Twycross Zoo announced Gorilla Lope's move last week. Unfortunatly still no confirmation from the zoo, but France ist still the most likley place.
Lope has us all spellbound with his shenanigans and his naughty attitude. We love his swagger that makes us smile from ear to ear like when he walks upright (bipedal) which he has done since a young age. He does this comfortably and can walk up and down the slopes like that and across the whole enclosure. I have followed him since he was 3 years, 5 months, 14 days old :-) with the video "Cheeky Baby Gorilla Trolls Silverback Dad" he trolled his dad who kept pretty calm at his antics. It's been one of the greatest things, watching him growing up, growing up to be a blackback. He kept me on my toes, his upright walking swagger makes us laugh every time. We watched him terrorizing his baby brother when he was born and Ozala being a very protective Mother so Lope couldn't get close. That didn't stop Lope from trying, he just didn't give up. He and his brother have got a love-hate relationship. Lope terrorised Shufai, but he grew up very quickly and he got his own back on many occasions.
Lope was born at Twycross Zoo on the 3rd Jan 2013. His birth name was Elina.
I will keep everyone informed as soon as I get any confirmation on things.
