The zoo will close early on Friday, August 9, 2024, to accommodate setup for Wild After Hours: Corks for Conservation (18+). The last entry into the grounds will be at 3:00 p.m. and the grounds will begin to be cleared at 4:00 p.m. Thank you for understanding.
Indoor Gorilla Habitat: From July 2 until approximately the end of the month, the western lowland gorilla troop will not be viewable in their indoor African Rainforest habitat while work is done on the viewing windows. The troop will be viewable in their outdoor habitat throughout the project (weather and animal participation permitting). The rest of the African Rainforest building will remain open and accessible throughout the project. Thank you for your understanding.
African Savannah Yard: Hartmann’s mountain zebras and ostriches will be off-view until the end of the year while we complete exciting upgrades in the African Savannah Yard, including the construction of a new Savannah Barn for the animals. Our giraffe tower will continue to be viewable throughout the project. Thank you for your understanding.
Announcements
25 MAY 2023 (Calgary, AB) – The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo announced they are absolutely thrilled to share that ‘Yewande’ (pronounced You-WAN-day), the zoo’s beloved 15-year-old western lowland gorilla, gave birth to an infant yesterday afternoon. It is still early days, but the zoo’s Animal Care, Health & Welfare (ACHW) team is cautiously optimistic as mom, baby and the rest of the troop are doing well so far with great early mothering skills being shown by Yewande. ‘Jasiri’ (pronounced Jah-SEAR-ee) the zoo’s 24-year-old silverback male, is the infant’s father. The sex of the gorilla infant has not yet been confirmed.
“It warms our hearts to see Yewande settling into a motherhood role,” said Kim Walker, Animal Care Manager (South America/Rainforest) at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo. “Yewande and the baby are doing well and we’ve closed the building to give the troop some privacy as they get acquainted with their newest family member. The Animal Care, Health & Welfare team will be closely monitoring and supporting them – from a distance – every moment along the way. We couldn’t be more thrilled about the successful birth of this infant!”
Gorillas are a social species and develop close-knit family bonds. Yewande, Jasiri and the infant are together with the rest of the troop in the main habitat. The Animal Care, Health & Welfare team is seeing positive behaviour from the troop as a whole and they will continue to closely monitor the troop’s progression. The African Rainforest building is closed to allow the troop some privacy as they bond with their newest member. The building will remain closed to the public until the troop is ready for human visitors.
This newborn is the 11th of this critically endangered species to be born at Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo. In addition to the newest arrival, the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo currently loves and cares for six gorillas:
Wild gorilla populations have decreased by 80% over the past 30 years due to poaching and habitat destruction, mostly for the mineral coltan which is used in cell phone production. The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is part of the Western Lowland Gorilla Species Survival Plan (SSP) and this birth represents important genetic diversity within the SSP and overall conservation efforts to save this incredible species. As a critically endangered species, a healthy population in human care acts as an assurance population for gorilla survival into the future.
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For more information contact:
Alison Archambault
Director, Brand & Engagement
(403) 232-7766 | (403) 919-9482 | MediaRelations@CalgaryZoo.com
