Gorilla Scuffle

Baby Boy Gorilla Play

Whenever the boys are together these days at their home at the North Carolina Zoo, they are both showing their teeth and using those big hands of theirs to show the other who's boss. Mothers-of-People-Boys who come to the window always remind us that the gorilla boys just playing. Jamani continues to stay nearby, just in case things get out of hand.  Look at the size of those teeth in their mouths!

Apollo left, Bomassa right, looking at his mother's arm

The Jumping Stage

Apollo is enthralled these days with jumping. When I visited recently, he had climbed to the top of the tree structure, which is some 12 to 15 feet off the ground, I would guess.

Mother Olympia sits down below unconcerned as her son balances precariously

Up top, there is a platform. One of the gorillas had just hiked up there to dump a great load of straw. Rising above the platform by about three feet or so, is a post in the shape of a log. Apollo had climbed up to that very high platform, and then would hoist himself up onto the post. Next he would jump down the short distance and land on the straw covered platform.  And then he would do it again. And again!  He was having a wonderful time climbing, then balancing, then jumping. Over and over again. It's how kids learn motor skills, through play, through repetition, through practice. Whether it's a gorilla-kid or a people-kid, the story is the same. 

Here he comes!  Ready to land on that platform and scramble back up the post

Walking with Mom

Apollo Walks along with his Mom Olympia Gorilla

Bomassa with Mom

Jamani is the largest of the gorillas at the Zoo and she has quite an imposing gaze! She and Bomassa often sit together. She's a good mom!