The LA Zoo is home to 3 of the 4 great apes: Gorillas, orangutans, and chimpanzees. Their habitats reflect some of their native ranges. Part of the modern LA Zoo master plan which spanned almost 20 years, these great apes have exhibits that don’t look remotely similar to each other. Usually I review one whole exhibit but due to the size and presence of one specie per exhibit, I decided to combine all 3, with each getting their time to shine.
Chimpanzees of Mahale Mountain(CMM):
The first of all the great apes to receive a modern home, CMM is home to one of the largest chimpanzee troops in the United States. Chimps varying in age, character, and appearance. Multiple viewing windows allow for visitors to gaze into the chimps home, at times can even appear to be sitting on top of the wooden support beams that hold up the front of the exhibit. A couple of simulated hollowed out wooden logs connect children to the inside of the exhibit, sometimes allow for chimps and children to be able to rest in the same area. Rocky cliff like formations against the elevated terrain allow for the chimps to keep an eye on the guests and a certain vantage point, the giraffes as well. An artificial termite mound is used for enrichment, allowing for smaller sized treats to be hidden amongst it. A wide panoramic view allows for guest to see the chimps without glass in the away, being separated by a moat as well as the stream of their waterfall. By this viewing area, there are large step like seatings for guests to sit back and watch the chimps socializing or be a part of the chimp chat performed daily around noon. If you don’t see many chimps out on exhibit, they can be found in their penthouse suite on the top the hill. They relax and will swing around or lay on the firefighter hoses hanging around the penthouse, it’s a much more closer but still are kept away from guests due to a large gap and fencing. Almost flawless in its concept, a couple issues do come about. The interactive screens and panels which had been previously used during its early years seem to just take up space and almost feels like a tease of the once very vibrant exhibit. Another issue is the glass windows appear to have been untouched in decades since its debut, allow for scratches and smudges to be visible. I know this issue will continuously be brought up, especially for the gorilla exhibit, but since my visits over more than 2 decades, I can’t really recall a time where they were ever polished. Nonetheless, this exhibit is a definite stop for anyone who has never seen chimpanzees or want to see an almost exact recreation of the natural habitat where chimpanzees come from.
Red Ape Rainforest(RAR):
Opening in 2000 and having undergone a recent renovation in 2015, RAR is home to the largest arboreal apes and also ranges with individuals spanning all different ages. The exhibit is really unlike any of the other great apes at the zoo: its perimeter is steel mesh fencing, reaching a larger height of a two story house. Based on the design of the complex, it’s divided into 3 pens. There are access points for entry near the top of the exhibit, connected by the mesh design and closed off to allow certain groups to be taking up the area during the entirety of the day. The different groups circulate on a daily basis, allowing for the apes to have access to the different enrichment areas. Large wooden platforms, almost seeming like a child’s play place staircase, can be easily traversed and gives them a better view of the outside world. Much like the chimpanzees, there are also firefighter hoses that allow for them to swing onto the mesh fencing and climb to the very top of the exhibit. A handful of benches can be located on the middle of the path of the whole exhibit, unfortunately not covered from the sun and can be rather hot to sit down and relax at all. Even with the recent renovations, it does feel like it’s perhaps the weaker exhibit of all the great apes. Each section does have different enrichment items but the main core to the structure of the exhibit is rather the same. It’s also on the rather small size. With various groups present, it appears at times like they don’t have much room to be truly arboreal. And lastly, the lack of vegetation, especially trees, makes it barren. It is in deep need of trees where they can ascend to and would give the whole exhibit more lively appeal for both visitors and the orangutans. The only type of landscaping present is grass in all the complex and there are flowering plants outside the exhibit perimeter.
