The Daily Edge uses cookies. By continuing to browse this site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Click here to find out more »
Dublin: 9 °C Saturday 18 May, 2013

Aw, it’s baby (gorilla’s) first birthday

One of Dublin Zoo’s youngest members is to have weekend long birthday celebrations.

Baby Kituba having a snack
Baby Kituba having a snack
Image: Dublin Zoo

DUBLIN ZOO’S BABY gorilla is turning one this weekend and he is having one big bash to celebrate. Kituba’s first birthday party will be taking place at the Gorilla Rainforest enclosure from 31 March – 1 April in Dublin Zoo with family-friendly events scheduled.

Seven gorillas live in the 12,000 square metre Gorilla Rainforest enclosure – including Lena, Kituba’s mum. The 26-year-old has two other sons, Alf and Evindi.

When Kituba was born last year, Dublin Zoo said that Lena held him so close to her chest that the animal care team could not tell if he was a boy or a girl. They add that all Kituba wants to do nowadays is to hang out with his older brothers and join in the fun.

Here is his first year:

Aw, it’s baby (gorilla’s) first birthday
1 / 3
  • Baby gorilla

    Kituba shortly after his birth - his mum held him so tightly that zookeepers couldn't tell his gender.
  • Baby gorilla

    Kituba last October.
  • Baby gorilla

    Kituba at one year. Aw.

(Images courtesy of Dublin Zoo)

In pictures: Dublin Zoo’s baby white-crowned mangabey>
In photos: Dublin Zoo’s new eastern bongo>

Read next:

Comments (20 Comments)

  • Good on Dublin zoo. I don’t think people realize how much Dublin zoo is held in high regard all over the world for all the babies it has and it’s overall breeding program.

    Reply
  • happy birthday to you
    happy birthday to you
    you look like monkey
    and you smell like one too

    Reply
  • RouBx 27/03/12 #

    Now if they could only train him to ride backwards on a pig, that would be pure gold.

    Reply
  • Happy Birthday Kituma! You’re one, that’s class.
    The Government is also one year old and has systematically failed us and become slaves to the EU blah blah blah…
    Thought I’d be the one to mention the Government so that we could get it out of the way and get back to the baby gorilla.

    Reply
  • To ra lo ra io ra lo…their looking for monkeys up in the zoo.. And says I if I had a face like you.. I’d join the British army…..

    Reply
  • Micheal 28/03/12 #

    Nice Baby Gorilla:) A not so nice baby Gorilla … GM Potato Trials in Ireland :( … The EPA are assessing Teagasc’s application to grow GM potatoes in Carlow. Please help inform your family and friends that the GM issue is about corporate control over seeds, our diet and nature. This GM issue was supposedly put to bed in Ireland in 2006, yet it reappears 6 years later? It reminds me of the Lisbon Treaty where we voted no the first time and the government treated the population like uneducated children who didn’t understand the first time, so ‘give them another go and they will get it right eventually’. Their timing is calculated and perfect. With so many economic woes in families here GM crops in Ireland is one other problem to worry about it and most people are turning their ears away. It looks like the powers that be will sneak it in under the radar as the ‘sheeple’ in Ireland have become apathetic. What is taking place folks is a crime against humanity and nature in Ireland. We are being prepared and treated as human GM food guinea pigs and they will keep forcing it down our necks in different forms after potatoes. How ironic is the Great Hunger and potato connection they have chosen to focus on to introduce us to GM crops here.They never tell us the fact that the potato famine happened due to a fatal reliance on one variety of potato at the time … the lumper. If we had the many thousands of varieties available like in Peru we would not have had a ‘famine’. It truly saddens me to see how the state bodies we place our trust in are treating our population, even in the midst of the financial treatment we are receiving.

    If the EPA supports Teagasc in their 4 year GM potato trial application it is the beginning of the end of Ireland’s green Emerald Isle image internationally. The apathy and indifference shown by most people to this subject concerning our nation is so sad. A subject that should in fact warrant a Referendum.
    More info on the proposed GM Potato Trials in Oak Park can be found at http://www.ecohomesandgardens.ie/letters-to-teagasc-re-gm-potato-trials.html … Please Please Please folks keep questioning these potato trials before they become yesterdays news and we succumb to even more population control in our society.

    Reply
    • Refer to previous comments by Sean Armstrong and Offaly, try not to hijack a nice sentiment (Dublin Zoo helping to keep Gorillas and other animals from extinction through breeding programs) If you feel so strongly about G.M. products why don’t you e-mail Teageasc directly instead of posting here.

      Reply
    • Micheal 28/03/12 #

      Hi Sharon,
      The first comment made on post above was ‘Nice Baby Gorilla :)’
      No hijacking intended. Speaking strongly about an issue that is on my mind today and the baby gorilla got me thinking about the ugly gorilla that faces our nation today that is GM potato trials in Ireland. Free speech, which you are entitled to to. Have written to Teagasc twice on the matter! Letters can be read on link above if you like. If you don’ t like don’t bother. Your choice.

      Still like the photo of the baby gorilla…aaw :)

      Reply
    • That gorilla probably has a name (or two- Bertie and Pee)? I am all for free speech, just in the proper forum! Enjoy the sunshine Micheal! The weather is too nice to nit-pick about things!

      Reply
    • Micheal 28/03/12 #

      I agree Sharon. The weather is really nice for the baby gorilla today. He must feel like he is truly at home. He is entitled to GM free feed at Dublin Zoo too which i should have mentioned…standing up for Kituba’s rights.

      By the way i am apolitical :) If the baby gorilla decides to run for politics in the future (absolutely possible with all the genetic mutating that could potentially be going on) and if he is doing a better job caring for Ireland and the planet then i may reconsider my position re politics :) Get out there and enjoy the climate change for yourself girl :)

      Reply
    • We were doing so well. Issues of baby gorillas and free speech were resolved amicably, and the dialogue had progressed to the fabulous weather. Then you had to jinx the whole thing by mentioning the name Bertie, and now we have grey sky, cold wind and drizzle! :)

      Reply
    • I think you’re right Dennis! ‘Tis only April yet though, so maybe things will get better before the year/summer is out!

      Reply
  • Here’s a message from your cousin – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msJuBBjQBbo

    Reply
  • A few more years and he will make a lovely fur coat.

    Reply

Add New Comment