Shou on World Gorilla Day 2024｜HAMAMATSU ZOO｜世界ゴリラの日のショウ｜浜松市動物園（はまZOO）
Filmed on September 24, 2024
I visited the Hamamatsu Zoo in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan on World Gorilla Day. I saw many beautiful primates at the zoo, but this video focuses on Shou, the western lowland gorilla. I hope that all gorillas in captivity are well taken care of and that no gorillas are neglected in captivity. I pray for all gorilla species to be protected in the wild. Happy Belated World Gorilla Day!
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About Western Lowland Gorilla
Gorilla gorilla gorilla
Habitat: The most widespread gorilla subspecies, and can be found across more than 700,000 km2 of central and West Africa.
Lifespan: 35 yrs in the wild (up to 60 yrs in captivity)
IUCN Red List : Critically Endangered
It is the smallest of the four gorilla subspecies, which also include the Cross River gorillas, Grauer’s gorillas, and mountain gorillas. It has shorter black-brown hair, longer arms, and a more prominent ridge along their brow. The adult males called silverbacks have silvery-grey hair on their backs and thighs. Their heads are large and pointed, with a sagittal crest forming the back of the top head. Its population has been decreasing due to poaching and disease. The estimated population in 2013 was almost 362,000 individuals (IUCNredlist.org). Fewer than 150,000 western lowland gorillas remain in the wild (gorillas.org).
SHOU ♂
DOB: est.1977
POB: wildborn, Cameroon
On April 10, 1978, he was transferred to Shirahama Adventure World, Japan.
On Dec 20, 1981, he and Daiko moved to Hamamatsu Zoo. They had lived together until Shou moved to Ueno Zoo in 2002. They mated, but Daiko never conceived.
On March 12, 2002, Shou was transferred to Ueno Zoo (age 25) after Biju passed away. He had lived with Toto and Rola for two years. Shou got along well with Toto. They mated several times when Toto was in estrus. Rola was hesitant to be close to him but spent time in the same enclosure without much interaction.
On March 8, 2004, Shou returned to Hamamatsu Zoo. Shou lived with Daiko again.
On April 4, 2008, Daiko passed away due to a lung tumor at the age of 32. The zoo tried to hide her passing from Shou. This could be the reason he frequently keeps an eye on the room where Daiko used to be. He may be waiting for Daiko.
(Source: https://www.asahi.com/komimi/TKY20080...)
NB: Shou has bumps on his eyelids due to his habit of scratching. The zoo had tried to cure it with medication. If necessary, they may consider an operation to remove the bumps, but since Shou is not young, there is always a high risk of anesthesia, and because he does not show discomfort, the zoo is observing the situation as of now.
Picture of Shou and Toto when he was at Ueno Zoo
https://www.tokyo-zoo.net/topic/topic...
References:
Wilms T.M., et al. 2015. International studbook for the western lowland gorilla Gorilla g. Gorilla Savage & Wyman, 1847
GAIN Great Ape Information Network
https://shigen.nig.ac.jp/gain/top.jsp
IUCN - Gorilla gorilla ssp. gorilla, Western Lowland Gorilla
https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/p...
The Gorilla Organization
https://gorillas.org/about-gorillas/w...
Music
Epidemic Sound: 1️⃣ Will You Ever Know_ - Anna Landstrom 2️⃣ HiLife - Daniel Fridell 3️⃣ Velvet Nightfall - Megan Wofford 4️⃣ I Will Come Back Here - William Claeson
#wildlifeconservation #Karinとゴリラ #karintogorillas