The design of this exhibit has stood the test of time, with scarcely any significant changes. It was completed in 1970 and I think it is safe to say that more gorillas have been conceived in it than in any other structure on Earth.
The bridge on the right leads to the second large cage, which was built for the second breeding group. I suspect that it is rarely used. The bridges do allow animals to be moved between the large cages and the individual units in the old range relatively easily. Subsequently another pair of large cages was built for two more groups at the other end of the park.
@gentle lemur If I remember rightly, this enclosure was built as an extension for the original run of cages, while the brick indoor area on the right, plus small attached run was for the Chimpanzees. (The gorillas indoor area then still being the dens behind the old cages.) After the chimps went to PL the gorillas then utilised their indoors also. After the various early groupings, this enclosure then housed firstly the Djoum group(including Lomie from London) and then for many years, the Kouillou group and now the new small 'Sammi group', while the other enclosure has housed several different groups; the Bitam group then later Djala's group, and now Djanghou's group.
I've noticed in this photo that the rails for the keeper walkways now extend much further over the roof. I don't know if the connecting bridge has ever been used, as mostly there have been two seperate groups in these enclosures.
