Taro the 50 yrs old silverback gorilla has the smoothest feet⎮JAPAN MONKEY CENTER⎮日本モンキーセンター ゴリラのタロウ

{Part 1} I visited the Japan Monkey Center in October, 2023, just for a day. This video was filmed in the morning. When I arrived at the center, Taro was relaxing outdoors. Short clips of the Tsutomu family of chimpanzees appear in the beginning. Taro enters his indoor exhibit, looking around the room. He eats a tomato first. He loves red veggies and fruits. He checks the keeper’s area. Then he reaches for lettuce. He takes time to eat all the lettuce. After eating lettuce, he gets carrots and sweet potatoes, and he starts eating them one by one while lying down on a bed made of hay and blankets. The soles of his feet are smooth like a baby gorilla's. They are different from the feet of other silverbacks in Japan. Taro’s fingers are very thick, but he seems to be the smallest silverback among others. His weight is estimated to be around 150kg (330 lbs). He makes his bed by moving hay while lying down. Taro taps his chest and bangs the viewing window lightly, as if to say hello to visitors. Taro yawns. The video ends with short clips of Jimmie's group of chimpanzees. The footage is divided into two or three episodes. It will continue to the afternoon edition. I hope you enjoy watching.
Momotaro approx. 185kg (408 lbs)
Shabani approx. 200kg (440 lbs)
Haoko approx. 220kg (485 lbs)
Monta's weight is unknown, but I assume it is around the same as Momotaro's.
References:
1️⃣ Experimental video posted by JMC on which red fruits & veggies Taro likes the most
• 【飼育員ガイド：ニシゴリラ】タロウさん vs...
2️⃣ JMC Magazine 'Monkey No.224'
Updated on November 20, 2023
Filmed in October 2023
Place Filmed: Japan Monkey Center, Inuyama, Japan
Accessibility
I have added captions for this video for international viewers as well as viewers who feel the already-given subtitles are too small to read. You can change the design and size of your subtitles on your device. Furthermore, if you turn the transcription on, you can read the subtitles later without stopping the video in the middle. Please note that languages except English and Japanese are automatically translated by KZbin, so subtitles in those languages may not be accurate. If you can't find your language in the captions, please feel free to let me know.
TARO
Male, silverback
DOB: 1973/04/20 (YYYY/DD/MM)
POB: Nuremberg Zoo, Germany
Sire: Fritz
Dam: Delphi
Hand-reared
No offspring
Siblings: Lomela (dead), Toni (Kyiv Zoo), Willy (dead), Wilma (dead; she left 6 offspring)
Half sibling: Schorsch (dead)
- In November 1975, he was transferred to Dublin Zoo, Ireland (age 2).
- In May 1986, he was transferred to Longleat Safari Park, England (age 13).
- In November 1986, he was transferred to Edinburgh Zoo, Scotland (age 13).
- In April 1989, he was transferred to JMC, Japan (age 16). He weighed 134kg. He had habits of coprophagy and R/R.
- In June 1989, he started living with Hanako (female est age 20), and he had lived with her for about 20 years. They didn't mate.
- On February 25, 2009, Hanako passed away. Taro was 35 years old. He's been kept solitary since then.
According to his keeper, his current weight is estimated to be around 150kg which is the smallest among the silverbacks in Japan.
Links
📍Japan Monkey Center (English)
www.j-monkey.jp/lng/en/
Other Links
📍GAIN Great Ape Information Network
shigen.nig.ac.jp/gain/top.jsp
📍Gorillas Land
www.gorillasland.com/
📍Dewar Wildlife
www.dewarwildlife.org/
MUSIC: Epidemic Sound
1️⃣ Keep on Running - Marc Torch 2️⃣ Haymow Snooze - Alice Spence 3️⃣ Fool's Paradise - Ofelia Moore 4️⃣ Hush My Darling - Yi Nantiro 5️⃣ Monsoon - SINY
✨ Thank you for subscribing, commenting and liking my videos. Stay tuned to the next episode. ✨
/ karintogorillas
/ karintogorillas
#Karinとゴリラ #karintogorillas #westernlowlandgorilla

[@KathyJo.]

