Gorilla baby Venus, at London Zoo

[@Jukato-f5i]

So cute! I love the baby animals and appreciate your work in making this video!

[@Ape_Appreciation]

Thank you for watching.

[@karenthompson8151]

I just was told to look at your account your had current videos of Venus and I had been wondering how she has been for a few weeks. Glad I am Able to see updates now. Thanks for the videos

[@Ape_Appreciation]

@keranthompson8151 Thank you for watching, and I am pleased it has helped you to feel more at ease about Venus. She is an absolute cuty. I was at the zoo yesterday (I thought it would be quiet because it was raining!!!, I was very mistaken)! I took some gorgeous videos of her yesterday that hopefully I will be able to uplaid soon, once I have worked out how to do it on the laptop. Please like and subscribe if you don't mind. It really helps. Please feel free to ask any questions. Thank you again for watching. 😊

[@latralla4577]

So Venus is the baby's name! 😀 It suits the little princess perfectly!

[@stephaniemercer9321]

Thank you for your video. I have been very concerned about this little girl after a very disturbing video. I can now keep up with her. I appreciate you doing the filming, and I have subscribed.

[@lindseygillum3722]

Same!!! What’s going on? Has A stopped torturing the baby? Haven’t seen any videos since the other lady stopped posting. Please catch me up anyone!!! I’ve been very worried about the situation.

[@lourdesgarcia8243]

Is Alika still with this group of Silverback gorillas? She was the female gorilla mishandling Effie’s baby. It was a very disturbing videos of this and people were very vocal about this to the Administrators of the Zoo. I’m glad to see that the baby is still alive and with its mother.🥰👍🙏❤️

[@Ape_Appreciation]

​@lindseygillum3722 Venus is fine and doing well. I did discuss the other channels video with zoo management and they explained that Alika was not trying to hurt the baby. The babies were born now because Gernot and Alika need to learn how to become responsible adults. The best way is by them observing the mums and babies, interacting with the babies and also observing Kiburi and his style of leadership. The zoo were confident that Alima was not going to or trying to hurt the baby. Gorillas communication is done through sounds (grunts) and facial/body language. When gorillas become aggressive they make certain sounds and they hold their mouths in a certain way. Often the teeth are shown. In the video Alika didn't have any signs of aggression. She is still young and yes many other sister or brother gorillas don't show that type of roughness. There is always a bigger picture as the zoo said in their statement. There are many reasons why they did not intervene. Mostly because the gorillas themselves coped with it. If they need to the keepers could intervene easily without having to take her away, which would be devastating for the troop. Alimas mouth was relaxed the whole video aswell, I forgot to say that. Please know that Alika only had Venus for a few hours, 4 was the longest amount of time the keepers would let Alika have her, but as I said they didn't have to intervene because the troop got the baby back to Effie within that time frame. I know there are people who are still very upset. I have tried to show that no matter what, she is doing well. She definitely gives Alika a wide bearth. She was scared, and it was an awful video and I'm sure the person who filmed it was traumatised. But I did speak to the zoo and see the gorillas afterwards so at least she is okay and that is why I am trying to leave that behind and move on having trust in the zoo and most of all have faith in the troop. If you still have concerns I would suggest contacting the zoo on because I am not affiliated with the zoo at all. I pay for my tickets and train fare in order to film this family. The zoos contact details are below: [e-mail].  You can also contact us on [e-mail] Thank you for watching. I appreciate it and if you want to I would love it if you subscribed.

[@Ape_Appreciation]

​@@lourdesgarcia8243Alika was not with a group of silverbacks. She lives with her mum Mjukuu and her little baby sister Juno. The silverback is Kiburi. He came to the zoo in 2022. The other female is called Effie. Mjukuu is the dominant female. Effies daughter is the younger baby who's name is Venus. She is the one Alika was playing roughly with. Alika has a half brother who is Gernot. He is slightly younger than Alika. Alika us learning how to raise a baby by watching and interacting with both mums and babies. Gernot is also learning alot at this time by watching Kiburi. So it is very important for their future to be able to interact with mums and babies. I realise the video everyone saw was upsetting and I was invited to the zoo to talk about it, and that is how my channel started. The baby was clearly scared and Alika was very rough. She has a lot to learn. The zoo are confident Venus is fine. She is a very strong little girl and her strength by now is greater than an adult woman (an average one I guess) Apparently they put a statement out today regarding the babies names. I will try to find it and post a link on my channel. I hope you enjoy watching my videos. I am trying to move on from the video where Alika had the baby. It wasn't my video and as far as I know she looks fine strong and happy. Effie isn't a perfect mother, far from it but she is a mother who loves her baby, just in a different way to Mjukuu. Please subscribe if you don't mind, it will make a difference, but no pressure. Thank you for watching. If you have any further questions regarding the other channels videos which are becoming even more upsetting, the contact details for the zoo are: [e-mail].  You can also contact us on [e-mail] I hope that is OK. Thank you for watching.😂

[@Ape_Appreciation]

​@@lindseygillum3722 I forgot to mention that all my videos are from after the Alika video. I was there on the 5th and 14th August and am planning to go tommorow.

