'We're going to the Zoo'

By Mark Stevens

Exeter Chiefs have lent their support to the new 'Great Gorillas Project' which has been launched recently by our friends at the nearby Paignton Zoo.

Taking time out from their busy training schedule this week, Rob Baxter's squad enjoyed a fun-filled day out at the local tourist attraction, getting the chance to get up close and personal with a whole host of different animals from around the world.

Paignton Zoo already hold strong links with the Chiefs as not only do their sponsors current players Jack Arnott, Gonzalo Camacho and Junior Poluleuligaga, but also have a number of advertising boards around the Sandy Park pitch.

Not only did the Chiefs players get to meet rhinos, giraffes, monkeys and giant tortoises, but also 'Duchess' the zoo's imposing 4,000kg elephant

And some of the squad even packed down with one of zoo’s Great Gorilla sculptures. To mark the zoo’s 90th birthday, life-size model gorillas are being sponsored by businesses and community groups, painted in original designs by specially-commissioned artists and displayed in public, creating a unique art trail around Torbay and Exeter.

The full-size models, made of steel reinforced fibre-glass, are 120cms long, 140cms high and 60cms wide and weigh around 30 kilos. A real live adult male Western lowland gorilla can weigh 200 kilos – that’s 31 stone or over 400 pounds.

For 10 weeks this summer, the sculptures will inhabit the streets, parks and open spaces showcasing the wealth of artistic talent in the area, while highlighting the significant conservation threat facing wild gorillas and how the local business community can make a difference.

Similar events have run throughout the country generating huge increases in footfall, public interest and media coverage providing opportunities for sponsors to benefit from association with and coverage from the project.

The Great Gorillas will be invading the streets from Saturday, 3rd August until Sunday, 13th October 2013. They will then be at Paignton Zoo from Friday 18th to Sunday 20th October 2013 before being auctioned for charity on Wednesday 6th November 2013.

For more information go to www.paigntonzoo.org.uk or ring 0844 474 2222.