Say hello to Good Bye Gorillas

Nearly thirty silverback gorillas are converging on Paignton Zoo. It’s not a great ape convention – it’s one of the final stages in the successful Great Gorillas Project.

The Goodbye Gorillas event will be held at Paignton Zoo between Friday 18th and Sunday 20th October.

Paignton Zoo spokesperson Phil Knowling said: “It’s a last chance to see all the Great Gorillas together, catch up with any you missed on the trail and say good bye to this extraordinary collection before most are sold off.” The weekend is also an opportunity for those aiming to bid for Great Gorillas at the auction to preview the lots.

The bulk of the decorated life-size gorillas will be lined up down the main drive of the Zoo, alongside Monkey Heights. Some of the more delicate gorillas will be in the Hub building nearby. Usual entry prices will apply throughout the weekend.

“More than two dozen large, painted gorillas all in a row - it is going to look absolutely amazing!”

On Friday 18th October, Palm FM will be broadcasting Colin Leslie’s daytime show live from Paignton Zoo between 10.00am and 1.00pm. There will be interviews, crowd interaction and lots of information about the project and about the charity auction, when most of the gorillas will be sold, on 6th November.

The project, celebrating Paignton Zoo’s 90th birthday, has seen life-size model gorillas sponsored by businesses, painted in original designs by specially-commissioned artists and displayed in public, creating a unique free art trail around Exeter and the English Riviera.

Paignton Zoo Director of Marketing & Development Pippa Craddock said: “Good Bye Gorillas is the perfect opportunity to see the gorillas together and to decide which one you want to buy!”

Visitors will have the chance to register their interest for tickets to the Great Gorillas auction on 6th November. For further information go to: www.greatgorillas.org.uk.