Strange new species uncovered at Melbourne Zoo
An unusual looking creature with furry black legs and an unrecognisable upper body has been seen waddling and weaving around the primate habitat at Melbourne Zoo.
Visitors and zoo staff were bemused watching the peculiar creature moving in the grass before familiar looking hands emerged from underneath a hessian sack to reveal cheeky Western lowland gorilla youngster, Kanzi.
Melbourne Zoo Life Sciences manager Gill Maxwell said the eight-year-old loves to play with the woven, plant-fibre bags, which are provided to the gorillas as part of an enrichment program that encourages exploration and play.
“Young gorillas like Kanzi are always so interested in novel items, so these sacks are excellent to stimulate those natural play behaviours we see among this species in the forests and swamplands of central Africa,” Ms Maxwell said.
“Kanzi often puts her head inside the bag and runs around or rolls in the grass, which are great indicators that she is feeling comfortable and safe in her environment.”
The sacks are initially filled with nesting materials, such as woodwool and straw, and the gorillas’ favourite foods. This keeps mealtimes mentally challenging and encourages Kanzi to forage for her food.
However, Ms Maxwell said the empty sacks have quickly become a favourite play tool for Kanzi and her parents, Kimya and Otana.
“Whether it’s putting their heads inside a log, throwing their food around or spinning in a circle, gorillas are naturally curious and enjoy manipulating items in their environment,” Ms Maxwell said.
“Playing with the sacks allows them to learn coordination, engage in social interaction and enjoy themselves.”
Western Lowland Gorillas are one of four gorilla sub-species, and are classified as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Wild populations are threatened by habitat loss from logging and the impact of mining for coltan, a mineral used to make mobile phones.
Zoos Victoria's 'They're Calling On You' initiative encourages the public to donate unwanted mobile phones that can be recycled to raise funds for wild gorilla care and conservation.
Visitors to Melbourne Zoo or Werribee Open Range Zoo can drop off their old mobile phones and accessories into the specially marked collection bins located inside the zoos’ entrance.