Gorilla Kumbuka pictured back out in front of the public today after making a break for freedom
The hefty primate looked relaxed as he sat in a hammock chomping on fresh green leaves
KUMBUKA the gorilla was back out in front of the public today after the ape's dramatic break for freedom from his London Zoo enclosure.
His home, the Gorilla Kingdom, was reopened this morning after being temporarily closed while staff repaired a window cracked by the 29 stone ape last night.
Kumbuka was on the loose for at least 90 minutes after his escape at about 5pm yesterday, before armed cops and zoo-keepers took him down with a tranquilliser dart.
As terrified visitors hid in a cafe and other enclosure last night, one zoo worker said: “He’s a total psycho, that ape."
But today the hefty primate looked relaxed today as he sat in a brown hammock by the glass, chomping on some fresh green leaves.
Dozens of school children and families on trips to the world famous zoo gazed in awe at the huge gorilla, who is the alpha male of the zoo's troop.
One visitor who witnessed the escape yesterday said Kumbuka had seemed “agitated” and keepers had told visitors not to stare at him.
Oliver Barker, 24, added: "He wasn’t relaxed at all. He looked very intimidating."
Also seen in the enclosure today were the zoo's two females and one of their new baby gorillas, who arrived earlier this year.
The little ape was seen swinging on ropes playfully.
Among the visitors were four London Zoo press officers, a zookeeper and security guard monitoring the crowd viewing the majestic creatures.
Kumbuka, born in Belfast Zoo in 1997, arrived at his new home in London in 2013.
On a display in the enclosure was a picture of Kumbuka with a brief of description underneath.
It said: "He loves playing with water and breaking things, but can be very gentle too. He even lets our keepers listen to his heart with a stethoscope."
The gorilla became a media sensation after news of his escape attempt broke last night.
He was previously kept at Paignton Zoo where he was photographed by wildlife photographer Richard Austin.
Speaking at the time, he said: "Of all the animals I've encountered here in the Westcountry, Kumbuka the silverback lowland gorilla at Paignton Zoo is one of my favourites, despite the fact that every time I photograph him he tries to take my head off with missiles made of mud, turf and even a hard lump of flint the size of a house brick.
"For some reason unbeknown to me he doesn't like cameras or photographers, or maybe just press photographers."
Earlier today staff were seen repairing and covering up the cracked glass one of the viewing windows of the enclosure which is believed to have been broken by the male silverback.
But it is not believed that he escaped through it.
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