Givskud Zoo - Gorilla Exhibit (Main)

Part of the main exhibit inside the Gorilla Exhibit in Givskud Zoo. This is the area where the daily feedings take place.

This exhibit houses a breeding group of western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) in one of the largest gorilla habitats in Europe. The outdoor exhibits feature tall grass and protected shrubs and trees. Visitors view the gorillas from behind a combination of water moats and glass viewing areas.

The whole Gorilla Exhibit is separated in two, a main and secondary exhibit, with a Gorilla House at the end. The main outdoor exhibit is 8000m2 while the secondary exhibit is 4000m2.

The Gorilla House was completed in 1998 when the original group moved here from Copenhagen Zoo and the whole exhibit opened for visitors in year 2000.

July 2012

The gorilla exhibits appear to be enormous at this Danish zoo, but how much of the area is actually accessible to the great apes? It looks great but there is also quite a bit of hotwire present (which is a necessity to maintain the undergrowth). At 2 acres in size the main habitat is certainly large and lush, and is there any European gorilla exhibit that is bigger? Are the daily feedings at the same time each day, and do the gorillas congregate in anticipation or are things varied for them?

Only a very small part of the 8000m2 that makes up the main exhibit are cut off by hotwire making around 95 % of the space available for the gorillas.

I have never seen or heard of one that is bigger in Europe but perhaps another forumster knows?

The gorillas do indeed assemble at the feeding area at the daily feeding time in the afternoon. However, at this time of day they are fed mainly snacks for the benefits of the visitors while a guide gives a talk about the gorillas.

Cabarceno has around 3.5 Acres. Might be Europe´s biggest.

Wow, that is massive! But it looks even more bare than Givskud's. It is actually kind of sad. It looks like a rainforest that has already been cleared which unfortunately is the prospect of many wild gorillas.

This is much more furnished than other Cabarceno´s exhibits. Most are just like this but without any foliage.
The enclousres are ok, because most are very bare but very big. I like the hoofstock padocks.