exhibit and having no problems.

Come to think of it Melbourne's accident is the only one I have heard.

@snowleopard. If course Duisburg was able to build a more spacious exhibit for the four or five gorilalls they keep now ( without the babies), but they had to stop keeping pymy hippos, bongos, kudus and much more animals for a much bigger exhibit. I guess, a lot of zoofans had said,!hey, why they have give up keeping pymy hippos, kudus and bongos ? " And How often I have to repeat it ? Size isn't the most important thing to keep animals. The structure and enviroment is much more important than the size. Or do want to live in a five room flat without any furniture and enviroment ? I would say, better a two room flat with bed, kitchen, toilet, bath and Tv...So why do you mean, this gorilla exhibit is only qiute acceptable ? I can't agree with that, because its one of the best in germany. How many german gorilla exhibits have you seen in reality ?

@Zebraduiker: the written word can sometimes be deceiving, as my "quite acceptable" quote means that I really like the appearance of this exhibit, it is definitely much more than average, and I trust Toddy's description of the gorilla habitat. I agree with your statement 100%, and it is wonderful to see so many excellent ape exhibits being built these days.

The gorilla outdoor area at the Äquatorium is definitely one of the best in Germany, 1000 sqm are enough for 1,3 adult gorillas + 0,0,2 infants.

Unfortunately the indoor exhibits at the Äquatorium are pretty small, especially the orang-utan and gorilla exhibits. Duisburg is keeping both orang-utan species (1,2 P. abelii, and 1,3 P. pygmaeus), only one very small outdoor area for both and pretty small indoor cages.

It's an odd house, because at the front is this stunning gorilla exhibit and a decent gibbon island, but the outdoor exhibits get more and more old-fashioned as you go further back (and not 'good' old-fashioned).

I hope seeing this exhibit in the flesh so to speak is as stunning as these photos depict.

Fantastic.

This is a good example of a gorilla enclosure that is not overly immersive but neets the needs of the inhabitants well. There are many zoos which keep their great apes in barren fields which could learn a thing or two from this enclosure. Not every zoo can have Congo gorilla forest, but I see no reason why this shouldn’t be the standard.