I read somewhere that some of the Gorillas have never come outside in this exhibit(or didn't for several years anyway) because it is very open to the sky. I think it would benefit a lot from more planting- bamboo, more small trees etc and less rocks, to make it visually more friendly- as well as more usable to the occupants.
It is a bit odd exhibit if you ask me; the indoor Chimpanzee exhibit is all right but otherwise not everything seems to be all right in the way they design ape exhibits. But this is just my personal taste and if they breed there, then that's it. However, I think nothing beats Cologne's ape exhibits of those I've seen in Germany. Their ape house is just a forever classic that could work for decades to come.
Home to 8 gorillas, led by silverback Roututu, with his 4 females, senior Ellen, motherly Bagira, Stuttgart nursery reared Neema and Sonja, juveniles Makena and Sadiki, and baby Kajulu.
