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Melbourne Zoo exhibits a wonderful herd of Western Lowlands Gorillas in a parkland like open enclosure, which is excellent for visitor viewing. Located near the main entrance of Melbourne Zoo, the gorilla enclosure is one of the most popular attractions. Melbourne Zoo currently has eight gorillas led by Rigo, the dominant silverback male. There are 4 male gorillas and 4 female gorillas at the Melbourne Zoo. |
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Gorilla Gorilla Gorilla - Western Lowlands Gorilla Melbourne Zoo
Best time to visit the gorillas is at their early morning feeding time at about 10.00am. In fact, if you make your way directly to the gorilla enclosure just after opening time, you will see these amazing and gentle creatures being fed their morning meal. Each gorilla seems to have their own space and after the food is laid out by the keeper, each gorilla makes their way to their own area to gather the food. You have fantastic photo opportunities at this time, as the gorillas stay still and eat. If the keeper is still getting the enclosure ready before letting the gorillas out of the cage, it is well worth waiting the few minutes until they are finished. Meet the Keeper Talk for the gorillas are held daily at 1.30pm. Gentle creatures by nature, the herd is governed by the dominant male or silverback. You can certainly see that he is the boss at the Melbourne Zoo, as the other gorillas defer to him at all times, giving him clear passage in his area and seem to fully respect his wishes. Gorillas are closely related to humans with the DNA of gorillas being 98%–99% identical to that of a human. Chimpanzees are genetically our closest relatives. Male gorillas can stand up to 6 feet tall and weigh between 150 to 200 kilos. A fully mature male gorilla can consume 100 kilos of food daily, consisting mainly of fruit, vegetable and bamboo shoots and leaves. When you visit Melbourne Zoo, place the gorilla enclosure high on your list of must see animals. The enclosure is an open park like area, with excellent viewing areas ideal for the smallest child. Gorillas are amazing and intelligent creatures, so make sure you see the gorillas of Melbourne Zoo in surroundings similar to their natural habitat. After visiting the gorillas, continue on through the African Rainforest Walk and see the monkeys along the Arboreal Primates Treetops Walkway.
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Gorillas
Enclosure Melbourne Zoo Western Lowlands Gorillas Melbourne Zoo
The
Gorilla enclosure at Melbourne Zoo is situated close to the main entrance
and is the beginning of the African Rainforest area and Arboreal Primates
treetops walkway, where you see monkeys up close, high in the branches
of trees. 