He looks wonderful to be 50 years old! Thank you for sharing Taro with us 😃😃🦍❤️

[@karintogorillas]

Thank you Kathy for watching. I agree. He looks great for his age.😊

[@nancym5814]

This is my first time of watching Taro as well. He's beautiful! I love him. Cannot believe he is 50! In such good shape and even his hair is shiny and healthy looking. Also the music with this video is perfect! I appreciate your notes as well!! 👏👏🏆🏆🏆❤️❤️

[@karintogorillas]

Thank you for your kind comment. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@TheFlashyWeasel]

He certainly looks amazing for his age, Nene will be 52 January 1 2024. Thank you for the info on Taro!

[@karintogorillas]

Yes, he looks fine for his age. Nene is the oldest gorilla in Japan.😊 Nene also looks amazing for her age. Thank you TheFlashyWeasel for watching!

[@merilynnecohen2941]

Thank you, Karin, for taking us along on your visit to this facility! It was fascinating and wonderful to meet Taro and the other primates who have lived such long and wonderful lives! Bless their hearts!

[@karintogorillas]

Thank you Merilynne for your warm comment. Yes, Taro has been well taken care of by his caretakers. I felt he was very loved and cared for well.

[@ZombieQueen819]

Thank you so very much for introducing another very handsome silverback to me 🌹. For being 50 he looks strong and very content. I loved the heart 💜 on his bum 😂😂. And thank you for all the information about him.🌹🌹

[@karintogorillas]

You are most welcome. Thank you Zombie Queen Crafting for your comment as always.

[@ZombieQueen819]

@@karintogorillas 🌹🌹

[@lm9991]

Thank you, Karen! I love how Taro is well taken care of. He does seem slower and a bit more stiff than the last video I saw of him. There is something very attractive about Taro. Thanks for the great shots and video.

[@karintogorillas]

Thank you LM for watching the video of Taro. He seems to a bit slower nowadays, but he looks pretty content.

[@user-dt7tw7df3u]

タロウさんが飼育員さんと仲良く遊ぶ動画を見たことがあります。きっとケアがしっかりしてると思います。 穏やかに過ごしてほしいですね。

[@karintogorillas]

これからも穏やかにおいしいご飯を食べながら飼育員さんを従えて😆タロウさんらしく過ごしてほしいです。良子さん、あたたかいコメントありがとうございました⭐

[@terrismith3359]

Taro is still handsome and looks good for his age! Thank you, Karin, for another great video. 🎉❤

[@karintogorillas]

Yes, he is.😊 Thank you Terri for watching!

[@karenthompson8151]

He looks amazing for his age. I have never seen him before. Thank you for sharing

[@karintogorillas]

Thank you Karen for watching! Yes, he does look amazing for his age.😊

[@littlelotus7]

Beautiful video!!!!! Thank you, Karin. Taro looks so content and comfy. 🙏🪷🥰❤️

[@karintogorillas]

You are most welcome. Thank you Shannon for watching!

[@sonjavandam1306]

I last saw Taro on his 50th birthday, the fact that he is this age means to me & he is well cared for & eats well say's alot. He deserves to have a blanket & straw to lie down & live his twilight years in peace & comfort. I still don't understand what they were thinking when constructing their homes out of concrete.🤔 Guess I will never know. Thank you Karin, Taro is beautiful with soft feet.😉. You certainly have been busy filming these magnificent Gorilla's to share with us.💛🌟

[@karintogorillas]

He has four siblings, and only Toni is still alive at Kyiv Zoo. I guess when they were constructing their homes back then, most of the zoos prioritized the efficiency of maintaining the rooms clean. In addition, it gets very humid during the summer in Japan, so making easy-to clean facilities was the only option they could come up with in order to keep their homes clean and hygienic. Thank you Sonja for watching and commenting as always!

[@suzanne5781]

He's magnificent, I wish he was living in the wild!

[@mmaphilosophy]

He is amazing for 50 ❤

[@karintogorillas]

I agree! Thank you MMA Philosophy for watching!