[@sarahbrown3381]

Thank you so much for this, I fell in love with the babies when they were born but I'm in the north east and too far to travel. The baby looks well and enjoying whatever it is munching x

[@Ape_Appreciation]

Hi Sarah, it's my pleasure to share the videos. I know all about what you are talking about. I live 1 hour away from London, which is fine for these guys, but I have wanted to go to Blackpool zoo for over a year to see baby orangutan Jaraang. Every time I try to organise a trip, it turns really complicated. I start thinking that if I'm driving that far, then I should stay for a couple of days, then I can't decide who to bring, boyfriend and dog or teenage child or all three. I did that bwe many as well stay for a week, but then it's expensive so I start looking at campsites! Then that turns into me having to borrow blow up beds, maybe I should buy them, then I'm on the Internet looking for blow up beds, but then I'm thinking I need a new duvet and pillow! Then, I put my phone down and start the process again.

[@SPMarti-69]

@@Ape_AppreciationWe must be twins

[@sarahbrown3381]

@@Ape_Appreciation haha I can imagine. I’m hoping I do get to maybe get a trip to London in a few years but Life is getting in the way right now now but never say never x

[@neptunes3279]

@@Ape_Appreciation 😂😂😂😂 Glad I'm not the only one this happens to.

[@bellarella4452]

This is me 😆🤣🤣🤭 nothing is ever easy ❤ We understand ❤

[@PIA-tj5hc]

Lil Venus doesn’t have a choice she’s independent Effie is so indifferent

[@Ringo.2021]

Gott sei Dank 🙏🏼 ich habe mir schon Gedanken gemacht aber warum hat Elfie nicht eingegriffen 😢

[@Ape_Appreciation]

@Ringo.2021 It is difficult for us to understand what is happening with the troop because their communication is very subtle. Also, we only see one aspect, as in their physical appearance. They also communicate through noises and smell. The room is soundproofed, so we wouldn't be able to hear any vocalisation. According to the zoo u didn't need to intervene and she was wy Thing things closely. Mjukuu and Kiburi were also watching. It is very important for Alika to learn about being a parent, a lesson she wouldn't learn if the two babies had not been born. She needs to be able to interact with the babies. She also needs to learn what is and isn't appropriate. So separating them would have had a huge negative impact on the whole troop. Hopefully, time will tell us that she is unharmed from the íncident. Thank you for watching. Please like and subscribe if you enjoyed the video.

[@paulineszymanski8650]

Because she is a crappy 'mother", I will never understand how anyone can not only defend her but they keep doing so. Disgusting.

[@neptunes3279]

Baby Eff looks like she was enjoying her evening stroll with mum. She's such a pretty fluffy little thing, bright eyed and curious. Just subscribed to your channel. Thank you for sharing this video. 💖💖🦍

[@Ape_Appreciation]

Thank you. That is kind of you.Her eyes are very different to any other baby I have seen. Very recognisable and beautiful.

[@denisemorris1177]

I’m so in love with both babies. Little Effie is my special. 🥰🥰🥰😘

[@Ape_Appreciation]

I think we all are. They are so much smaller than they look on video. It is true that the camera puts on a lot of weight! Thank you for watching. If you don't mind I would appreciate it is you can like and subscribe to my channel 😊

[@luizfernandonoronha2681]

Há algum problema na relação da Gorila mãe com o filho. A mãe parece não estar ligando muito para o filho. Tem que ficar de olho. A outra gorila mãe tem um apego e protege melho o filho.

[@Ape_Appreciation]

@Luizfernanonoronh Thank ypu for watching my video and commenting. I'm sorry you feel worried about Effies baby. I have been visiting the gorillas for nearly a month and before that watching videos and there is absolutely a difference in parenting styles between the two mum certainly. However I believe Effie loves her daughter and even when the baby looks alone in videos, her mum is always close by. Below is a paragraphfrom the London Zoo app with an email you can write to if you continue to worry: Other enquiries For any other comments or queries, please email [e-mail] (7. You can also contact us [e-mail] CGand tell us what you loved most, what you've learned or maybe what you'd like us to provide more I plan to continue to video at least once a week for as long as people want to watch so feel free to watch and comment anytime. I would appreciate a subscribe as well. I'm thinking of doing a live feed soon when I am at the zoo so I will put a notice up when I plan to do it. Take care 😊

[@ninawest8]

I'm so glad you explained that, I was worried too. You see more than we do. I appreciate the videos and the explanations. 🦍🤎🦍🩶🦍🤍

[@4rsalways]

Why are your videos so short and no sound?

