Monroe, a western lowland Gorilla at San Diego Zoo Safari Park Celebrates Second Birthday

2013-06-18 — /travelprnews.com/ — Monroe, a western lowland gorilla at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, celebrated his second birthday today, savoring a multicolored ice cake made of fruits and vegetables and adorned with yam and banana frosting, ginger leaves and jacaranda and hibiscus flowers.

The young gorilla licked and picked blueberries off his cake before running about his exhibit, playing with numerous cardboard animals and toys made by Safari Park volunteers to provide special enrichment for the precocious primate. Monroe was born at the Safari Park on June 17, 2011, and keepers say they have enjoyed watching the little guy develop and grow. They describe him as independent, curious and perpetually on the go.

Monroe’s birthday party attendees included his keepers, Safari Park guests and volunteers, Monroe’s parents Kokamo and Winston, aunt Vila, Amani and Kami, and best buddy, 4-year-old Frank. Monroe and the troop are on exhibit daily at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Western lowland gorillas are listed as critically endangered.

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