Zoo News

September 14, 2026

Sadness and Joy in The Ford African Rain Forest

Beginnings and endings define the cycle of life for all living things on Earth, and this month, Zoo Atlanta experiences...

Zoo News

November 16, 2024

WESTERN LOWLAND GORILLA BORN AT ZOO ATLANTA

Animal Care and Veterinary Teams are closely monitoring new mother Kambera and her infant, who has not yet been observed...

February 11, 2022

Choomba

Choomba was a member of the founding group of gorillas who made up the origin of Zoo Atlanta’s gorilla program....

January 28, 2022

Ozoum (Ozzie)

Ozzie, whose given name was Ozoum, was the last surviving member of the founding group of gorillas who made up...

Zoo News

January 25, 2022

Ozzie, world’s oldest male gorilla, has died

The Zoo Atlanta family is heartbroken to announce the passing of Ozzie, the world’s oldest male gorilla, at 61. The...

Keeper Stories: Gorillas

December 7, 2021

Willie B., Jr. and the formation of his troop

Hey there, it’s Cassie from the Gorilla Care Team with an update on Willie B., Jr.’s group! Can you believe...

Zoo News

September 10, 2021

Update on Zoo Atlanta gorilla population

Zoo Atlanta has received presumptive positive test results indicating that members of its western lowland gorilla troops are positive for...

August 26, 2021

Gorilla Training Session

Watch a training session in action at the Willie B. Gorilla Conservation Center. Learn what training entails, why we do...

Zoo News

July 26, 2021

Gorilla Cam debuts with birthday celebration

The youngest western lowland gorilla at Zoo Atlanta, Floyd, turned 2 on Saturday, July 24, 2021. His father, troop leader...

Zoo News

July 22, 2021

Zoo Atlanta Announces Launch of Gorilla Cam

Zoo Atlanta introduces wildlife watchers around the world to a unique opportunity to observe the natural behaviors and daily movements...

Keeper Stories

July 21, 2021

Gorillas and humans: What do we have in common?

Hi Zoo Atlanta fans! It’s Ella here from the Primate Team, and I’d like to tell you guys a little...

Zoo News

June 20, 2021

Happy 60th birthday, Ozzie!

Father’s Day brings a major milestone for one of the most treasured members of the Zoo Atlanta population. At 60,...

Keeper Stories

May 25, 2021

Browse away!

Hi everyone, it’s Sara Fee in Gorillas again! I started at Zoo Atlanta about two years ago, which is also...

Keeper Stories

April 7, 2021

Update on Machi the gorilla!

Zoo Atlanta recently welcomed back one of our gorilla legends, Machi. We have received such great support from the community...

Zoo News

April 2, 2021

Welcome Machi the gorilla back to Atlanta!

Zoo Atlanta welcomes Machi, a 45-year-old female western lowland gorilla, back to her hometown. Machi arrived in Atlanta on March...

Keeper Stories

March 9, 2021

Caring for gorillas in their golden years

At Zoo Atlanta, we have gorillas of all ages, from 1-year-old Floyd to Ozzie, who’s turning 60 this year. As...

Keeper Stories

January 19, 2021

Getting to know Kambera, Shalia and Amari

Hello there! My name is Cassie, and I am the newest member of the Gorilla Care Team here at Zoo...

Zoo News

December 10, 2020

Welcome Amari, Kambera and Shalia!

While he doesn’t know it yet, the only son of Zoo Atlanta’s most famous gorilla is about to embark on...

Keeper Stories

November 24, 2020

A holiday for an animal care professional

Hello everyone, Courtney here from the Gorilla Care Team wishing you and all your loved ones a safe and happy...

October 5, 2020

Ivan – Wild Within

Students will have the opportunity to see photos and video and hear recorded stories about Ivan’s upbringing and time at Zoo Atlanta. ...

Zoo News

September 16, 2020

Great Ape Heart Project wins Research Award

The Great Ape Heart Project based at Zoo Atlanta has received the prestigious 2020 Research Award with Top Honors from...

Keeper Stories

September 1, 2020

Distance training in the time of COVID

Hi everyone, it’s Sarafee with another edition of Zoo Atlanta’s Keeper Stories! I’m a Senior Keeper on the Gorilla Care...

Zoo News

August 20, 2020

ZOO ATLANTA LAUNCHES VIRTUAL ART GONE WILD

Zoo Atlanta has partnered with Sips n Strokes to offer an interactive experience that people of all ages and all...

Keeper Stories

August 11, 2020

Guess who’s who?

Hello everyone, my name is Sam and I am the newest member of the Primate Team here at Zoo Atlanta....

Zoo News

July 24, 2020

GORILLA AT THE ZOO ENJOYS FIRST BIRTHDAY

Floyd the western lowland gorilla turned 1 on July 24, 2020. The Gorilla Care Team at Zoo Atlanta celebrated early...

Keeper Stories

July 7, 2020

What big teeth you have!

