Meet Ambam, a bachelor Western Lowland gorilla at Port Lympne Wild Animal Park in Kent, England. While most gorillas are happy enough walking around on all fours, Ambam the silverback prefers a more human form of ambulation.
To the amusement of his keepers and fascinated onlookers, the agile ape has mastered the tricky art of walking upright on his hind legs for long distances.
To the amusement of his keepers and fascinated onlookers, the agile ape has mastered the tricky art of walking upright on his hind legs for long distances.
The feat has placed Ambam on the brink of international stardom. An 18-second piece of footage showing the 21-year-old male walking like a man has become the latest YouTube sensation, viewed by 250,000 people over the last few days.
Gorillas usually prefer to get around by ‘knuckle walking’ – using the padded backs of their front hands to support their huge weights as they move around the floors of forests or zoo enclosures.
However, they will also stand on two legs to reach branches or get a better view, and can walk upright, swinging their arms parallel to their opposite legs to counterbalance their weight.
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