Monroe sampled goodies during Vila's birthday party in November. He's much larger now!
Gorilla Monroe’s first birthday is Sunday, June 17—Father’s Day, no less! He’s a busy little guy, about 20 pounds (9 kilograms) of sheer animation! Perpetually on the go, he runs all over the exhibit at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, playing with anything he finds along the way, occasionally giving Dad, Winston, a swat on the rear as he charges past him.
As curious as they come, Monroe can be spotted climbing in and out of boxes, pulling the kale or lettuce leaves off the bushes where the keepers have hung them, climbing the hanging tires, or checking himself out in a mirror. It’s also pretty amusing to watch him practicing his chest beating! At this point, his technique is really coming along; rather than arms just flailing in the air, he actually gets his hands to his chest most of the time.
Next weekend, the “little man” will get a big celebration. On Friday through Sunday, June 15 through 17, there will be extra-special enrichment for the gorillas, including an “ice cake,” at 9 each morning. Come to the Safari Park to wish Monroe a happy birthday!
Peggy Sexton is a lead keeper at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Read her previous post, 54th Birthday Party for Gorilla.
Here’s video of his first birthday on Friday:
Wow, even gorillas grow up fast! Thanks for the update, Peggy. He sure is a cutie-pie. You must be so proud…
Have a great 1st birthday Monroe.
Do the Gorilla’s have a cam so we can see them?
Moderator’s note: No Gorilla Cam yet, but we’ll have some video on the big day if you aren’t able to come.
one year old already? wow, time flies! please make a video to share with us of his birthday goodies.
Moderator’s note: We will indeed
Happy Birthday Monroe !
I will watch the videos of the big day. I tune in frequently to the Ape Cam & I am in love with your Orangutan’s. I hope some day to get out to the Zoo to see all of these beautiful wounderous animal’s !! I do hope to see you with a Gorilla Cam
& if it is as near as entertaining as the Orangutan’s & Siamangs it will be a blast.
Happy Birthday to Monroe on the 17th!!! What a fun little guy. I was very happy to hear there will be video of the celebration. Thanks Moderator
What an audacious toddler, patting his Poppa’s bum! At this age he has a little patch of white hair on his own little bottom, doesn’t he? (Otherwise he might not be so bold!)
DO THE ORANGS SLEEP OUTSIDE AT NIGHT OR DO THEY LIKE TO
BE INDOORS?
Moderator’s note: They come indoors at night.
Lah, I was going to ask the same question. But do they sleep all night or like in some places have a TV? They seem to go in before the sun sets about 5 or so what will happen at the nightime zoo they won’t be out? I like to come in the summer to cool off! Thanks
The orangutans do have TV and DVD players inside the building. Typically, all of our orangutans spend their day in the outside habitat. In the late afternoon/evening (depending on time of year and length of daylight), the keepers call the orangutans and siamangs back inside the building, where the apes find their evening meal and plenty of nesting material for the night. They typically begin nest building about one hour before sunset.
Awww, Mister Monroe is so cute! Happy Birthday, little one. <3
What is the purpose of the ice cake vice some other type of cake?
Moderator’s note: It lasts longer
happy 1st birthday, monroe!!!!!!
That video is adorable. It’s obvious that this young toddler had a great time.
Good Grief!! Do the SDZ babies always run, run, run? If it’s not the baby gorilla, then the red river piglets or the rhino calf are all stuck in high gear! Hee hee!!
It would appear that Monroe had a very enjoyable 1st birthday!
(How old is Frankie now? Is he still with a group?)
Moderator’s note: Frank is 4 years old, and is a member of Paul Don’s troop. Young lowland gorillas have a white rump spot until they are about 5 years old.
Typical rambunctious little boy.
May we please get an update on Frank. We loved his Facebook postings during the “Year of the Gorilla” and were very sad when he went off line. How is he doing? Any photos please?
Moderator’s note: Your request has been forwarded to our Gorilla Team.
Just watched a video of Monroe swinging on a rope and climbing on Vila. Adorable, but also made me concerned. The rope and other hanging toys seem so close to the edge of the moat. Couldn’t Monroe over swing and fall into the moat?
The way our moat is designed, the gorillas actually can climb down if they drop treats or toys and can easily climb back up on the side of the moat closest to the gorillas since that side has a rocky facade. The rocks on the side of the moat closest to our guests have a smooth finish so the gorillas cannot climb in that direction. This unique design is great for curious Monroe, who actually has been climbing into the moat after he drops leaves or just to cool off on a warm day.