Gorillas enjoying the sun

Shinda loves her food, making her very popular with visitors. Seven-year-old Ajabu is her only son and is currently the baby of the gorilla group. Photo Oliver Le Que, Prague Zoo

“The Dja Reserve, which opened last September, is entering its first main season and the gorillas can finally get out after the cold spring,” said Miroslav Bobek, Prague Zoo’s director. “It gives a completely different aspect to see gorillas grazing on fresh grass. The enclosure, which is over 2,500 m2, has an equally generous viewing area. I know of visitors who have spent nearly a whole day there watching the gorillas,” he said, adding that the African atmosphere is further enhanced by the giraffes, zebras and antelopes that can be seen from there.

So, what were the gorillas’ first steps out of the pavilion like? Gorillas are rather conservative primates, so it was no surprise to see that the first to confidently enter the enclosure were the trio of females. Kamba, Shinda and Kijivu, who had already experienced the enclosure last summer. Even seven-year-old Ajabu didn't hold back, whilst still checking on Kisumu and Duni, who were noticeably more reserved.

Kijivu and Shinda had already been in the enclosure last summer, so they took a pragmatic approach, immediately feeding on clover. Photo Miroslav Bobek, Prague Zoo

“Duni takes after her mother, Moja. She is highly intelligent and inquisitive, so she showed a lot more courage than Kisumu, when entering the large enclosure. He first checked it all out from the doorway, returning to the indoor exhibit several times before going whole hog,” said Martin Vojáček, the head keeper of primates. “But he’ll get used to it soon; maybe even to the giraffes, who inquisitively watch the goings on in the enclosure over the fence.”

For pregnant Duni - daughter of the famous Moya - the outdoor enclosure is also something new. Taking after her mother, she is inquisitive and confident, so exploring the enclosure was clearly less of a challenge for her than for the more conservative Kisumu. Photo Oliver Le Que, Prague Zoo

The breeding group of western lowland gorillas in the Dja Reserve consists of the dominant male Kisumu and the female Duni - the daughter of Prague’s famous gorilla Moja, who was the first baby from this species to be born in Czech and Slovak zoos. Then there are two half-sisters: Shinda with her son Ajabu and Kijivu – Moja’s mother and Duni’s grandmother. Kamba, the group’s doyenne, is over 50 and is the only one to come from the wild, as she was taken from her troop by poachers when she was young.

After about half an hour, Kisumu mustered up the courage to explore the outdoor enclosure with the others. Over the next few days, he’ll get used to the lavish exhibit. Photo Oliver Le Que, Prague Zoo