John Aspinall with Kijo the Gorilla

John Aspinall with Kijo the Silverback Gorilla. Kijo was the first Gorilla to ever be born at Howletts on 2nd April 1975 to Kisoro and Juju. he passed away on 20th December 2008, his group has recently been taken over by his Grandson Ebeki.

@GorillaBoy Kijo was a very good-looking male. I saw him for the last time just a month or two before his death- he looked fit and well but died soon afterward.

He was a handsome silverback, his son Bitono is very similar looking to him. I also think In pictures I've seen of him that Bitam was also a very impressive looking silverback, unfortunately I don't remember seeing Bitam before he died but luckily remember Kijo.

@GorillaBoy Bitono is like Kijo, who in turn was like his father Kisoro in build but facially definately resembled his mother Juju. IMO Bitam was not outstanding in any particular way but was a good silverback/group leader anyway. Djoum was very large. Mumbah who went to the USA was quiet and his lower lip hung down. Gugis, the first fully mature they had looked sly, and was rather bad tempered and untrustworthy.