Gorilla family - Zoo Antwerpen (Belgium) - zoovenirs (48)
Yesterday, on 12/09/23, gorilla Amahoro celebrated her 33rd birthday. She is the only Eastern Lowland Gorilla in Zoo Antwerpen and even one of the few left that are living in a zoo. There's no breeding programme for this subspecies anymore.
The gorilla family of Matadi, the male and leader, female Mayani with daughter Thandie and female Mambele with daughter Vizazi are all Western Lowland Gorillas.
Amahoro is a kind and gentle animal, who likes to keep herself apart from the group. However, since the birth of Thandie in 2018 and Vizazi in 2021, she has developed into being a loving and caring 'auntie' for the 2 youngsters.
This year, the zookeepers didn't prepare a birthday surprise for Amahoro, as they did last year. They know Amahoro, being shy as she is, wouldn't have a chance to enjoy the treats, before male Matadi would claim it for himself again.
See video • World Gorilla Day - Zo...
Amahoro is the favourite of quite some visitors, because of her gentle nature and her black, longer fur that makes her easily recognizable. Superfan LDB is her biggest admirer and he had Amahoro's face as a tattoo on his arm first. Meanwhile, all the gorillas are also depicted on tattoos on his arms and legs. lt makes him feel more connected with the magnificent and fascinating animals and it's also a tribute to them, he says.
l apologize for the sometimes inappropriate quality of the recordings. The reflection of the other visitors in the glass doesn't make it easy.
l didn't add music. The recordings include parts of the information session that is a daily routine in Zoo Antwerpen, during which the gorillas get some treats thrown into the outdoor enclosure. That way it makes them come closer, so the visitors can see them better.
l hope you enjoy it as much as l always do.
#zooantwerpen
#gorillas
Пікірлер: 6
Vizazi is the star of the show! So funny. I wish I could just plop down wherever and take a nap lol. I love that that guy had tats of the gorillas!
@carinagryp6264
9 ай бұрын
Yes, Vizazi is the entertainer and she knows when people are watching. At first, she stayed around big sister Thandie most of the time, but now that's she getting older, she's getting bolder too. That white dot on her back. Gorilla youngsters have that until the age of 4 or there about. Thandie's has faded meanwhile. It's a visual sign to the adults to treat them more gentle. After that age, the youngsters have to find their place in the order. Therefore, Thandie is more careful around her dad recently. And accordingly, her mom Mayani is as well. Gorilla moms with babies or still younger ones are higher up in the order. This was part of the information that the zookeeper was telling us. Indeed, it takes a lot of dedication to the gorillas to have those tattoos. As Amahoro is his favourite, her face was the first tattoo he got. He visits the zoo every week, coming from the Netherlands. That guy had a whole interview registered on the online information pages of the zoos, which l only found afterwards. I've put a photo of one tattooed arm on Instagram. I'll email it to you. Thank you for your comment, Emily! 🤗👍
Happy birthday🎉
@carinagryp6264
9 ай бұрын
Too bad Amahoro didn't get hold of the treats, we said. But the zookeeper who was doing the information session told us they would make sure she got some indoors afterwards. Thank you for your comment, Jennifer! 🤗👍
@tracilay4162
9 ай бұрын
A day in the life!
@carinagryp6264
9 ай бұрын
@tracilay4162 Yes, you could say that. I was still standing at the window of the indoor enclosure, as Mayani, Thandie, Vizazi and Amahoro up on her 'bed' were still there. Suddenly, they - except Amahoro - hurried to the exit to go outside. They had heard the voice of the zookeeper! By the time l went round to get there, Matadi and Mambele were already there too. Matadi is a gentle giant, but when food is involved, he usually lets the others know he's the boss! 😉😄 Thank you for your comment, Traci! 🤗👍