Presenting the latest fitness fad – the gorilla workout!
Kivu, a 13 year old Western lowland gorilla at Paignton Zoo Environmental Park in Devon is showing the gym fanatics how it’s done.
The photos were taken on Sunday 15th February by Paignton photographer and regular Paignton Zoo visitor Chris Rockey. Chris said: “One minute he was just sat there and then he started climbing and swinging!”
Born on 27th November 2002, Kivu arrived at Paignton in 2006. Described as a very smart gorilla, he loves showing off to the public. Despite his awesome appearance, keepers say his favourite food is lettuce – clearly a good diet is also part of his healthy lifestyle.
The charity’s bachelor group of Western lowland gorillas – a Critically Endangered species – plays a vital role in international gorilla conservation, providing somewhere for young males to grow up in a social environment. Some may move on to be the dominant males in bachelor or family groups in other collections as part of the European breeding programme. Paignton Zoo Environmental Park is a registered charity. For more information go to www.paigntonzoo.org.uk or ring 0844 474 2222.
