Cardiff student to live like an ape for charity

A Cardiff student will become a human zoo exhibit for a day in a bid to raise money for charity, by living as a gorilla.

Lewis Rowden, 21, is a third year zoologist at Cardiff University, but is currently doing a research placement in animal nutrition at Paignton Zoo, Devon.

He will be moving onto the gorilla's island at the zoo for 24 hours in May, though not while the real gorillas are resident.

Rowden may be studying animal nutrition, but he is not looking forward to following a strict gorilla diet, which consists of mainly fruit and vegetables.  He said: "I'm very much a carnivore.  There is not much in the gorilla's diet I eat, so this will certainly be a challenge for me."

Rowden will also be participating in the zoo's enrichment programme, which will involve him having to get his food out of a pinatta, a programme designed to keep the gorilla's entertained.

He also hopes to do some more useful tasks on the island, such as building a climbing frame and doing some weeding.

He said: "I'm not quite sure how I'll fill my time but it should be interesting for visitors to watch."

Rowden, who is originally from Yeovil in Somerset will be raising money for the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria ape campaign, which is aiming to raise one million euros.  Rowden said: "I've never done anything like this before.  It's a bit unique so I don't know how much I'll raise.  I would be very happy to raise £1,000."

Rowden will be living like a gorilla on May 13 and May 14.

You can donate by going to www.justgiving.com/Lewis-Rowden/.