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Intro
Gerard Durrell decides it’s high time to stop his zoo from becoming a mere display case for interesting animals. Instead, he wants to get serious about using the Jersey Zoo for animal conservation. While contemplating which species to focus on, an animal dealer offers to sell him a baby gorilla. He’s initially suspicious, as he has very little faith in the dealer’s ability to identify baby apes correctly, but the opportunity is too good to pass up.
Durrell believes that because the governments in 1950s Africa show little interest in wildlife conservation, the chance to save a gorilla from poachers or hunters seems like a perfect first step in refocusing the zoo’s efforts. Durrell firmly believes that gorillas’ days are numbered as a species unless they can be bred in captivity. Given all this, he resolves to buy the baby gorilla for 1,200 pounds. This is an enormous amount of money to him, but he’s determined to raise it. His wife, Jacquie, initially objects, pointing out how little money the zoo already makes and that the bank probably won’t help, but Durrell remains hopeful. He contacts his associate and friend Hope for a list of wealthy individuals who might be interested in helping out. By noon, he raises 200 pounds. He’s astonished and delighted when he then receives a generous offer from a man called Major Domo, who unexpectedly contributes the remaining thousand pounds.
Durrell travels to London to collect the gorilla, N’Pongo. He’s a healthy, inquisitive, and friendly juvenile with light chocolate-colored fur and smooth skin. Despite Durrell’s initial concerns, N’Pongo proves to be the correct species and in excellent health. When they return to the Jersey Zoo, N’Pongo temporarily stays in the guest room of Durrell’s house, as his cage isn’t ready. His gentle, careful way of touching things and adorable antics quickly endear him to Jacquie, Durrell’s mother and the zoo staff, despite making a small mess in the guest room with his artistic use of some berries. He moves into his cage and starts to grow at an astounding rate. As N’Pongo grows larger and older, Durrell decides to find a “wife” for him to prevent loneliness and depression.
Durrell contacts the animal dealer again and buys Nandy, a juvenile female gorilla. Nandy has a thick scar on her crown from previous mistreatment and a nervous, reserved nature. She’s initially very cautious of everyone at the zoo, including N’Pongo. Eventually, she and her “husband” form a loving bond, successfully sharing a cage and spending their days together playfully. However, caring for the gorillas comes with constant concerns for their health. The apes have very delicate digestive systems, so the zoo installs an intercom system to monitor them, frequently reporting on their indigestion.
Later in the story, N’Pongo becomes seriously ill and starts to lose weight at a rapid rate. Nandy is heartbroken and depressed, and Durrell and Jacquie go to great lengths to nurse N’Pongo back to health. After a few very worrying days, N’Pongo recovers miraculously. When Durrell returns from a trip to France, he’s delighted to find N’Pongo healthy, fat, and playful again, and Nandy back in her former peaceful contentment. Indeed, it’s such a difference from the intense worry he felt when N’Pongo was ill that he jokingly wonders to himself why he bothers with animal conservation at all.
