More gorillas added to Wichita zoo for new exhibit

? Two more gorillas have arrived at the Sedgwick County Zoo, in preparation for next month’s anticipated opening of the zoo’s newest exhibit.

But it will be a while before they meet the other animals at the $5.5. million Downing Gorilla Forest. First, they have to get used to smelling — and then seeing — each other from a distance.

“We just can’t put them all together at once,” assistant zoo director Jim Marlett said. “Hormones rage, you know?”

The newest male gorillas — 5-year-old Jabir and 10-year-old Matt, who are brothers — arrived Wednesday from Oklahoma City.

The two other gorillas –brothers Shango, 15, and Barney, 10 — arrived several weeks ago from the San Francisco Zoo.

Two more gorillas are expected next week from the Kansas City (Mo.) Zoo.

The 6-acre exhibit, largely funded by a $4 million gift from Wichita residents Barry and Paula Downing, includes a 50-foot suspension bridge, a 12-foot waterfall and a river island.