[@Ape_Appreciation]

@4rsalways, thank you for watching the video. I started my channel on the 5th of August, so it hasn't been very long. Up to today, I have edited my videos on my phone. The noise in the indoor area of the gorilla kingdom is excruciating and not peaceful. There are children screaming and people jostling for a place to be able to see. I didn't want that in my videos. I have been told by the curator that the indoor area where we can view the gorillas is soundproofed, so luckily, they can't hear much. We are not allowed to touch the glass either. There are green stickers on the windows, I was told by a lady I met yesterday who regularly visits the zoo because people were taking pictures with flash, and it was distressing the animals. Apparently, one of the silverbacks (not the one they have at the moment) nearly broke the glass because it was making him angry, and in real life, those guys are very big. The other reason there is no sound or sound track played over is simply because I have no idea how to do it. I have been uploading videos for a few weeks, and it is very hit and miss. I have been trying to edit on the laptop today since this morning. It is 5 pm now, and I still haven't worked out how to open KZbin studio under my new ape_appreciation account!! The shortness of my videos has the same reasons as above and because I film on my phone. I do have longer videos you might not have seen, I have one from yesterday that is 20 minutes and one waiting that is 10 minutes. That one has a close-up of poo that I've been trying to disguise and still have not worked it out how to do. I hope you will stay and watch my videos, and if you are willing, please can I ask you to subscribe and like, if you do like them. Thank you for watching 😊

[@Ape_Appreciation]

@4rsalways, I have now posted a short and a video and left the background noise on, just for you. The video that has a bright blue thumbnail and the short where Venus steals her dad's food. I did it just for you. Please let me know if you would prefer the noise as it happened or music or birds tweeting. Actually, I will try to do a poll of what people prefer on my community page. Thank you for watching. 😊

[@susant236]

I would love to know whether this video was taken before August 2nd or 3rd! Effie's baby was in a video showing horrible treatment by another female gorilla and there hasn't been another video that was recorded since that time.

[@Ape_Appreciation]

Every single video on my chanel has been filmed on the 5th or the 14th August 2024. I have stated this on many of the videos and if you haven't bothered to read the descriptions of my videos then please start. The zoo contact details can be found on their Web site and app, but here it is in case ypu are not able to find it. Other enquiries For any other comments or queries, please email [e-mail].  You can also contact us on [e-mail] and tell us what you loved most, what you've learned or maybe what you’d like us to provide more of This is the link to the contact us page: www.londonzoo.org/about-us/contact-london-zoo Thank you for watching my videos.

[@susant236]

@@Ape_Appreciation This is the first video of yours that I've seen. And actually, the London Zoo was unresponsive to a concern I sent them about the situation. I am very relieved to see Effie's baby healthy and apparently safe. However, the tone of your reply is unnecessarily curt and not welcoming to new subscribers.

[@Ape_Appreciation]

​@susant236 I apologise that I was rude. There has been a deluge of lies and emotive language about the Alika situation all day, on my channel and ii really don't want that. Please know that all my videos have been taken after the 2nd and in my opinion Effies baby appears fine. I don't expect you to subscribe, that's fine and I understand. I hope you will sometimes watch my videos and enjoy them. I'm a bit shaky but I've never done this before. Have a nice day.

[@latralla4577]

@@Ape_Appreciation There are still a lot of gorilla fans "out there" who were left without further information and answers after the disturbing footage, so anxiety and tension are still high, and for a while you can expect similar scepticizm and a bit harsh tone by new watchers who really want to make sure the babies are fine. Please don't lose your enthusiasm and sense of humour, I know it's not easy to handle this situation, but right now you're the only genuine source of information for those who're keen to watch the London gorilla family. Cheer up, things will settle down soon! Have a nice trip to the zoo next time!

[@susant236]

@@Ape_Appreciation Thank you for your response. There are so many people who love the gorillas and also have a passion for ethical and humane treatment that protects their well-being in captivity. The original videos we saw involving Alika were detailed and clearly real. The person who posted those videos was right to raise awareness and try to help. I feel it is important that people do raise concerns, perhaps protest and hold facility carers responsible because advocacy and accountability of vulnerable animals in care is what keeps standards maintained or improved. Unfortunately, KZbinrs can bear the brunt of unfiltered comments. If you are receiving abusive or unkind comments, I'm sorry you are having to experience that. It is a huge relief to know that Effie's baby is ok. Thank you for your videos.

[@latralla4577]

I don't know if the baby is a male or a female, but definitely there's something girlish in her appearance. A cutie pie!🥰

[@Ape_Appreciation]

She is a she and her name has been released. She is called Venus and her half sister is called Juno. I'm not sure how they chose the names.

