At Chiba Zoo, a seemingly harmless moment — a visitor tossing food to a gorilla — can pose serious risks to the animal’s health and well-being. The video captures Rola quickly grabbing and eating the food. While it may appear cute, the reality is more concerning.
Zoo animals, including gorillas, have carefully controlled diets. Each meal is designed to meet their specific nutritional needs. When visitors feed them random food — often containing sugar, salt, preservatives, or other unsuitable ingredients — it can lead to digestive problems, obesity, gut issues, or other health complications.
Beyond health, such behavior can affect gorilla habits. When they get used to receiving food from visitors, they may lose natural foraging instincts, which are essential for both mental and physical well-being.
Rola’s experience serves as a reminder: even with good intentions, giving wild animals food in the wrong way is a serious mistake.
Conclusion: Feeding should always be managed by trained zoo staff who understand the animals’ needs. Visitors should observe, respect, and learn — not throw food into enclosures. Gorillas like Rola deserve proper care, not random snacks.