[@user-pc6sl1tg3m]

東山のネネさんの次に高齢ですよね🦍😊 健康第一に過ごしていけますように🦍❤

[@karintogorillas]

ネネさんが日本最高齢ゴリラですね😊そして今もなおスタスタ歩かれていてすごい。これからもタロウとネネにも健やかに過ごしてほしいですね。アイちゃんさん、コメントありがとうございました⭐

[@saito-ponta-mc6nd6hn7k]

立派なお腹なので画像だけ見ていると大きなゴリラだと思う人が多いでしょうね。シャバーニを見た後だと余計に小柄に感じたのではないですか？😂　坂道だらけのこの施設は、私にはもう無理です。訪ねてくれてありがとう。ちなみに、世界ゴリラの日のタロウさんの唄の動画も、私は好きです😂

[@karintogorillas]

シャバーニよりタロウは来園者に近いところにいるせいか、シャバーニを見た後もタロウは小さく見えませんでした😁でもきになって調べてみると国内で一番小さいらしいということがわかりました。東山もゴリラ舎まで急な階段があり、ベンチで休んでいた高齢の方とお話ししたときにゴリラ舎までくるのが大変だったとおっしゃっていました。タロウさんの唄すてきですよね！斉藤ぽん太さん、ご視聴・コメントありがとうございました⭐

[@saito-ponta-mc6nd6hn7k]

@@karintogorillas シャバーニ達は2018年9月に引っ越ししたのですよね。私は4月に訪ねたのが最後になりました。当時は犬山の坂も広い東山もなんのその、もちろん息切れしていたけど😂翌日は京都、6月に出産予定のローラに会って無事の出産を願いました。その時はまだゲンキの妊娠は知りませんでした。来年はまた名古屋と京都をはしごして、シャバーニの新居と京都の赤ちゃんに会うことを楽しみにしていたのですが、、。しかし、動画を投稿してくださる方たちのおかげで、ロジャーやキンタロウの成長を見ることが出来ました、年に一度か二度訪ねるのがやっとでしたが、今はほぼ毎日！😊ありがたいですね。もちろん、Karinさんにも感謝申し上げます。

[@karintogorillas]

動物園はけっこう歩くので私も日本に帰省すると頻繁に動物園へ出掛けていくのでとたんに運動量が上がり、ダイエット効果にあやかっております😂しかし高齢の方々には人ごみでよく前も見えないうえに、山あり谷あり階段ありでは、よほど近所に住んでいない限りはとても気軽に訪れられるところではないですよね。そういう意味で動画配信がお役に立ていることはうれしいです。私も海外にいる間は他の方の動画は見て動物について勉強させてもらっています。斉藤ぽん太さんのように楽しんでご視聴いただけている方からのコメントうれしくはげみにしております🙏こちらこそありがとうございます！

[@reiko9353]

Karin さん、タロウさんの映像ありがとうございます。フサフサの腕と太い指で大きいと思ってました。私も゙会いに行きたいと思っています。

[@karintogorillas]

わたしもタロウさんが小柄という印象は会う前も会った後もないです。たぶんハオコやシャバーニの隣にタロウさんが並んだら気づくかもしれないですね😊Reikoさん、あたたかいコメントありがとうございました⭐️タロウさんに会える日が楽しみですね。

[@GaryO-cw3qy]

I just love Taro so much he reminds me of my grandpa.❤😊

[@karintogorillas]

Thank you Gary for watching!😊

[@Danielleb723]

He is so beautiful.

[@karintogorillas]

Yes, he is! Thank you Danielle for watching!

[@irenekopec9892]

Taro looks amazing and content. Appreciate your dedication as well as the backstory info always well done.

[@karintogorillas]

Yes, he seems to be content. Thank you Irene for your warm comment.

[@c_g_2038]

Vielen Dank für diese schönen Aufnahmen und Momente. ❤❤❤

[@karintogorillas]

You are welcome! Vielen Dank fürs Zuschauen.

[@lynngold1865]

Thank you Karin for this glimpse in Taro's life.What a beautiful spirit he has.He is so beautifully taken care of by the keepers. He seem very content.His feet are pretty.Thx for the weights of the silverbacks.They all look gigantic but I know they are different in weight.Your videos are the best.Hope you are well.💞🦍💞😉👯‍♀️🙋‍♀️

[@karintogorillas]

Yes, Taro seems to be very content. And his feet were soft and pretty. Thank you Lynn for your warm comment. Have a great day!🦍❤️

[@katewaterbaby]

How sweet he is! Karin, thank you for sharing this special guy. Not a second of stress in his life, and his place is clean and charming. At only 330 lbs, he must be short, because he’s in perfect proportion for a hunk of a silverback. Without something to measure him against, I just imagine him beautifully HUGE! Does he have any offspring? I hope so, such good genes!

