Patrick Stewart narrates a landmark three-part series on the world's last mountain gorillas.
The largest gorilla family in the world is starting the perilous journey down to feed on the fresh shoots of bamboo. They run the risk of being caught in illegal snares and Cantsbee, the dominant silverback, will have his work cut out keeping them all safe, especially those closest to him.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00tky2t
It was so funny to see the actions of one of the youngsters yesterday.
The silverback was sitting up in the lower basket. The youngster slowly came up behind him...and paused,....then he whacked him on the head and ran for it!!
They really are like mischievous little children!
Hi Steve. Thank you for that link, have watched it a couple of times now. Poor Nico-we get the idea he is lonely but the keepers say he is now much calmer than he used to be. I like the way they are trying to think of different ways to keep him amused-the wood with the holes in filled with nice things for him to stick his fingers into and eat! I still feel he must get a bit lonely without his companion though. Best wishes. Aimee.
Hi Aimee, Tatu is a real rascal I think that's why I love watching his antics. Another silver-back Nico aged 47 lost his mate Samba aged 46 last year at the Longleat safari Park, now left on his own the keepers are trying to find ways of occupying his time,poor Nico must have been very lost without his life long companion but what a great age 46 & 47 for a gorilla living in captivity. You can catch the program on the BBCi player......http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00ckqzz/Animal_Park_Series_8_30_minute_reversions_Episode_2/
Hi Steve, thanks for that link too! Have had a look and my goodness that Tatu is a right little rascal-in one of the videos he was playing and he stood there just as an adult would banging his chest until the other gorilla just pushed his hands away! I get so much pleasure watching these animals. I actually live in Cornwall but nowhere is very far away and yes I have visited Paignton Zoo but it seems like quite a while ago. Think I might have to plan another visit! Somerset is a lovely County-I hope your dogs enjoy their runs on the beach! Best wishes. Aimee.
Hi Aimee, you live in a lovely part of the country, taking my four springer spaniels to Dunster Beach in Somerset next month for a week & it can't come quick enough. Have you been to the Paignton Zoo?.... Steve
Hi Aimee, just found out that Richard was born at Paignton zoo England, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1271651/Sound-asleep-mums-arms-baby-gorilla-just-wait-world.html
Hi Aimee
Richard is very laid back,but when his family gets out of line he steps in & Richard is very effective at sorting out family squabbles. I have some video from last week with Richard playing with Tatu showing his gentler side & will try to post it on Youtube tomorrow.
Hi Steve, have changed my mind about Richard being 'laid back'! Have just watched some of the youtube stuff about him-and boy when he gets angry does he get angry and spiteful! Wouldnt like to be on the receiving end of his temper! And yet when I watch him-in fact all of them-there is something so 'knowing' in their eyes. They are amazing.
Hi Steve-thanks so much for putting the party on youtube. It was so funny with Tatu taking-and wearing the hat-he got quite possessive about it. No chance of anybody feeling 'down' if they watched that! It was really good. Also saw that Richard had mated again- with Shinda-maybe another new baby in due course?!
Hi Aimee, have just posted the birthday party on you-tube, I was recording it while watching, quality not that brilliant but worth watching to see Tatu in the birthday hat, that little guy cracks me up he is so funny. Not sure on the other female being pregnant but will try to find out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVqFlUU9DOQ
Hi Aimee, have just posted the birthday party on you-tube, I was recording it while watching, quality not that brilliant but worth watching to see Tatu in the birthday hat, that little guy cracks me up he is so funny. Not sure on the other female being pregnant but will try to find out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVqFlUU9DOQ
Hi Steve-you lucky thing! Missed the birthday-just wish I could understand the language on the site! - next project maybe?! Is there another pregnant female there? Only asking because on Cam 2 about 5 mins ago there was a female who is a bit chubby (!) and was pulling the straw around her and who is now just lying prone but was lying with a clenched fist!
Hi Steve, Have been spending quite alot of time over at Prague Zoo watching their cams. The baby gorilla is doing really well now. Their cams are really good and the cam operators are to be congratulated. Richard is such a laid back chap!!
Hi Steve, Oh yes-I certainly have bookmarked the cams!!!! Thank you for telling me the name of the silverback and for the info as to the number of gorillas there. Am so pleased you posted on this site-thank you very much! I will search Prague Zoo re Richard's family when I log off from here for a min! Aimee.
The Western Lowland Gorilla is a subspecies of the Western Gorilla that lives in montane, primary, and secondary forests and lowland swamps in Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.
In the zoo, the gorillas enjoy a rich diet, including vegetables, fruit, nuts, eggs, branches and a specially-made biscuit.
Climate Details are not available for this camera.
stevehg
