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Western lowland gorilla News Archive

Sep. 22, 2023
There’s no better way to celebrate World Gorilla Day than with our adorable animal ambassador, Zahra! Keeper Lynne McMahan shares some of her favorite moments in this Q+A.  
A 3-month-old baby gorilla looks into the camera while being held in her mother's arms.
Sep. 01, 2023
Our western lowland gorilla infant hasn't quite figured out how to crawl—but she's getting close! Read the latest #GorillaStory update from primate keeper Francesca Bozzo.
Aug. 11, 2023
Our 2-month-old western lowland gorilla infant, Zahra, is very curious about the world around her. Get the latest #GorillaStory update from primate keeper Carolina Powell.
Baby gorilla Zahra looks into the camera while being held by her mother, Calaya.
Jul. 14, 2023
6-week-old baby gorilla Zahra is becoming more curious about the world beyond her mother's protective arms, writes primate keeper Lynne McMahan.
Jun. 23, 2023
A new #GorillaStory has begun! Get the latest update on our 4-week-old western lowland gorilla, Zahra, from primate keeper Valerie Schultz. 
After five days of public voting and just under 24,000 votes, the baby western lowland gorilla at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is named Zahra [ZAH-rah], which means “beautiful flower” in Swahili.
Jun. 09, 2023
After five days of public voting and just under 25,000 votes, the baby western lowland gorilla is named Zahra [ZAH-rah], which means “beautiful flower” in Swahili.
Western lowland gorilla infant cradled in her mother's arms. She is looking up at the viewer with her mouth open, appearing to be smiling.
Jun. 05, 2023
Starting today, June 5, western lowland gorilla fans will have an opportunity to vote on a name for a baby gorilla born May 27 at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.
Newborn gorilla cradled by mother Calaya, a 20-year-old female western lowland gorilla. She gave birth to her second offspring May 27 at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.
May. 28, 2023
For the first time in five years, primate staff are celebrating the birth of a western lowland gorilla—a critically endangered species. It was born between midnight and 6:15 a.m. May 27 to mother...
Western lowland gorilla Moke rides on his mother Calaya's back.
Sep. 23, 2022
Every year on Sept. 24, we celebrate World Gorilla Day by teaching visitors about our ambassador apes and sharing ways to help their wild counterparts.  
Gorillas Moke and Mandara sit atop a boulder in their outdoor habitat.
Apr. 28, 2022
April, or Ape-ril, is a great time to recognize our apes because many of them celebrate their birthdays this month! 
Dec. 20, 2021
We rounded up the animal antics and species conservation stories that made us laugh, smile and cheer in 2021. Take a look back at some of our favorite moments caught on video.
Sep. 24, 2021
Playing, foraging, training and snoozing—it’s all in a day in the life of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s western lowland gorilla troop! 
Jun. 14, 2021
How do you create a menu that is pleasing to the palates of giant pandas, flamingos and fishing cats? With more than 2,100 mouths to feed among 400 species, the Department of Nutrition Science whips...
Apr. 29, 2021
How do animal keepers take a blood sample from an elephant or examine a big cat's teeth? Find out how training helps keepers care for animals that they can't share a physical space with in this...
Western lowland gorilla Moke sits on the hillside of his outdoor habitat.
Apr. 15, 2021
Today, our boisterous, intelligent and loving western lowland gorilla Moke turns 3 years old! Primate keeper Emily Bricker shares her favorite memories to celebrate Moke's big day. 
Mar. 05, 2021
Western lowland gorilla Baraka is serious about food. When primate keepers at the Smithsonian's National Zoo noticed he wasn't eating his meals, they wondered if his change in appetite masked...
Sep. 24, 2020
Sept. 24 is World Gorilla Day, and we are celebrating with an update on our 2-year-old, Moke, and his troop! 
Aug. 21, 2020
A new genomic study ranks the potential of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to bind to the ACE2 receptor site in 410 vertebrate animals. Old World primates and great apes, which have identical amino...
Jul. 02, 2020
A family meal among prairie dogs, the soothing sounds of a cheetah’s purr and a Pride cake fit for a giant panda. As summer kicks off at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology...
May. 01, 2020
Chirping cheetah cubs, a birthday party fit for a gorilla and a Madagascar hedgehog tenrec indulging in some self-care with a dust bath—all of these events (and more) made for an eventful month. 
Infant western lowland gorilla Moke rests in the arms of his mother, Calaya, as they sit on top of a wooden structure in their outdoor yard at the Smithsonian's National Zoo
May. 01, 2020
For the past two years, the primate team has had the privilege of sharing the story of our western lowland gorilla infant, Moke, with Smithsonian’s National Zoo fans all over the world. With Mother’s...
Apr. 15, 2020
As the primate team celebrates Moke's second birthday, keeper Alex Reddy reflects on the western lowland gorilla's growing independence, bold personality and training triumphs. 
Western lowland gorilla infant Moke in his outdoor habitat.
Jan. 31, 2020
Moke may just be a few months shy of turning 2-years-old, but our young western lowland gorilla has quite an independent personality! Last autumn, he mastered voluntary injection training. 
Nov. 01, 2019
How do you get an orangutan to sit still for an electrocardiogram? All it takes is a little patience and a lot of ingenuity! The Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s positive reinforcement training program...
1.5-year-old western lowland gorilla Moke sits in the Great Ape House yard atop a rock.
Sep. 20, 2019
Catch the latest news about our 1.5-year-old western lowland gorilla, Moke, from primate keeper Carolina Powell.