Breaking News: Ambam Delights Youtube Fans with Over 5 Million Views
By “Bad” Brad Berkwitt
Almost a month ago RSR’s very own Managing Editor Geno McGahee covered a story on a gorilla named Ambam that could walk upright like a human.
Well, at press time, Ambam has reached a combined 5 million views on Youtube for this rare and talented gorilla.
The first 18-second piece of film reached a massive three million views, but after claims the clip was fake, staff at Port Lympe uploaded a second film which has received almost two million hits.
Phil Ridges, head gorilla keeper at the park, which is located near Folkestone, said staff were totally unprepared for the response.
“Ambam has been exhibiting this behavior his whole life,” he said.
“Just days after uploading the clip the phones were ringing off the hook with people wanting to know about Ambam and we were inundated with requests from around the world for interviews and information.
“We have had a lot of speculation that it is a man in a gorilla suit or that he has been trained to do this, but Ambam has not been trained in any way, it is just something he chooses and is able to do.”
Mr Ridges said there has been more visitors to the gorillas at feeding time.
“Ambam doesn’t seem to know what all the fuss is about,” he said.
“While his bipedal tendencies have captured the imagination of people worldwide we are hoping that his fame will have the more serious affect of highlighting the plight of the critically endangered Western lowland gorilla.
“The charity that runs our parks, The Aspinall Foundation, is well known for its work with gorillas both at Howletts and Port Lympne and overseas where we protect over one million acres and reintroduce captive gorillas back to protected areas of the wild.”
Footage of Ambam was filmed by animal researcher Johanna Watson while she was working with the University of Manchester on a project about apes.
Mr Ridges said the behavior was not unusual for the species.
“All gorillas can do it to some extent but we haven’t got any who do it like Ambam and he is quite a celebrity at the park,” he said.
“We think he might use it to get a height advantage to look over the wall when keepers come to feed him.”
“Standing up can also help him in looking for food generally in his enclosure as it gives him a better vantage point.
“Ambam can also carry a lot more food if he stands and uses both hands, and walking on two feet also means he doesn’t get his hands wet when it is raining.”
Visitors to Port Lympne can see Ambam and the rest of his group being scatter fed daily at noon and 3pm.
RSR readers rang in with a few emails recently and since there was new Ambam news to report, we decided we would run them.
“Ambam rules and I wish I was as cool as him.” –Jess Timpano, Bronx, NY
“Ambam deserves all the coverage he is getting because any ape that can do that, can have my bananas any day. I just wish I could get his autograph for my collection.”–Andrew Santiamo, Phoenix, AZ