Gorillas to introduce themselves on Sunday

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Four male African gorillas at Ragunan Zoo in South Jakarta were shown to the public on Tuesday after being officially handed over by the Gibbon Foundation to the city administration in a ceremony on Tuesday.

Foundation director Willie Smits and Governor Sutiyoso signed an agreement on the three-year loan of the lowlander gorillas from the Howletts and Port Lympne Park in England to Ragunan Zoo.

"During the next three years, if they become sick or distressed, they should be returned to England. But if it turns out that they develop well here, they will eventually be given to Ragunan Zoo," Smits said before leading invited guests on a tour to observe the gorillas and the facilities at the primate center.

Kihi, Kimbou, Kijou and Komou, who were playing on the ground, were apparently upset by the crowds and noise. They hid in a cave inside the pen, dubbed the largest gorilla enclosure in the world.

So far, development of the primate center has cost about Rp 16 billion (US$ 1.68 million), also financed by the Gibbon Foundation. It will bear the entire cost of food and enclosure maintenance for the next three years.

Smits said he was optimistic that the enclosure could earn Rp 5 billion per year from entry ticket sales.

An adult visitor wishing to view the gorillas will have to pay Rp 5,000 for a ticket, while for a child it will be Rp 3,000, in addition to Ragunan Zoo's entrance fee of Rp 3,000 for adults and Rp 2,000 for children.