New home for urban gorillas

By Mario Cacciottolo
BBC News

Robin Fitzgerald gets up close and personal with Bobby the gorilla

People have always had a fascination with primates. Maybe this is because they share about 98% of their genes with humans, or perhaps it's just that they were funny in the PG Tips adverts.

Now the new Gorilla Kingdom at London Zoo offers little monkeys of the human variety the chance to get up close with three gorillas who inhabit the new space, created at a cost of £5.3m.

Upon first approaching the area it can seem rather exposed - initially there seems to be a large gorilla ambling about on a patch of grass not far from the public path.

But on closer inspection it is clear that Bobby, a 23-year-old western lowland gorilla, is being kept at bay by a moat around what is known as the island, - the stretch of water being five metres (16ft) wide at its narrowest point and 2.1 metres (7ft) deep.

Halfway across there is also an electric fence, should the gorillas make it that far, but this is unlikely as they cannot swim.

It seems, therefore, quite safe, and the moat area alone took four months to design, incorporating features to allow the animals to climb out again should they fall in.

Viewing area

Up ahead is a large building, covered in beige wooden panels with shapes cut out which seem identical to those used in the old Tetris computer game, if you can remember that 1980s classic.

Inside this area are large glass walls, 57mm (2.25in) thick, behind which the day gym, as it is called, is clearly visible, filled with trees and with ropes strung up.

Tracey Lee, team leader for the Mammals South section of London Zoo, says the trees were literally hand picked to ensure they were appropriate for the primates' comfort.

"I walked through part of a forest in Colchester that was due to be felled, and chose the trees that were V shaped and also that would be soft for the gorillas' hands.

"There is plenty of space for them across this new enclosure and there is also a back area, away from the public, where they can go if they want some peace and quiet."

The gorillas are able to exercise in the day gym

Ms Lee also then talks about the gorillas having "bedrooms" and how their beds have specially-designed wire mesh that is flexible and comfortable when sat upon.

She also points out large flat "hot rocks," where the animals "can sit and warm their bum" and also mentions a paddling pool out in the island area.

The new enclosure will not please everybody - international wildlife charity Born Free, for example, would rather the zoo phased out its keeping of gorillas in captivity and invested more in wild habitat conservation.

The zoo, however, argues that it raises money for overseas projects - and also says the public can benefit from the new set-up.

"When the gorillas put their hands on the glass, children can put their hands on the other side as well and compare sizes," says Ms Lee, pointing out hand print smudges.

The Gorilla Kingdom was opened by the Duke of Edinburgh, and after his departure there were still plenty of photographers around, all vying for a good spot from which they could take pictures of Bobby and Zaire, a 32-year-old female gorilla who were chilling in the day gym.

Both primates examined the goings-on with a rather aloof air as they sat inches away, right up against the other side of the glass wall.

It was clear that the watchers were also being watched themselves.

Zaire was once scrutinised very closely by movie star Andy Serkis, who used her as the basis for his movements in the movie King Kong, in which he portrayed the giant ape.

The actor has said that Zaire "fell in love" with him during the two-and-a-half months that he spent watching her.

Certainly visitors can get up close and personal now in what, for an urban zoo, is the best recreation of the natural habitat for gorillas Robin Fitzgerald, project manager

Robin Fitzgerald is project manager for Gorilla Kingdom, which took two years and one month to create.

The final space covers 1,600 sq metres outdoor and 250 sq metres indoors, whereas the old enclosure totalled 250 sq metres.

"We wanted to recreate a forest bai, which is the clearing at the edge of a forest," said Mr Fitzgerald.

Unfortunately the London weather is distinctly not very tropical, as a blanket grey sky begins to shed slivers of icy rain.

"The temperature in the day gym is 28 degrees," says Mr Fitzgerald, which explains why the gorillas have spent much of the morning in there, somewhat to the envy of those shivering outside.

"But we can also use misters to make it rain inside as well."

Tracey Lee said Zaire formed a friendship with actor Andy Serkis

Mr Fitzgerald also said the zoo hopes to eventually have a family group of 10 to 12 gorillas in residence.

The two gorillas currently living here also share the space with Effie, a 14-year-old whom the keepers hope will mate with Bobby.

"If that happens then we can close off some areas to give privacy to the new mum as she gets used to her baby."

The zoo's project manager then beams as proudly as any expectant father.

"It will be great if we have little ones in there that the public can see growing up.

"Certainly visitors can get up close and personal now in what, for an urban zoo, is the best recreation of the natural habitat for gorillas."