Zoo Acquires New Stud Gorilla, All 432 Pounds of Him

Once the gorilla is acclimated to his new digs, the Philadelphia Zoo will attempt to breed Motuba with Kira.

The Philadelphia Zoo recently acquired a silverback gorilla, Motuba, in a breeding deal with the Henry Doorly Zoo of Omaha, Nebraska. It was set up by the Gorilla Species Survival Plan. Why, it’s the biggest acquisition this town has made since Chip Kelly signed on as Eagles coach!

The zoo is attempting to breed Motuba, 29, with 14-year-old Kira. Frankly, this is well out of the “half your age plus seven” general rule for dating — but since gorillas are endangered, I shall let it slide.

According to KYW 1060’s John McDevitt, this new gorilla does not like reporters:

While we were there, Motuba seemed to take umbrage at the presence of news reporters and photographers. He smacked the glass of his enclosure with his palm, backed by the full force of his weight. So, is he still getting adjusted to his new home?

“It is very typical of male gorillas,” said gorilla keeper Kristen Farley-Rambo. “He is still adjusting. He only arrived here on Thursday, so he is still getting adjusted and he is exploring his new digs and everything. You know, there are a lot of people here today. He’s just showing off. That’s pretty much what they do.”

Newsworks’ Nathaniel Hamilton gives us the gorilla tale of the tape: Born in Columbus, Ohio, 432 pounds, nicknamed “Tubby.” The Inquirer‘s Seth Zweifler notes that “zoo staffers will do everything they can to facilitate you know what.” Sex. The Inquirer was talking about gorillas doing the nasty but didn’t think you’d be able to handle it.