Gorillas to introduce themselves on Sunday

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.