*****
Summary of Description:
A primate keeper named Erin Stromberg filmed a playful wrestling match between two gorillas named Moke and Kibibi in the Great Ape House. They resulted in funny gorilla laughter, which sounds low, breathy, and staccato.
*****
Gorillas Laugh Too: Moke and Kibibi’s Playtime
Behind the scenes of the Great Ape House at the National Zoo lies a moment of pure joy between two western lowland gorillas – Moke and Kibibi. Their playful wrestling match, captured on camera by primate keeper Erin Stromberg, displays the lighter side of these gentle giants.
The Playful Wrestle
As Moke and Kibibi engage in their wrestling match, their movements appear as graceful as they are playful. Their tumbling and rolling are punctuated by breathy, staccato vocalizations that can only be described as gorilla laughter. The sounds are infectious and can be heard even by humans not in the same physical space.
Erin Stromberg, who filmed the moment, notes that gorilla laughter is like nothing else in the animal kingdom. A low, breathy, and staccato vocalization permeates the air with a sense of playfulness and whimsy.
Winning the Game
While there is no clear winner in Moke and Kibibi’s wrestling match, the video is a testament to the importance of play in the lives of gorillas. As social animals, gorillas rely on space to establish bonds with one another, communicate effectively, and reduce stress.
According to the National Zoo, gorillas engage in various play behaviors, including wrestling, tickling, and even chasing after one another. These behaviors serve an important purpose in their social structures, allowing gorillas to bond with one another and establish social hierarchies.
Playing with Purpose
However, play is not just limited to the social side of gorilla life. It also serves to help them develop important physical and cognitive skills that they will use throughout their lives.
For example, gorillas engage in rough-and-tumble play as infants and juveniles, which helps them to develop essential physical skills like balance, strength, and coordination. As they age, they engage in more complex play behaviors, like problem-solving games and social simulations, which help them develop cognitive skills.
Additionally, the play has been shown to reduce stress in captive gorillas. Encouraging play activities in zoos and other confined situations can help gorillas feel more at home and minimize captivity’s negative impacts on their mental health.
The Importance of Captive Environments
Moke and Kibibi’s playtime is a testament to the importance of play in gorilla life and the extent of well-designed captive environments. Zoos and other confined settings can provide opportunities for gorillas to engage in play and socialization that might not be available to them in the wild.
At the same time, zoos and other wildlife organizations must balance the need for play and socialization with the need for conservation and environmental preservation. While captivity can provide opportunities for gorillas to play and interact with humans in a controlled setting, it cannot replace these animals’ vital social and ecological roles in their natural habitats.
The Takeaway
Ultimately, Moke and Kibibi’s playful wrestling match is a reminder that gorillas are not just fascinating animals but also complex and social beings with unique personalities and needs. Encouraging play and socialization in zoos and other captive settings is essential to caring for these animals and can help maintain their physical and mental well-being.
At the same time, supporting conservation efforts that protect wild gorilla populations is crucial to ensuring the survival of these magnificent animals for generations to come.
*****
Source Description
❤️? In a playful wrestling match between western lowland gorillas Moke + Kibibi, everyone wins. Primate keeper Erin Stromberg filmed this special moment as she made her rounds behind the scenes at the Great Ape House. ?? Turn up the volume and listen for low, breathy, staccato vocalizations—that is what gorilla laughter sounds like!
