England’s chances in the Rugby World Cup would be greatly improved if they had this chap in the line-up.
Male Western lowland gorilla Pertinax lives at Paignton Zoo in Devon. He‘s around 6 feet from head to toe – modest for a professional rugby player these days, but he weighs in at a hefty 190 kilos - and it’s pretty much all muscle. At 37 he’s a bit of a senior now, but even the All Blacks might think twice about tackling him…
Impressively, this strapping lad follows a strict vegetarian diet that features peppers, tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, beetroot, kale, leeks,...
In a lovely little place not far from the sea, the old fella takes it easy. He has a garden, a nice view and people who come in every day to look after him. He’s got bad feet, declining eye-sight and bowel problems.
Oh, and he’s a 190 kilo gorilla…
Pertinax the Western lowland gorilla, who stood down from his role as boss of the all-male troop at Paignton Zoo, is an OAP – an Old Age Primate. He’s old for a wild gorilla, though zoo gorillas can live longer because of good vet care. The need for specialist geriatric care in zoos is growing, as Paignton Zoo Head Vet Ghislaine...
With teeth like that, it’s hard to believe Western lowland gorilla Kiondo is a vegetarian. The 15-year-old, who weighs in at around 186 kilos and lives at Paignton Zoo in Devon, has an impressive set of gnashers.
He was spotted displaying to keepers and to his fascinated public by photographer and Zoo regular Miriam Haas.
Kiondo enjoys a diet of vegetables, including peppers, sweetcorn, tomatoes, chicory, cabbage, kale and lettuce. The giant vegetarian sets a fine example when it comes to healthy eating – though his table manners leave a little to be desired.
Acclaimed French Actress and International Animal Communicator Gloria Delaneuf returns to the UK to talk her life-changing experience with the gorillas of the Kungalunga Jungle.
Assisted by her UK tour manager Josephine Cunningham, she is determined to show that man and gorilla can live “sans frontieres”. Part lecture, part dramatic-reconstruction, part live-demonstration, it will be an evening that will stay with you forever.
Following on from the award-winning “Gloriator”, “Glorilla” is the hilarious new show from French/English comedy duo Spitz & Co. It has been...
The gorilla with wanderlust is back on home soil - for a time. PEG - Polar Explorer Gorilla - left Living Coasts in Torquay with HMS PROTECTOR, the Royal Navy's Ice Patrol Vessel, for her last deployment in October 2013.
She has since travelled to a range of South, North and Central American countries, along with the Caribbean, British Virgin Islands, South Africa, South Georgia and finally Antarctica, where the crew conducted surveying work and supported the British Antarctic Survey during the austral summer.
PEG is probably the first gorilla ever to venture to the...
How do you learn how to be a good gorilla? You go to gorilla school, of course.
And 12-year-old Kivu is earning top marks when it comes to sitting in a barrel.
He was photographed at Paignton Zoo Environmental Park in Devon by Curator of Mammals Neil Bemment.
“I’m not sure if he was being Father Christmas coming down the chimney, but he certainly seemed to be enjoying himself,” said Neil.
Top zoos provide animals with what is known as environmental enrichment, scientifically designed to help keep them stimulated mentally and physically. Enrichment can range...
A top local artist has come to the English Riviera to paint a gorilla in public.
Cleo Heard is painting the life-size figure between Monday 26th and Friday 30th May, during half term. She is working in the entrance hall of Living Coasts, on the quayside, where people can watch her progress.
Last year Cleo painted the popular Bananarilla for the Great Gorillas Project. Her design for this gorilla uses the Living Coasts penguin logo in a striking all-over pattern. She has dubbed this gorilla Penguilla.
Hayley Gibson, from Living Coasts, said: “This is part of the...
A gorilla from Exmouth has won the people’s vote at Babbacombe Model Village.
The Torquay attraction hosted gorillas created by South West schools and colleges as part of Paignton Zoo’s Great Gorillas Project.
Carnaby, by Exmouth Community College, came first. Second place went to Andy, by Tower House School, and the third spot went jointly to Greg, by Torquay Academy, and Drake, by Brixham Church of England Primary School.
Carnaby, who spent the summer at the Phoenix Arts Centre in Exeter, was designed by 12-year old Jack Woodthorpe. The red double-decker bus idea...
A hotel in Exeter is serving gorilla-sized cocktails.
The Southernhay House Hotel in Exeter has created a special tipple to mark Paignton Zoo’s Great Gorillas Project.
Owner Deborah Clark, who also runs Burgh Island, came up with the idea. She has pledged to donate a sum to the campaign – aimed at raising awareness for gorilla conservation in Africa – for each cocktail sold.
“I heard about The Great Gorillas Project through social media and contacts in the finance sector in Southernhay. Then Not So Different, sponsored by Cathedral Financial Management, was placed...
A gorilla has enrolled at the University of Exeter.
The giant primate arrived wrapped in pretend brown paper, tied with mock string and covered in air mail stickers, stamps and franks from South Africa, Canada, Indonesia, Australia and Cuba.
This striking piece of public art is named Takamanda, after a national park in the Cameroon set up in 2008 to help protect the endangered Cross River gorilla.
She is part of the Great Gorillas Project, which is celebrating the 90th birthday of Paignton Zoo. Life-size model gorillas have been sponsored by businesses and community...
