Dublin Zoo today unveiled plans for a massive revamp of one of its oldest enclosures to create a gorilla rainforest.
The new landscape, slightly smaller than the Croke Park playing pitch, will have streams, dense vegetation, small hills and rocky outcrops mimicking the animals’ wild environment.
The zoo is also planning forest paths with special hidden viewing points for visitors to see the western lowland gorillas.
The €2 million year-long development is scheduled to start in September next year and will replace the ageing enclosure opened in the 1970s.
It will be home to a troop of five led by silverback Harry, a 14-year-old zoo staff describe as a relaxed dominant male and a good father.
Mother Lena is two years older and between them they care for nine-year-old Mayani, born in Barcelona Zoo and hand reared in Stuttgart before arriving in Dublin four years ago.
They also care for Alfie, a seven-year-old said to be a bit of a loner sometimes, and the baby of the group, Evindi, aged four, who likes play fighting with the others.
Zoo director Leo Oosterweghel, said the 12,000sq m home will encourage a more natural way of life for the animals.
“This development has been a few years in the planning and when completed will be the envy of zoos everywhere,” he said. “The western lowland gorillas are beautiful animals and the habitat we are creating will provide the gorillas with a home that allows the troop to continue breeding and to encourage natural behaviours.”
The zoo has been home to western lowland gorillas for years. The troop is now regarded as a functioning group and part of a precious breeding population of 400 animals in European zoos.
Over the last three years, there have been several major developments at the zoo including the Kaziranga Forest Trail for elephants, restoration of Haughton House, the African Savanna and the Family Farm in the last three years.