The Chalkwell Park Gorilla

Before we moved, so before I started school, we used to go for walks in Chalkwell Park.  There was recently an incident there, where a child was killed by a tree branch falling.  That is very sad, as the park had many lovely big trees.  I hope they can be managed better and are not simply cut down.

I also remember that the park had a little zoo, only maybe 10 cages - all way too small for the animals in them, but I didn't know that at the time.  I used to love walking by the fence, that separated people from the cages - just far enough so that we couldn't reach in, and they couldn't reach out.

One of the animals I remember most clearly is the gorilla.  The picture is AI generated, but fits pretty well with my memory.  The floor of the cage was covered in discarded orange peel, banana peel, and partially eaten vegetables.  Looking back, I realise what an awful life the poor creature had, but then I was just eager to see him, and the other animals.  I think there was a big cat, a lion or tiger possibly, pacing around and around as captive animals do.  I don't remember the other creatures.

This article https://www.essexlive.news/news/essex-news/lovely-essex-park-once-home-9448938 suggests there was a Himalayan black bear called Lulu, I don't remember that.