Two Gorillas with the same name at the same Zoo. The one in this photo is the '2nd Kumba' who came from London Zoo but was born at Jersey. He was the father of the first babies born at Chessington, Shani & Asili, now adult females who live in their group. He died accidentally while under anaethsetic for dental work. The current(older) Kumba is Chessington's own original male, who went to London in an exchange with the other one and was then returned to Chessington in 1995 after the 'Jersey' Kumba died.
The current Kumba was rejected by the group when he suffered a stroke. He recovered well and has been 'retired' from the group with his original mate'Baffia' who arrived at Chessington with him. Damisi has been brought in as the new breeding male for the group. I believe the old pair may stay in this cage when the new one is built.
The cage in this photo is the same basic cage as is there now. It has been extended slightly, with viewing windows, rockwork at the back and additional sleeping dens, but its basically the same cage. The back offshow daytime area where Kumba & Baffia normally live is the old Chimpanzee cage, now covered in.
