Adult male eastern lowland gorilla (graueri), undoubtedly the handsomest gorilla I have ever seen. Tropical House Island (now part of red river hog enclosure), 5th August 1974.
Ektachrome transparency, scanned to PhotoCd and corrected.
Adult male eastern lowland gorilla (graueri), undoubtedly the handsomest gorilla I have ever seen. Tropical House Island (now part of red river hog enclosure), 5th August 1974.
Ektachrome transparency, scanned to PhotoCd and corrected.
I never think Eastern Lowlands are as attractive looking as the other (sub)species. He would certainly have been the largest Gorilla in UK at the time though, by dint of his species (or subspecies).
I saw and photographed 'Kumbuka' several times at Paignton and once at London - and I hope to do so again of course. He is very handsome compared to most other males of nominate subspecies, but no match for 'Mukisi' to my eyes. As Pertinax says graueri males are generally larger, but the key features for me are the jet black coat which contrasts with the silver back and the length of the hairs which define the crest and cheekbones so dramatically
but the key features for me are the jet black coat which contrasts with the silver back and the length of the hairs which define the crest and cheekbones so dramatically
You are talking overall animal, I was thinking facially. He was certainly very striking, particularly as after Noelle died, he was the only one in the UK until he left.
Quiz time- apart from colour, size, coat etc, what single facial feature distinguishes Western and Eastern gorillas?
