WATCH: Indigo-ing, going… gone

Friday 22 March 2019

A “mischievous” male gorilla, who proved too much for his female companions, will tomorrow say goodbye to his island birthplace to join a group of bachelors in Europe.

Keepers have this week bid a fond farewell to Indigo, a six-year-old Western Lowland Gorilla, ahead of his journey to Pairi Daiza in Belgium where he will team up with his uncle and form a "bachelor pack".

The young gorilla, who has been described as “playful and often mischievous”, has reached the age where males break off from their family group before they find a mate and start their own family.  

Pictured: The "mischievous" young gorilla who is Brussels-bound this weekend.

Indigo was born at Jersey Zoo in September 2012 to parents Kahilli and Badongo, and his keepers in Jersey think that his family members in the island are going to miss him when he sets off for Brussels tomorrow. Durrell say that he will be placed in a custom crate before travelling in a climate-controlled van on the ferry to St. Malo and then driving across Europe to Pairi Daiza Zoo.

It's hoped that Indigo will arrive in his new home on Sunday morning where he'll be greeted by a familiar face - one of his Jersey zookeepers who will be there to greet him and settle him into life in the Belgian Zoo. Durrell also told Express that they will stay in regular contact with Pairi Daiza to check on Indigo's progress.

The ape’s big move will also involve him meeting his paternal uncle, Lomako, for the first time. He will also be joining him in Brussels.

Durrell say that since the young gorilla came into the world, “he has been an adored member of our gorilla family, whose playful, often mischievous personality has been enjoyed by both staff and visitors alike".

Bidding farewell to the characterful creature, Durrell have posted a video on their social media pages remembering some of Indigo’s best moments.

Video: Jersey Zoo posted this tribute to the male gorilla full of personality.

Gordon Hunt, Deputy Head of Mammals at Jersey Zoo explained that groups of gorillas are “quite dynamic” and fluctuate a lot in the wild. 

“They are family units, but members leave, particularly the young males at around this time from six [years old] onwards,” the zookeeper said. 

Indigo is going to be paired up with a male around the same age as him before forming a “temporary bachelor group” with him and his uncle.  

One of Indigo’s keepers since he was born, Senior Mammal Keeper Mark Beresford, said: “It’s always sad when an animal you spend so much time with moves onto a new home, but it’s essential that he does because it’s all a part of growing up.

Pictured: Indigo has reached the age where he would break off from his family group if he lived in the wild.

“I’m sure Kahilli, Badongo and the other gorillas will miss him, although I do think he is starting to outgrow the family group – Kishka [one of the adult females] seems to be getting a little tired of his boisterous attitude!”

Of Indigo’s departure, Gordon added: “It’s a good time for Indigo to go but obviously we’re sad to see him go, but obviously optimistic that he’s going to have a good future elsewhere, but he becomes part of your family.  

“We all look after the great apes on a daily basis, they’re very like people in many respects so you get to know them well and we have to bid him goodbye, unfortunately.”

Lead picture: Indigo, who is about to leave Jersey. (Jersey Zoo)