Campo Gorilla Reserve(CGR):
The newest of the great ape exhibits, it’s my personal favorite of the apes and is a must stop every visit I do once weekly. Home to a bachelor group and a female group, they are frequently rotated amongst the different yards so that they can take advantage of their whole home. As you walk in, you’re welcomed to lush, jungle trees looming over the pathway that put you deep into the dense forests of East Africa. As you arrive to the first viewing area, it’s a fenced off area utilizing a moat. Multiple people can corral along the fence area and take in a wide view of the first area. Home to some palm like vegetation in the center, the gorillas have to traverse up the hill to make their way to the next habitat. Walking to the next area, similar in design to the first, is only slight smaller yet more steep in structure. With the moat system in place, the gorillas take advantage of sitting in the shade which is conveniently toward to the front. This allows for guests to be relatively close and able to see gorillas without obstruction of glass panels. Both viewing area have fallen trees that connect the lower front half of the exhibit to the top of the hill, allowing for the gorillas to walk up and down without having to walk up the hill. Walking down the path once again, there are two viewing areas separated a concrete wall, both being glass viewing windows. The advantage of these area is being able to be nose to nose with the gorillas. The first glass viewing window area is frequently visited by the angelino Silverback by the name of Kelly. Rather shy but with at times a short fuse, he is impressive and will frequently show off his physique along the glass wall. At this area, there is a small waterfall that feeds into a river, supplying water to every section of the exhibit. Very well shaded for the gorillas, it’s hindered by the sunlight hitting the glass from behind the visitors as they view the gorillas. The viewing glass area on the left side is more wide open, rolling upward to a semi steep hill. With less direct sunlight hitting the windows on the left side, you can take advantage of great photographs of gorillas being up close and seeing them walk along the hill which is magnificent. Lastly, it ends on top of a hill, perhaps the widest vantage point and can really welcome a crowd to see any gorillas that were visible from the glass window panels earlier on the path. More open air than any of the other viewing areas, it appears to have a larger moat compared to others. For positives, it’s truly a good exhibition of gorillas and allows for larger numbers of visitors to observe the whole group without ever seeming very congested. The pathway is immersive in the way that it feels as if you are actually walking in their forest. There are some negatives, one truly disturbing if not being remedied currently. For the starters, their environment is not a vibrant with foliage and even have areas where the grass appears dead. Remembering my earlier visits that spanned a few years since it’s opening in 2007, the grass was very green and did feel alive. Perhaps the botanical crew on the zoo grounds aren’t able to care for the grass properly or is just being neglected. A big negative is the presence of mice along the pathways. This may be an issue others zoos also experience but having visited this exhibit once a week for more than 2 months, every other visit, there can be mice seen running along the bushes and can pose a threat disease wise to the gorillas, which like the other great apes are endangered.
If I had to break down my favorite of the great apes exhibits, it would be: #1 Campo Gorilla Reserve, #2 Chimpanzees of Mahale Mountains, and #3 Red Ape Rainforest. The chimp exhibit is seen as a great exhibition and one that is frequently visited, some Zoochatters have expressed their liking to the exhibit. But the reason Campo Gorilla Reserve takes the number one spot is due to the more immersive feeling visitors are experiencing. Although it isn’t what many would consider a typical gorilla exhibit, it is a different take that admittedly has faults. Red Ape Rainforest is in dire need of a total reconstruction during the 20 year vision plan set to be finished by 2040 if on schedule. Great apes always draw the crowds in and helps establish the further protection of the species when cared for properly. For anyone who has an interest in seeing apes, Chimpanzees of Mahale Mountain and Campo Gorilla Reserve are stops to consider when visiting the LA Zoo. Will try to make more reviews happen faster if possible, other areas still to be reviewed include: Africa, Asia, South America, Children’s Zoo/Zoo Entry, Mixed Hoofstock, Play Park area exhibits. Please leave any comments, critiques, corrections. Hope to see any of you visiting the LA Zoo one day
Chimpanzees of Mahale Mountain(CMM):
The first of all the great apes to receive a modern home, CMM is home to one of the largest chimpanzee troops in the United States. Chimps varying in age, character, and appearance. Multiple viewing windows allow for visitors to gaze into the chimps home, at times can even appear to be sitting on top of the wooden support beams that hold up the front of the exhibit. A couple of simulated hollowed out wooden logs connect children to the inside of the exhibit, sometimes allow for chimps and children to be able to rest in the same area. Rocky cliff like formations against the elevated terrain allow for the chimps to keep an eye on the guests and a certain vantage point, the giraffes as well. An artificial termite mound is used for enrichment, allowing for smaller sized treats to be hidden amongst it. A wide panoramic view allows for guest to see the chimps without glass in the away, being separated by a moat as well as the stream of their waterfall. By this viewing area, there are large step like seatings for guests to sit back and watch the chimps socializing or be a part of the chimp chat performed daily around noon. If you don’t see many chimps out on exhibit, they can be found in their penthouse suite on the top the hill. They relax and will swing around or lay on the firefighter hoses hanging around the penthouse, it’s a much more closer but still are kept away from guests due to a large gap and fencing. Almost flawless in its concept, a couple issues do come about. The interactive screens and panels which had been previously used during its early years seem to just take up space and almost feels like a tease of the once very vibrant exhibit. Another issue is the glass windows appear to have been untouched in decades since its debut, allow for scratches and smudges to be visible. I know this issue will continuously be brought up, especially for the gorilla exhibit, but since my visits over more than 2 decades, I can’t really recall a time where they were ever polished. Nonetheless, this exhibit is a definite stop for anyone who has never seen chimpanzees or want to see an almost exact recreation of the natural habitat where chimpanzees come from.
