A troupe of gorillas is now on public display after settling in well to the green, grassy surrounds of Mogo Zoo.
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The gorillas were trucked to the NSW South Coast from Sydney’s Taronga zoo earlier this week.
Zoo staff said the line of vehicles resembled a presidential convoy, as the 210kg silverback Kibabu arrived with females Mouila and Kriba and their children Mahali and Kepenzi on Tuesday.
The fortified crates containing the western lowland gorillas were at lunchtime carefully moved by forklift into their specially built quarters.
"Awesome," was Mogo Zoo owner and director Sally Padey's word for the day.
"It is a dream come true and we are so honoured to be able to house and care for these amazing animals and play an active role in the Global Species Management Plan,” Ms Padey said.
“The arrival of these great apes is not only a fantastic opportunity for Mogo Zoo, but for the Eurobodalla region overall, due to the popularity of these magnificent and noble creatures.”
Zoo general manager John Appleby said Kibabu was already seeking to make his family comfortable.
“The gorillas are settling in nicely and seem relaxed and comfortable,” he said.
“Kibabu is displaying all of the signs of a great leader, reassuring the rest of the troupe as they explore their new surroundings."
The troupe was installed in their night house and now has access to a private grass area. They have been slowly introduced to their exhibit area.
The zoo said the move to Mogo would help safeguard a critically endangered species and that Kibabu had already fathered 14 children who would all contribute to worldwide breeding programs.
“The arrival of the gorillas has strengthened the zoo’s long term commitment to the conservation of endangered species from around the world," Mr Appleby said.
"The exhibit is world-class and represents the new calibre of animal exhibits within the zoo.
“Mogo is now the only privately-owned zoo in Australasia to house western lowland gorillas and I would like to encourage locals and visitors alike to come along and welcome Kibabu and his family to the beautiful South Coast.”