"Free contact" with the gorillas?!

"Free contact" with the gorillas?!
02-12-2008

A few years ago a female gorilla from Dublin Zoo was transfered to Givskud Zoo in Denmark. On Danish television I saw how her Irish keeper went out to her in the outdoor exhibit (a horrible exhibit - see Dublin Zoo's Gorilla enclosure in 1999 ) together with her future Danish keeper (who seemed a bit reluctant...). But they sat there together with her, feeding her treats etc.

Now, was this an exception; was this practised only with this particular gorilla?

Gorilla Dublin
02-12-2008

This was only done with this Gorilla Sally,she came to Dublin and was hand-reared and did not get on with the Sliverback.Although the exhibit is not great,they do get on quite well in it,another baby is due any day now,fifth baby born,also a hand-reared gorilla from Stutgart successfully introduced into the group. A new Gorilla exhibit is being built at present and will open hopefully late 2009.

03-12-2008

I sort of suspected that. If I remember correctly Sally was low in rank in the Dublin group, but made it to the top at Givskud, becoming the dominant female.

Nice to hear that a new exhibit is on its way! Any good links to it?

04-12-2008

no links at the moment dan when there up ill let ya know.It is planned to be a mixed exhibit with some other primate,it will be a lot bigger than the exhibit,and yes sally was the lowest ranked female while at dublin,lovely animal though!!

04-12-2008

Sounds great!

05-12-2008

Sally/Salome was born in Frankfurt and had lived in their group a long time before being sent to Dublin, along with the male Horst/Harry. It is strange he disliked her so much as they had lived in the same group at Frankfurt. Sally was transferred to Givskud and died there some years ago. Fortunately she leaves a male offspring born in 2002 living in their group, as she comes from a line with few descendants(Solomon x Makulla).

She was very tame and was even perfectly okay with strangers I believe.

08-12-2008

Not sure about complete strangers ... but having had the immense privilege myself, she was fine with me. I was a volunteer at the zoo about 10 years ago and just before I finished my time there I was allowed a little "quiet time" with Sally. Absolutely the most amazing experience!! She was a lovely girl & I was so sorry to hear of her passing a few years back.

10-12-2008

Yes, I know someone who hadn't seen her before but was allowed to 'meet' her. She must have been known to be very reliable and good -tempered.