They do use the trees they are often seen half way up and watching what's going on around the enclosure and swing from the ropes. Colobus monkeys where also suppose to share the island which would have increased the use more however they escaped and the colobus breeding and the introduction of a new silverback which unfortunately died since being introduced seems to have stopped ZSL mixing the species however I hope they try again soon.
The hotwire has been moved as the grass has established and is now at the waters edge.
I dont know much about Gorrilla's but from this photo, the enclosure looks pritty good, is it? Has it got so many tree's now, could someone fill me in with Gorilla exhibit quality and Gorilla enclosure requirements?
I dont know much about Gorrilla's but from this photo, the enclosure looks pritty good, is it? Has it got so many tree's now, could someone fill me in with Gorilla exhibit quality and Gorilla enclosure requirements?
The main planted areas to the right and rear of this photograph have always been cordoned off by a 4ft high electric fence. I imagine in a few years it may be possible for the gorillas to reach and pick various foliage to eat, as most of these plants were designed to be of use to the gorillas, yet for now they are not accessible to them:
The foreground and the moat area that leads up to the house on the other side of the island did have some hotwire almost designed to look like grasses, it is not clear whether these remain as the area you see newly-turfed in this photograph is now very well-established and looks like this:
The foreground and the moat area that leads up to the house on the other side of the island did have some hotwire almost designed to look like grasses, it is not clear whether these remain as the area you see newly-turfed in this photograph is now very well-established and looks like this:
@johnstoni, thank-you
I had assumed from this photo that the "hot grass" (as it is called commercially) was to protect the new sod (as it is called in the US ). But hot grass is more expensive than electric fence so it may be intended to remain as a way to keep the gorillas from the water (is the moat deep or is it just a shallow stream?)
Zooplantman;328731 But hot grass is more expensive than electric fence so it may be intended to remain as a way to keep the gorillas from the water (is the moat deep or is it just a shallow stream?)[/QUOTE said:
Last time I went I didn't notice the 'hot grass' anymore but not sure if its been removed or just hidden by the grown vegetation. The moat is deep water (with steps gorillaside), not a shallow stream.
This enclosure has been able to flourish vegetation-wise as due to the unlucky losses of two successive male Gorillas, since it opened its mostly been used by just three animals. London really have been bedevilled by bad luck with trying to establish a proper group in this, one of their flagship exhibits.
The artificial stream in the first link feeds the moat that goes round the edge of the outdoor exhibit with the exception of the glass viewing gallery and indoor quarters (these are glass and brick walls respectively as you can see from photographs). I believe the gorillas still have access to this stream.