[@MySkinnydip]

He doesn’t have any offspring but his brother is Toni at the Ukraine zoo! There was a huge outpour of support for the animals that couldn’t be moved. And Toni was highlighted. He missed the visitors and his keeper was improvising on ways to keep him warm. His keeper stayed with Toni instead of fleeing. 🥹

[@mmaphilosophy]

He looks more than 330lbs wow. Yeah he was be really small in height because he looks like a tank 🦍❤

[@mmaphilosophy]

​@@MySkinnydip❤

[@karintogorillas]

I think he is short too, because he's got quite a tummy. But in person, he doesn't look that short, unless he stands next to Haoko. He was hand-reared, and when he was 2 years old, he was transferred to Dublin Zoo. I'm curious how he was introduced to other gorillas when he moved there.....Since his previous name was "Gori", it makes it even harder to search for his information online.😅 Paring him with a female gorilla didn't seem to work out in England. And after he came to Japan, he had lived with Hanako, a female gorilla, for 20 years. But they didn't have offspring. Thank you Kate for watching!

[@Charlotte-r]

He seems perfectly content, doesn't he? Such a gentle giant!

[@orange-utan]

It's my first time watching Taro. I didn't know there were another solitary gorilla besides Monta and Rola. For a 50 year old Silverback, he seem quite healthy. Taro isn't as popular as Shabani, Haoko, or Momotaro so there are not many of youtubers who upload about him. Thank you Karin for this video.

[@karintogorillas]

Thank you for watching Taro's video, Orange-utan!🦍💚

[@margiebramlett7696]

Well Taro, you're a very distinguished looking gentleman

[@karintogorillas]

I agree! Thank you for watching.

[@MySkinnydip]

He still looks strong and handsome! I’ve seen some other smaller Silverbacks. One of my favs is at Port Lympne safari park. He’s losing his sight. The other is Marcus at Dallas zoo. Marcus is a stepdad for a brother and sister. He weighs 310 lbs!

[@TheFlashyWeasel]

MSD,. Are you from the Dallas area? I've been to El Paso zoo.

[@stevemorris6790]

The Bronx zoo operated the eyes of their gorilla that was going blind!

[@TheFlashyWeasel]

And he survived the anesthesia... That's a good thing.

[@MySkinnydip]

@@TheFlashyWeasel No. I’m originally from Santa Barbara Ca. I’m in Seattle Washington now😊

[@MySkinnydip]

@@stevemorris6790 Youillou has cataracts I think. I wasn’t aware of the Bronx gorilla but there was a female gorilla that underwent the operation and she’s doing great! I forget what zoo she is at. Youillou is forty years old and has fathered 16 or 17 offspring!

[@peggy6244]

Thank you for filming this grand gentleman and sharing. He's a handsome fella and sociable too with his glass tapping❤❤

[@karintogorillas]

Thank you Peggy for watching!🦍✨

[@marykelly2409]

Hi! Karen🤗🖐️ I think this is my first time seeiing Taro's video. I enjoyed watching him. Hes well taken care of I can how healthy he looks.🌝💪🧸

[@karintogorillas]

Thank you Mary for watching the video of Taro.😊

[@Charlotte-r]

Well done video on a truly remarkable gorilla that we, unfortunately, don't get to see often. I only see birthday videos of him and, of course, those of him drinking from a water bottle. Do you have plans to visit Shou at Hamamatsu? Once again, Karin, you provide the viewers of your channel with so much information about the animals you video. Thank you.

[@karintogorillas]

Hello Charlotte! Thank you for your warm comment. This time I visited the zoos in west side of Japan. I would really love to go and see Shou on my next trip. I'm happy to know you enjoy the video of Taro. I hope you have a wonderful day!

[@brynjones7371]

What a grand gentleman he is.

[@karintogorillas]

I agree! Thank you for watching!

