Werribee Open Range Zoo home to new gorilla exhibit
The $3.6million exhibit Gorillas Calling recently opened at Werribee Open Range Zoo, making it one of the largest gorilla exhibits in the world.
As the new home to three Western Lowland Gorillas, the state-of-the-art 6,000 square metre bachelor pad is occupied by Silverback gorilla Motaba and his two sons Yakini and Ganyeka.
The family of gorillas, who moved to the new enclosure from Melbourne Zoo, are making the most of their new home which boasts large climbing poles, wading pools and views across the zoo’s open range savannahs.
Visitors can get a bird’s eye view of the gorilla’s enclosure from several viewing platforms. There is also a play space for kids that mirrors the gorilla’s climbing areas encouraging them to climb the tree trunks and swing on ropes like the gorillas do.
Together with interpretative elements, the new exhibit is designed to highlight the plight of gorillas in the wild with the hope that visitors will better understand these fascinating creatures and help take action to save them before it is too late.
The exhibit’s name – Gorillas Calling - is inspired by Zoos Victoria’s mobile phone recycling campaign, They’re Calling on You, which provides support to the Jane Goodall Institute in its mission to conserve Africa’s primate species through the donation of mobile phones.
Gorillas Calling also forms an important part in continuing the region’s successful breeding program which links to an international breeding program.
For more information: www.zoo.org.au
Media contact: Kym Carter, Zoos Victoria – (03) 9731 9624 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)