Gorilla Mountain
Gorilla Mountain was opened on the site of the old Markhor goat enclosure next to the Ape House. Opened in 2000, the natural enclosure with rocks, caves and waterfalls, is the perfect retreat for the gorillas and offers a superb photographic opportunity for visitors.
We have six gorillas here at Blackpool Zoo, four females, a silverback male and a new baby. The females are Miliki, her half sister, Njema, Kena, the oldest gorilla, Meisie, born to Miliki in 2010 and a new baby born to Njema in November 2012. The silverback is the impressive Bukavu, who is Meisie's and the new baby's father.
Meisie has been accepted fully into the group. Miliki proved to be an excellent mother from day one and the other females kept their distance until Miliki was ready to share her precious cargo. Bukavu is very chilled by nature and readily accepted the addition to his family. Meisie now enjoys poking him when he's asleep but does, sometimes, get reprimanded by her father.
The above picture, snapped by one of our members, was shown across the world and was in the Top Ten Pictures of the Day on the BBC's worldwide webpage. A great achievement with a chance shot on a pocket camera. The picture is entitled "Safe".
Meisie is growing up and there are comparisons to a human child. She has little tantrums, beats her chest and runs about exploring all over the enclosure.
A second baby was born to Miliki's half sister, Njema, on the 8th November. As yet, we don't actually know the sex of the new baby as mum is keeping him or her very close to her chest.
