Headline:
Julius: The 45-Year-Old Gorilla Celebrating Life in Style at Kristiansand Zoo
Byline:
Natives of Kristiansand shower love on their favorite primate, who’s lived a life full of ups and downs.
Article:
Norvège’s favorite gorilla, Julius, turned 45 on December 2nd, and the residents of Kristiansand spare no expense in celebrating their beloved ape. From a lavish birthday cake made of frozen smoothie and filled with an assortment of fruits and vegetables, to a plethora of Christmas presents scattered across his habitat, Julius knows how to enjoy life’s little pleasures.
But Julius’ life hasn’t always been a party. Born on December 2nd, 1979, to mother Sanne, Julius faced an uncertain future. Sanne soon lost interest in her newborn, and other gorillas in the troop turned aggressive towards the little one. The director of the zoo at the time, Edvard Moseid, and the resident vet, William "Billy" Glad, stepped in to save Julius’ life. They decided to raise Julius with human caretakers to increase his chances of survival.
Growing up, Julius lived with various human families, where he learned to enjoy life’s comforts. He loved drinking chocolate milk, learning to use utensils, and even discovered the joy of driving a car. His human caretakers took him on numerous boat trips and holiday adventures.
However, integrating Julius back into his gorilla troop presented challenges. In many years, he lived separately from the other gorillas, sharing spaces with different female companions. In 2005, Julius was finally reintegrated into the troop, and he quickly established himself as the undisputed leader. Today, Julius is father to five young gorillas, with the latest addition born this year.
The average lifespan of a gorilla in the wild is around 40-50 years, but many live over 60 in captivity. Julius’ caretakers hope he’ll join the ranks of the oldest gorillas on record.
Julius is a western lowland gorilla, a critically endangered species with fewer than 2,500 individuals left in the wild. The exact number of western lowland gorillas in zoos worldwide is unknown, but they play a crucial role in conservation efforts.
The ape scene in Kristiansand Zoo includes an engaging audio series, "Hele historien" (The Whole Story), featuring adventurous encounters with Julius and his fellow primates. The zoo’s dedicated staff, including dyrepasser (animal keeper) Hildegunn Johansen, have cared for Julius for over 20 years, fostering a deep bond with Norway’s favorite gorilla.
Image captions and audio transcript available upon request.
