Posted on 01/28/2011 7:03:37 PM PST by PJ-Comix
A gorilla has achieved fame for walking upright on his hind legs like a human at a British animal park.
Ambam, a Western lowland gorilla, was filmed strolling about his enclosure by animal researcher Johanna Watson.
She posted the clip on YouTube, where it has been viewed by more than 250,000 people.
Ambam, a 21-year-old silverback, is part of a bachelor group of the critically endangered animals at Port Lympne Wild Animal Park, which is run by an international conservation charity, The Aspinall Foundation.
Gorilla that walks like a man Gorilla keeper Phil Ridges said Ambam, who now weighs 485 pounds, had been hand-reared at another animal park when he was a one-year-old for several months because he was ill.
Family trait?
He said the human-like walking style seemed to run in the family.
"Ambam's father Bitam used to display the same behavior if he had handfuls of food to carry," Ridges said in a statement. "Ambam also has a full sister, Tamba, and a half sister ... who also sometimes stand and walk in the same way."
Look ma, no hands! Gorilla walks on hind legs Ridges added that Ambam could also carry more food if his hands were freed from walking and it also meant "he doesn't get his hands wet when it is raining."
The Aspinall Foundation runs gorilla rescue and rehabilitation projects in Congo and Gabon.
Good point. Anyway, who would argue with or trash talk him?
Wow. No Michelle Obama jokes. Impressive.
I never could figure out the fixation on finding some missing link that sorta walks upright, and sorta leans over. If God did slowly create the universe (I’m leaning towards the notion that an old-looking universe was created in situ), than at some point somebody just decided it was easier to walk upright.
He does seems to lock them forward, like a very pregnant woman. Spine seemed to have a bulge down low- curvature, perhaps?
That way we'll never bother to see if they're smart enough to pay taxes on income!
This bunch are giving away the show. I see a bad end for them once the others find out!
What Congressional district does he represent?
LOL Yes, and cats are also actually aliens studying us. But don’t tell anyone, they have a great gig! ;)
Yes, but it takes some anatomical changes.
Isn’t upright posture sometimes cited as evidence of hominid evolution?? ......
Well, as you see... not really.
I guess you’re the expert.
Gorillas are much faster than any linebacker -- 25 mph top speed, when needed. Quicker too. And a silverback could probably throw a 350 lb offensive lineman about 15 feet in the air.
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