Red Ape Rainforest(RAR):
Opening in 2000 and having undergone a recent renovation in 2015, RAR is home to the largest arboreal apes and also ranges with individuals spanning all different ages. The exhibit is really unlike any of the other great apes at the zoo: its perimeter is steel mesh fencing, reaching a larger height of a two story house. Based on the design of the complex, it’s divided into 3 pens. There are access points for entry near the top of the exhibit, connected by the mesh design and closed off to allow certain groups to be taking up the area during the entirety of the day. The different groups circulate on a daily basis, allowing for the apes to have access to the different enrichment areas. Large wooden platforms, almost seeming like a child’s play place staircase, can be easily traversed and gives them a better view of the outside world. Much like the chimpanzees, there are also firefighter hoses that allow for them to swing onto the mesh fencing and climb to the very top of the exhibit. A handful of benches can be located on the middle of the path of the whole exhibit, unfortunately not covered from the sun and can be rather hot to sit down and relax at all. Even with the recent renovations, it does feel like it’s perhaps the weaker exhibit of all the great apes. Each section does have different enrichment items but the main core to the structure of the exhibit is rather the same. It’s also on the rather small size. With various groups present, it appears at times like they don’t have much room to be truly arboreal. And lastly, the lack of vegetation, especially trees, makes it barren. It is in deep need of trees where they can ascend to and would give the whole exhibit more lively appeal for both visitors and the orangutans. The only type of landscaping present is grass in all the complex and there are flowering plants outside the exhibit perimeter.
Campo Gorilla Reserve(CGR):
The newest of the great ape exhibits, it’s my personal favorite of the apes and is a must stop every visit I do once weekly. Home to a bachelor group and a female group, they are frequently rotated amongst the different yards so that they can take advantage of their whole home. As you walk in, you’re welcomed to lush, jungle trees looming over the pathway that put you deep into the dense forests of East Africa. As you arrive to the first viewing area, it’s a fenced off area utilizing a moat. Multiple people can corral along the fence area and take in a wide view of the first area. Home to some palm like vegetation in the center, the gorillas have to traverse up the hill to make their way to the next habitat. Walking to the next area, similar in design to the first, is only slight smaller yet more steep in structure. With the moat system in place, the gorillas take advantage of sitting in the shade which is conveniently toward to the front. This allows for guests to be relatively close and able to see gorillas without obstruction of glass panels. Both viewing area have fallen trees that connect the lower front half of the exhibit to the top of the hill, allowing for the gorillas to walk up and down without having to walk up the hill. Walking down the path once again, there are two viewing areas separated a concrete wall, both being glass viewing windows. The advantage of these area is being able to be nose to nose with the gorillas. The first glass viewing window area is frequently visited by the angelino Silverback by the name of Kelly. Rather shy but with at times a short fuse, he is impressive and will frequently show off his physique along the glass wall. At this area, there is a small waterfall that feeds into a river, supplying water to every section of the exhibit. Very well shaded for the gorillas, it’s hindered by the sunlight hitting the glass from behind the visitors as they view the gorillas. The viewing glass area on the left side is more wide open, rolling upward to a semi steep hill. With less direct sunlight hitting the windows on the left side, you can take advantage of great photographs of gorillas being up close and seeing them walk along the hill which is magnificent. Lastly, it ends on top of a hill, perhaps the widest vantage point and can really welcome a crowd to see any gorillas that were visible from the glass window panels earlier on the path. More open air than any of the other viewing areas, it appears to have a larger moat compared to others. For positives, it’s truly a good exhibition of gorillas and allows for larger numbers of visitors to observe the whole group without ever seeming very congested. The pathway is immersive in the way that it feels as if you are actually walking in their forest. There are some negatives, one truly disturbing if not being remedied currently. For the starters, their environment is not a vibrant with foliage and even have areas where the grass appears dead. Remembering my earlier visits that spanned a few years since it’s opening in 2007, the grass was very green and did feel alive. Perhaps the botanical crew on the zoo grounds aren’t able to care for the grass properly or is just being neglected. A big negative is the presence of mice along the pathways. This may be an issue others zoos also experience but having visited this exhibit once a week for more than 2 months, every other visit, there can be mice seen running along the bushes and can pose a threat disease wise to the gorillas, which like the other great apes are endangered.
If I had to break down my favorite of the great apes exhibits, it would be: #1 Campo Gorilla Reserve, #2 Chimpanzees of Mahale Mountains, and #3 Red Ape Rainforest. The chimp exhibit is seen as a great exhibition and one that is frequently visited, some Zoochatters have expressed their liking to the exhibit. But the reason Campo Gorilla Reserve takes the number one spot is due to the more immersive feeling visitors are experiencing. Although it isn’t what many would consider a typical gorilla exhibit, it is a different take that admittedly has faults. Red Ape Rainforest is in dire need of a total reconstruction during the 20 year vision plan set to be finished by 2040 if on schedule. Great apes always draw the crowds in and helps establish the further protection of the species when cared for properly. For anyone who has an interest in seeing apes, Chimpanzees of Mahale Mountain and Campo Gorilla Reserve are stops to consider when visiting the LA Zoo. Will try to make more reviews happen faster if possible, other areas still to be reviewed include: Africa, Asia, South America, Children’s Zoo/Zoo Entry, Mixed Hoofstock, Play Park area exhibits. Please leave any comments, critiques, corrections. Hope to see any of you visiting the LA Zoo one day