Making Connections with Gorillas

Meeting Gorillas at the Zoo

I arrived at the primate area in the Calgary Zoo just after the zoo opened and made a new friend. She was just lying there, looking at me. When I came towards her, she put her hand up to the glass, so I did too. Then she sat up and started mimicking me, wherever I touched the glass. She was eager to interact and garner attention. I felt sorry for her in her cage—wishing she could be out in the forests where she belongs.

It was really neat to interact with her and feel like I was being seen by such a beautiful and intelligent animal. When I tried to leave, she stood on her pail and banged her hands on the glass until I came back. Personally, I think she’s feeling left out because there is a new baby in the troop.

I also create some charcoal drawings exploring the silhouettes and shadows of gorillas using charcoal and white acrylic paint. You can get prints of these in the shop over here.