Scriptwriters for “L.A. Law” take note: a lawyer has been hired to represent the interests of Timmy, a 500-pound, 33-year-old lowland gorilla at the Cleveland Zoo. Officials plan to ship Timmy to the Bronx Zoo to mate with four female gorillas as part of an interzoo program to preserve endangered species. But Timmy already has a significant other, an infertile female named Kribi Kate, and animal-rights advocates say that separating the pair could be emotionally devastating. They hired Cleveland lawyer Gloria Homolak to block the move, and 1,200 people have signed petitions to keep Timmy in Cleveland.
In truth, no one has asked Timmy whether he wants to try his luck as a swinging single. But observers say that Timmy was depressed and rejected other females before “Kate” arrived last year. Now they act like lovers, coupling frequently and sleeping in each other’s arms. Zoo officials dispute that animals have such feelings. “They have gorilla emotions,” says zoo spokeswoman Sue Allen. “We have to be cautious in attributing human feelings to them.” She argues that shipping one of the New York females to Cleveland would not bring optimum breeding conditions, and that artificial insemination is rarely successful in gorillas. Homolak says she will seek an injunction unless she is assured that all other options have been explored. To add insult to injury, if Timmy ships out, officials will introduce Kate to Oscar, an ape from Topeka.