Hello everyone, it’s Gorilla Care Team member Allie again, and I hope you are all staying safe and healthy. Today,...

Keeper Stories

June 23, 2020

Foraging enrichment

Hello! It’s Courtney from the Primate Team! I would first like to say how nice it is to see guests...

Zoo News

June 22, 2020

A new chapter for three bachelor gorillas

Three bachelor western lowland gorillas from Zoo Atlanta will soon leave Atlanta for a new home at a new zoo....

Keeper Stories

April 28, 2020

Behind the scenes with the gorillas

COVID-19 has forced all of us to make many lifestyle changes. It has even affected the way we at the...

Keeper Stories

February 4, 2020

The science of feeding

Hi everyone. Kaya here from the Primate Team. One of my favorite things to do when I’m at work is...

Keeper Stories

January 14, 2020

What it means to be an accredited zoo

Hello everyone! It’s Allie here, and I’m a member of the Primate Team here at Zoo Atlanta. I’d like to...

Keeper Stories

December 17, 2019

A dynamic, passionate and hardworking team

Hey everyone, my name is Sara Fee and I’m a Senior Keeper working with the gorillas in the Primate Department....

Zoo News

November 14, 2019

Great Ape Heart Project awarded fourth IMLS grant

Grant is largest show of federal support to date for the effort to target cardiac health in gorillas, orangutans, chimpanzees...

Keeper Stories

November 5, 2019

The wild world of enrichment

Hello everyone, it’s Courtney from the Primate Team! I cannot believe it is already November. So much has happened this...

Keeper Stories

October 22, 2019

Taking time to observe gorillas

Hello, it’s Allie, a member of the Primate Care Team. Have you ever noticed the way our 3-year-old gorilla, Mijadala,...

Zoo News

September 24, 2019

Introducing Floyd!

World Gorilla Day was also naming day for the youngest member of the western lowland gorilla population at Zoo Atlanta....

Keeper Stories

September 24, 2019

Ozzie and the “Golden Girls”

If you are regular guests of Zoo Atlanta, you are probably familiar with our geriatric gorillas, Ozzie and Choomba, who...

Zoo News

September 19, 2019

World Gorilla Day

September 24 will also be the naming day for the youngest member of the Zoo’s gorilla population. Zoo Atlanta joins...

Zoo News

September 11, 2019

Help name the infant gorilla

Submit names online and support gorilla conservation ahead of naming day on World Gorilla Day. World Gorilla Day will bring...

Keeper Stories

August 20, 2019

Exploring bachelor gorillas’ social behaviors

Many of you have had the opportunity to observe our gorilla bachelor group of Mbeli, Kal and Gunther grow up...

Keeper Stories

August 6, 2019

The adaptations that make gorillas special

Hello Zoo people! My name is Allie, and I am a member of the Gorilla Care Team here at Zoo...

Zoo News

July 25, 2019

WESTERN LOWLAND GORILLA BORN AT ZOO ATLANTA

Lulu, a 19-year-old western lowland gorilla, gave birth to an infant on July 24, 2019. The newborn is Lulu’s second...

Keeper Stories

June 25, 2019

Jasiri’s new chapter

This year has been an eventful one for the gorillas and their care team. In fact, for the past several...

Zoo News

June 24, 2019

Jasiri the gorilla begins a new chapter

Jasiri, a 21-year-old male western lowland gorilla born at Zoo Atlanta, is ready to begin an exciting new chapter in...

Zoo News

April 18, 2019

Gorilla Egg Hunts and More

Animal enrichment is egg-sighting on Saturday, April 20. Enrichment is a year-round aspect of animal care at Zoo Atlanta, but...

Keeper Stories

April 16, 2019

Seeing a gorilla ultrasound

Hello everyone! My name is Martie, and I am a seasonal keeper on the Primate Care Team. During my time...

Zoo News

March 14, 2019

Lulu the western lowland gorilla is expecting

Summer delivery will mark the 24th gorilla birth in the Zoo’s Ford African Rain Forest. Lulu, a 19-year-old western lowland...

Animal Science

February 26, 2019

2018 was a banner year for research

Zoo Atlanta had yet another banner year in producing major research publications in 2018! Zoo Atlanta and colleagues have now...

Keeper Stories

February 19, 2019

My road to a career with animals

Happy Tuesday! My name is Kaya, Primate Keeper II here at Zoo Atlanta. I can primarily be found working with...

Learn

February 14, 2019

Animal Highlight: Gorillas

Zoo Atlanta proudly cares for one of the largest populations of western lowland gorillas in the United States. The gorillas...

Keeper Stories

January 17, 2019

Working together to save gorillas

Well hello there! My name is Allie, and I am currently a Primate Seasonal Keeper here at Zoo Atlanta. Today,...

December 14, 2018

Shamba

A mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she leaves an extraordinary legacy for her critically endangered species, with more than 30 descendants...

