A silverback gorilla in Paignton Zoo has lost his position of Alpha male having been ousted by three teenagers who went on a rampage last year after escaping the ape enclosure.
Pertinax, who is 36, has been forced into ‘retirement’ to prevent a bloody confrontation with the three younger apes.
Last year, N’Dowe, 15, Kiondo, 16, and Kivu, 15, managed to escape from their enclosure causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.
Pertinax, the 36-year-old silverback gorilla has been forced into retirement at Paignton Zoo
Pertinax’s role is being taken over by three teenage gorillas, including N’Dowe, pictured
Kiondo, pictured, was also involved in the plot to topple Pertinax, who was the alpha male in the Devon zoo for the past 20 years
The three teenage apes ripped out electric cables and water pipes during their rampage.
Nic Dunn of Paignton Zoo said Pertinax dominated the enclosure for 20 years but is no longer the leader.
Mr Dunn told The Express: ‘We have to manage Pertinax separately from Kiondo, Kivu and N’Dowe as the old boy has effectively gone into retirement.
‘The dominance in the trio is fairly fluid as they’re still young silverbacks. They are yet to fully mature. Pertinax has been managed away from the others for a while. He is 36 now, and we would consider 40 or 50 to be a typical age for a male gorilla in a zoo.
‘He has a few health issues. He’s got bad feet, colitis and he’s not as active as he used to be, but he has a good life, and we’re always striving to make it better. For now, Pertinax’s health issues don’t cause him too much trouble but we keep a close eye on the old boy.’
Keepers at the zoo said Pertinax has become more relaxed since he was separated from the rest of the apes.