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Kiddin' Around: Gorilla Treeway

Philadelphia Zoo’s newest overhead trail invites all five resident gorillas to explore.

The Philadelphia zoo unveiled its newest addition to the overhead animal trail system allowing gorillas to travel out of their compound. Calling it the Gorilla Treeway the animals are expanding their world via the 300 foot passageway. (ED HILLE / Staff Photographer )
The Philadelphia zoo unveiled its newest addition to the overhead animal trail system allowing gorillas to travel out of their compound. Calling it the Gorilla Treeway the animals are expanding their world via the 300 foot passageway. (ED HILLE / Staff Photographer )Read more

The long: The latest addition to the Philadelphia Zoo's 3,000-foot overhead trail system - already used by tigers, lions, lemurs and orangutans - gives five resident gorillas space to step out of the Primate Reserve and onto netted platforms overhead.

The short: It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a silverback!

The deets: Twelve-foot-high platform, enclosed by "extremely strong" (according to Zoo COO Andy Baker), stainless-steel wire mesh, stretches 300 feet from the back of chez gorilla north to Bird Lake.

The dirt: Solid platforms above sidewalks ensure that visitors won't be hit by unexpected droppings.

Time share: The gorilla group explores the space separately: Silverback Motuba (age 30) can go through with Western lowland ladyfriends Kira (15) and Honi (20). Bachelors Lewis (16) and Kuchimba (12) take to the trails singly for now, together later, if they're in the mood for a play date.

Out and about: Baker's not predicting which gorillas will take to the trail but believes they'll be curious. "By and large, you open a door, and most animals want to know what is on the other side," he said. On opening day, Honi and Kira were early adopters. Motuba, not so much.

Trail mix: Skyward snacks include standard-issue primate chow, romaine, tomatoes and kale.

Don't mix: So far, species don't share overhead space. That might change later this year, when small and large primates might take turns on trails.

Rain or shine: Rainforest is a gorilla's natural habitat, so they'll likely be out during showers. Except Lewis, who, said Baker, "is known for not liking the rain."

No coincidence: It's the year of the gorilla.

If you drive: Parking garage and lots off Girard Avenue, $15.

If you SEPTA: Route 15 trolley, Route 38 bus.

The basics: 3400 W. Girard Ave., 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, $18-$20 (under 2 free), 215-243-1100, philadelphiazoo.org.