Celebrating the life of Pertinax

Pertinax, lovingly known as ‘Pert’, arrived to Paignton Zoo 25 years ago in April 1997 at just 15 years old. Along with friend Claus, Pertinax made the trip from Cologne Zoo to Paignton’s brand new Marie Le Fevre Ape Centre before being joined by two other male gorillas. The gorillas were the first residents of the new Ape Centre, which was officially opened by His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in July 1998.

Even though they only look after males, Paignton Zoo fulfils a vital function in the European breeding programme for Critically Endangered western lowland gorillas. Their role in the programme is to raise young males in a natural social setting until they’re needed in other zoos as breeding males.

Over the years, Pertinax has been a father figure to many young gorillas at Paignton Zoo, bringing up three different groups of males. The current bachelor group, made up of teenagers N’Dowe, Kivu and Kiondo, came to the zoo as juveniles and were raised by Pertinax, who was well-placed to teach them ‘gorilla etiquette’.

As the group has grown into adolescence, Pertinax grew into ‘retirement’ in search of a quieter life, meaning that he gets his own space away from the boisterous teens. In his retirement years, Pertinax formed close bond with his keepers and spent much of his time relaxing and pottering around the island.

If you would like to contribute to the daily care of our remaining gorillas, or support our conservation work, please consider leaving a donation to Wild Planet Trust. Any contribution, no matter the size, would be greatly helpful in supporting our charitable mission. For a more bespoke donation, please contact Fundraise@wildplanettrust.org.uk