SILVERBACK HAVING A BALL
THE cold weather might drive some people a bit batty, but a gorilla named Gugas at Belfast Zoo has been having the time of his life – making snowballs! As the chilly temperatures continue across the country today, the silverback gorilla took advantage of the recent snowfall and showcased his playful side after the zoo closed its gates due to Arctic conditions. With snow and ice blanketing parts of the North, and a number of schools and roads closed across the region, Belfast Zoo announced on January 16 that it is to remain closed until weather conditions improve. Away from the public eye, Gugas took to exploring the layer of snow cloaking the grounds of his enclosure by carefully fashioning snowballs.
This week Gugas was filmed by a zookeeper who captured the fascinating moment the silverback exhibits an impressive level of creativity and concentration.
In the footage, he can be seen standing in a hunched position, taking care not to place his bottom on the cold ground.
Concentrating deeply on his task Gugas focuses on the mound of snow in front of him while firmly rounding off his snowballs.
The motive behind this winter endeavor remains a mystery, leaving zoo staff amused and intrigued by the gorilla’s unique behaviour.
The incident has not only brought joy to the zookeepers, but has also become a viral hit on social media, with Gugas gaining unexpected fame as a snowball-savvy silverback.
Reflective of the gorilla’s intelligence and adaptability, his antics are attracting a crowd of eager visitors who await the zoo’s reopening to catch a glimpse of Gugas and his winter wonderland hi-jinks.
Meanwhile, Met Éireann said today will be another very cold day with frost, ice and fog slow to clear, and lingering in some spots.
It will be a dry and sunny day for much of the country but scattered showers of rain, sleet and snow in the northwest will spread across Ulster and north Connacht through the afternoon and evening, with temperatures of just 1C to 5C in a light northwest breeze.