Kidogo the Gorilla Amazes with Tightrope Act

[xchrom]

http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/kidogo-the-gorilla-walks-a-tightrope-in-the-krefeld-zoo-in-germany-a-875398.html


Gorillas aren't necessarily known for being nimble. But Kidogo, a gorilla in the Krefeld zoo, has earned fame in recent days for his ability to walk on a tightrope in his enclosure.


Kidogo moved to the Krefeld zoo in April from a zoo in Denmark to serve as the male companion to females Muna and Oya.

Expectations placed on Kidogo weren't particularly high. The 12-year-old silverback was brought to the Krefeld Zoo in April from his home in Denmark to serve as a male companion to Muna and Oya, two female gorillas. The hope is that the trio will expand, and that the zoo's lowland gorilla enclosure will soon be bustling with baby apes.

But King Kodo, as Kidogo has come to be known, appears to have developed a fondness for the spotlight as well. To the amazement of zoogoers, the gorilla has demonstrated an unusual degree of agility -- and has even taken up tightrope walking.
"He is unbelievably athletic and acrobatic," says Petra Schwinn, director of public relations at the zoo in western Germany. "He is still young and playful. He really demonstrates a strong degree of joie de vivre."

Schwinn says that Kidogo has performed his tightrope heroics a number of times, though certainly not every day. Indeed, news of the gorilla's special talent only began to spread in recent days because a professional photographer was able to capture Kidogo on the rope in mid-December. Schwinn then sent out the image as part of a holiday greetings email to friends of the zoo. Since then, she has been busy answering press inquiries from around the world.

[livvy]

1. Wow...he is gorgeous!

And so talented, too! Thanks for sharing.

[xchrom]

2. isn't he handsome?!

i was taken with his agility.

[livvy]

4. Gorillas are probably my most favorite undomesticated animal.

He really is in outstanding physical condition, or at least he appears to be. Love the acrobatics and activity level. I hope the ladies appreciate their studly new mate!

[catbyte]

3. Wow. He is stunning.

[livvy]

5. Be sure to check out the additional pics at the link.

The photographer caught him jumping from the tree...4 shots including an Olympic perfect landing. It's really cool how he sets himself up for the landing.
Here is a pic I took of one of our resident gorillas at the Detroit Zoo. I watched him for a long time one day. He pretty much ignored me, but did check me out a couple of times. A great zoo to get really up close and personal with gorillas and orangutans is the Toledo Zoo. The only thing separating you is a Plexiglas wall, and the residents seem to enjoy interacting with the visitors.


I'd love to know what he was pondering about.

[xchrom]

6. i loved how he held his arms at his side as he was falling.

amazing how he figured this stuff out.

[Scuba]

7. If he's supposed to be a "companion" for not one, but two female gorillas, he's walking a tightrope.

[livvy]

8. lol n/t

[livvy]

9. A very cool video of one man's experience with gorillas.

http://www.youtube.com/v/1eXS0o6r-Wk%26rel=0%26hl=en_US%26feature=player_embedded%26version=3