Earl opens new gorilla house

The new gorilla house built by Rigg Construction was opened by HRH The Earl of Wessex on Tuesday November 2. The £1 million exhibit, is home to the Zoo's family of seven critically endangered western lowland gorillas.

The new facility is twice its original size and includes an impressive atrium-style glass lobby offering unique viewing opportunities of the gorillas overhead. The house also includes a host of benefits for its inhabitants, such as climbing facilities, ropes and play equipment and an indoor pool. There are also additional ‘dens’ for the gorillas and weighing scales built into the floor. The first phase of the gorilla house is now open, with the remaining phase due for completion by early 2014.