Ape House Expansion

Ape Applause Please!

The ABQ BioPark Zoo is raising funds to build a new year-round play room “bachelor pad” for our three adolescent male gorillas.

“The boys are becoming rambunctious, challenging each other, wrestling and tussling,” said Lynn Tupa, Zoo manager. “The older females don’t like the rough play, so we’re putting the boys in their own space where the others don’t have to deal with them.”

With hoses and hammocks suspended from the ceiling for playing and resting, this, will, indeed, be a swinging place equipped to handle the rough and tumble play of Mashudu and Jack, both age 10, and Hasani, age 6, all of whom, in gorilla years, are entering adolescence. The room will be about 720 square feet and situated at the back of the gorilla holding area. While its main purpose will be as a bachelor room, Tupa said that they will also use it as a playroom for other gorillas, depending on the moods and activities of the group on any given day. “There will also be a large viewing window so that the public can watch as we train the gorillas,” said Tupa. The window will also provide a view of the apes during the cold winter months, when they go "behind scenes" for warmth.

The cost of the expansion will be about $50,000; construction is anticipated to begin this fall.

Support this needed addition! Indicate "ape house" in the "dedicate to" field to indicate you would like to restrict your gift to this project.