[@sandragarcia-qv2or]

❤❤❤Taro.es belli majestuoso su fughra es ciroulenta no tiene sugnos de vejez peroooooo.....me parece que esta muy solito recordar lis ckrklas comparten el 97.2 de nuestro ADNy lis humanos somos seres sicuales Taro edta aburrido y triste❤❤❤❤❤❤😢😢😢😢😢😢😢

[@karintogorillas]

Taro is well taken care of by his keepers. They all love Taro and take care of him with great respect. Taro and his keepers have a close relationship. They interact a lot with him. Thank you Sandra for caring about him. Gracias.

[@swamp5050]

He's beautiful, unfortunately he's 50 and never had a mate or kids to continue his genetic family tree. However, Taro has lived a long life thus far and is well taken care of so that's a plus! Thx for the back story and introducing him to me a lover of Silverback Gorilla's! 😎

[@karintogorillas]

Thank you swamp5050 for watching Taro's video. Yes, Taro is well taken care of. Otherwise, he wouldn't have made to 50. He had a female companion named Hanako. They lived for 20 years together until she passed away in 2009. Unfortunately, they didn't have offspring.😊

[@swamp5050]

@@karintogorillas Thx for the info, I'll continue to follow Taro now that I've found him!

[@lucianaaidawati]

​@@karintogorillaswhy hanako pass away 😢?

[@user-qc8mq4ex2d]

最近、モンキーセンターからのライブ配信でタロウ君が出演しないので、心配していました。タロウ君は撮影してると近くに来てくれるので、スタッフの方がタロウ君の体調を考慮しているのでしょうね。動画をありがとうございました😊

[@karintogorillas]

あ、ほんとだ。最近ライブ配信でタロウさん登場しませんね。スタッフの方がタロウに負担をかけないよう考慮してライブ配信を控えているのかもしれないですね。ひまわりさん、温かいコメントありがとうございました⭐️

[@iknowheis]

Bless him! He walks like he’s in pain.

[@karintogorillas]

Thank you for watching! I hope he isn't.

[@umagetty5565]

Hes 50 of course he has some pain, orthritis

[@learoman2526]

Hola Karin: Es la primera vez que miro a Taro y el nunca tubo su propio tropa??

[@karintogorillas]

Hola Lea. Taro had a female companion named Hanako. They lived together for 20 years until Hanako passed away. Taro was not so interested in female gorillas unfortunately. So they didn't have offspring. He was hand reared. Thank you Lea for watching!

[@A_little_something]

Miss you ... Taro san ❤❤

[@karintogorillas]

Thank you for watching!

[@stevemorris6790]

He needs a company!

[@karintogorillas]

He had a companion named Hanako. Hanako came to JMC a few years earlier than Taro. And they lived together for 20 years until Hanako passed way in 2009. He is doing quite fine by himself. He is treated very well by his caretakers, and he regards human keepers as the members of his troop.

[@MySkinnydip]

@@karintogorillas Sweet guy!

[@PatriciaPageMosaicArtsCrafts]

Agree I'm in tears thinking of this Silverback living alone, they are leaders of troops 😢

[@marykelly2409]

Karen, Hows is Monta and Rola? I thought about them while I was trying to go to sleep last night.🤔 It's 12:00 pm in the USA. 11-25-2023😊👏

[@karintogorillas]

Hi Mary. Thank you for caring about Monta and Rola. They were fine when I visited the zoo last month. I will share their footage soon. BTW, my name is Karin.😉

[@Danielleb723]

Is he depressed being alone or is that favorable to an elderly male gorilla?

[@karintogorillas]

Taro seems to be very content at the center. He is well taken care of by his keepers.

[@debphillips4719]

Nope I believe that NeNe from one of the other Japanese zoos is 51. She is the oldest and the oldest female as well

[@karintogorillas]

Yes. Nene is the oldest gorilla in Japan. Taro is the oldest silverback in Japan. Thank you for watching.😊

[@claudiadossantosfernandes1094]

O Taro esta muito bonito, ele já teve fêmeas, filhos?

[@karintogorillas]

Taro had a female partner named Hanako. She came to JMC a few years earlier than Taro did. And they lived together for 20 years until Hanako passed away in 2009. Unfortunately, they didn't have offspring. Thank you Claudia for watching.

[@lucianaaidawati]

Why taro no wife ?

[@karintogorillas]

Thank you Luciana. You can find more information about Taro in the description.