We’re excited to welcome Gus and Bukavu, two juvenile male western lowland gorillas, who arrived safely at the Saint Louis Zoo this week.
Ten-year-old Gus and 8-year-old Bukavu moved from Fort Worth Zoo to St. Louis based on a transfer recommendation of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Western Lowland Gorilla Species Survival Plan (SSP). The Western Lowland Gorilla SSP is a conservation breeding program that manages a genetically healthy population of the species in North American, AZA-accredited zoos. Gus and Bukavu’s move mimics natural behaviors in the wild, where juvenile male gorillas typically leave their family group in search of a new bachelor troop at this age.
Gus and Bukavu are settling in behind the scenes and will join the Zoo’s bachelor gorilla troop at Jungle of the Apes later this summer, including 10-year-old Zachary and 10-year-old Kayin.
The Zoo’s bachelor troop prepares adult males, also known as silverbacks, for the possibility of leading a family in the future. Gorilla bachelor troops are commonly found in the wild, including silverbacks and young adult males who live and travel together until they join a breeding group.
Although western lowland gorillas are the most common of the four gorilla subspecies, they are critically endangered and facing the threat of extinction in the wild. The Saint Louis Zoo supports western lowland gorillas through the AZA SSP and the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Institute Center for the Conservation of Congo Apes.
Stay tuned for updates as Gus and Bukavu make their public debuts later this summer.
