Silverback gorilla turns cameraman at Durrell

This week one of Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust’s most photographed primates turned the tables and became cameraman for the day.

Ya Kwanza the conservation Trusts 27 year old silverback gorilla became adept at snapping close ups of himself with a high definition camera which was encased in an indestructible box and covered with tasty honey and oats.

The fabulous footage shows the silverback investigating the device and meticulously picking out raisins with a surprisingly delicate touch, he then turns cameraman and takes a number of close ups and profile shots before peeling off the branding on the case, after realizing this didn’t taste as good as the original flavoursome coating the inquisitive ape then happily returns the box to his keeper who was waiting on the outside of the enclosure.

The idea came from one of the Jersey based charity’s mammal keepers - Jon Stark, who having taken care of the critically endangered western lowland gorillas for four years wondered what it would be like to take a look at life from the primate’s perspective. Commenting on the plan Stark said “The animals here at the wildlife park regularly receive enrichment treats which encourage them to forage for food much as they would in the wild and help to keep them mentally stimulated. In an attempt to really get up close and personal we decided to install a HD Camera in Ya Kwanza’s daily ‘enrichment device!”