[@Allison_Taylor]

🦍🦍🦍

[@Ape_Appreciation]

Thank.you for watching Alison! Your girlfriend spent the whole time I was videoing fast asleep on the bench!!! That was an expensive nap for me! I hope you feel a bit better xxx

[@tammyfain2881]

Why does the mother Gorilla seem so uninterested in that precious baby. She just walks off and leaves the little one. No wonder the other gorilla had a chance to take the baby and torture it. Can't something be done?. I watch a lot of other videos and other mother gorillas are very protective of their babies. It breaks my heart watching this little one trying to chase after her mother 😞

[@Ape_Appreciation]

@tammyfain2881 Thank you for watching my video. If you look carefully at the video, Venuses mum is always within arms reach. When gorilla babies get to around 6 months, it is normal for mothers to allow their babies to venture further from them. Venus is a strong baby, very inquisitive, and I think it is a good thing that she is allowed to grow and be more independent. Mjukuus baby is a lot smaller than Venus, and Mjukuu is more protective, possibly because she is very slight. I honestly don't think Alika was 'torturing' Venus. Admittedly, she was very rough, especially looking at it from a human point of view. In the end, what I think, you think, others think about what happened, we all want the same thing. For Venus to be safe and happy. I think she is. Effie was handreared. The guidelines for the management of wild animals held in captivity are regularly updated, taking up to date research into consideration. There is a section on handrearing infants, and the basic message us don't, unless it is 100% needed. If a zoo does have to look after an infant they need to keep the baby in a cage alongside the troop, and treat the baby as closely to how a gorilla mum would manage, including carrying them on the back, or ensuring the baby can touch and cking to something that closely resembles a gorilla mother. The zoo is also required to start the process of reintroducing the baby to the troop within the first month of life. If it appears to not be possible, the zoo needs to be working on finding a successful surrogate very, very quickly. I'm saying all this even though you didn't say anything about handrearing, but I think it shows part of why the zoo did not step in when Alika had Venus. They would have if needed, but the troop sorted it out long before it got to that stage. She didn't have the baby for even 4 hours. If she had that, that was when the zoo would have stepped in. The way they would do that would be subtle, such as enticing Alika to a room or offering her indictment they now she likes, and she would have given the baby to Effie again. I don't know for sure, but I don't think it has happened again. Certainly, the days I've visited Venus were very close to Mum. Backing up to the damage handrearing can cause Effie is an example of that. She isn't as attentive and socially. There are issues, and she didn't know how to look after Gernnot, which is why Mjukuu took him. (The details about that are not that simple, but it's something people need to remember. Effie has issues because she was handreared. If they had taken Gernot, she wouldn't have learned from Mjukuu as much. If they took Venus, Alika wouldn't get as much of an opportunity to learn. The effects go on for years. The last thing I wanted to mention is I watch a channel in the US, as I'm sure most of my regular viewers probably do. It's Larry's animal kingdom ( something like that) I was watching last night and Keyembe, the two and a half year old managed to steal Jameela (7 months) without Freddy noticing or perhaps worrying. He isn't big and is still a baby himself. He was very rough, and she kept trying to pull away, but he just jumped on tip of her and pulled her back to the corner. The reason I'm mentioning it is because she got to the point where she was desperate, and she let out an amazingly hard to miss or forget screech. That screech got the adults running. When Alika had Venus inside, we wouldn't know if she screeched as the room is sound proofed. When I spoke to the curator, he said if she had got really desperate, she would have screeched. She was scared, definitely. I don't know how she cake back to Effie but he said even if the adults don't look like they are watching, watch their side eye, they were watching but also letting Alika have some time with the baby. I apologise for such a long essay of a reply. I feel very passionate about it, and I go on a bit. I am just asking people at least when watching my videos if you are concerned. Let's have a discussion. You don't have to agree with me but I want people to always know that alot is going on around the screen and it really want people to realise that and try to trust the zoo if you can. I hope its OK and just know my long answer isn't meant as anything apart from sharing what I've learned and asking people to remember 5 minutes out of 24 hours is never going to give us a clear picture of that day. I'd like to do my videos. Please like and subscribe. Thanks again for watching. 😊 😳 I really need to cut my replies down!!!

[@Ape_Appreciation]

And excuse the many spelling and grammar errors. I'm particularly bad at grammar.

[@tammyfain2881]

@@Ape_Appreciation Thank you for explaining that to me. Little Venus is such a cute precious little one. I also watch Larry's videos. Little Kunda and Jameela and kyeemba (probably spelled his name wrong) are all so precious ❤️ Thank you for sharing your videos. I have subscribed to your channel and can't wait to see more of your videos.

[@paulineszymanski8650]

Too bad that you believe the lies, she is the worst 'mother' I have ever seen. If she had been 'so close" as claimed the baby would have never been taken.