Conservation

November 21, 2018

Have you heard about coltan?

Are you asking Santa for a new cell phone this year? It is time for an upgrade after all. You...

Keeper Stories

November 20, 2018

Gorillas get their flu shots, too

Hello everyone, my name is Courtney Meyer, and I am a member of the gorilla care team here at Zoo...

Keeper Stories

October 17, 2018

Help save gorillas by recycling cell phones

Hello! I’m Allie, a Seasonal Primate Keeper. I have the pleasure of telling you guys about our beloved western lowland...

Zoo News

September 21, 2018

Zoo Atlanta joins global celebration of gorillas

Second-annual World Gorilla Day unites people around the world in highlighting conservation action. Zoo Atlanta observes World Gorilla Day on...

Keeper Stories

May 29, 2018

Growing up with Mijadala

Can’t get enough of baby gorilla Mijadala? Neither can we! As she is nearing her second birthday (September 18), we...

Zoo News

May 13, 2018

The Ford African Rain Forest turns 30

The 1988 opening of The Ford African Rain Forest was a landmark event for Zoo Atlanta and for the city...

Zoo News

May 8, 2018

Gorillas on the move

Mbeli, Kali and Gunther will soon start a new chapter at a new zoo Three bachelor western lowland gorillas from...

Zoo News

April 24, 2018

Celebrating The Ford African Rain Forest

One of the Southeast’s most anticipated black-tie galas celebrates one of North America’s largest populations of western lowland gorillas at...

Keeper Stories

April 10, 2018

Warming up for spring

Although it has not felt it so far, we have hit springtime here in Atlanta. With spring supposedly comes warmer...

Zoo News

March 30, 2018

Spring Break must-dos at the Zoo

Week kicks off with Gorilla Egg Hunts and More on March 31. Spring Break Week kicks off with a favorite...

Animal Science

March 28, 2018

Studying gorillas in the Zoo and the wild

Unknown to most of our visitors, Zoo Atlanta has an active primate behavior and cognition research program, with scientists studying...

Keeper Stories

March 20, 2018

Milestones with Mijadala

Hey everyone, my name is Sarah and I’m a member of the gorilla care team. If you’ve visited us recently,...

Animal Science

March 7, 2018

Pioneering research in gorilla behavior

We have a guest blogger for this posting! Our intrepid Primate Cognition Intern, Liam Kelly, has prepared a summary focusing...

Keeper Stories

March 6, 2018

The specialized care of bachelor gorillas

You may or may not know that Zoo Atlanta is home to one of the largest western lowland gorilla populations...

Keeper Stories

February 13, 2018

Tool use in gorillas

Hello, everyone! I’m Courtney, a gorilla caregiver, here to tell you about some of the tool-use skills our gorillas have...

Animal Science

January 25, 2018

A year in review

Wrapping up the research year around Zoo Atlanta, I’d like to thank the readers out there who have been reading...

Keeper Stories

January 9, 2018

The many faces of our primate area

Hello! Brittney, Seasonal Keeper from Primates here. Last time you heard from me I was talking about the difference between...

Keeper Stories

November 21, 2017

Giving thanks for our amazing Zoo team

Hey there, everyone! I’m Shay, one of the gorilla care staff here at Zoo Atlanta back for another Keeper Story....

Zoo News

October 27, 2017

Remembering Shamba

The Zoo Atlanta family is saddened to announce the passing of Shamba, a 58-year-old female western lowland gorilla. Shamba, the...

Keeper Stories

September 26, 2017

Caring for primates in inclement weather

While we prep for inclement weather at our homes, we also do so at the Zoo. As animal care professionals,...

Zoo News

September 20, 2017

Celebrate the first-ever World Gorilla Day

Zoo Atlanta joins the global conservation community in celebrating the first-ever World Gorilla Day on Sunday, September 24, 2017. World...

Keeper Stories

September 12, 2017

Mija is turning 1!

Hello again everyone! I wanted to let you all know that we have a special birthday coming up in the...

Keeper Stories

August 22, 2017

The Gorilla Species Survival Plan

Hey there, everyone! My name is Shay and I’m one of the new keepers in our Primate Department, specifically in...

Keeper Stories

July 18, 2017

Gorilla Enrichment

Here are the Zoo, everything we keepers do is for the animals. We try to make decisions based on their...

Keeper Stories

June 20, 2017

Gorilla Dads

Hey everyone! My name is Sarah, and I am a gorilla keeper here at Zoo Atlanta. When you think of...

Keeper Stories

June 6, 2017

Beating the heat with the primates

It’s summertime, y’all! Or as I like to call it, only slightly hotter than the rest of the year, because...

Keeper Stories

May 16, 2017

Keeper Stories – Tuesday, May 16

Now that we are well on our way to summer, guess what time it is? That’s right, it’s browse time!...

Animal Science

April 26, 2017

Primate Communication

The human voice clearly is a remarkable phenomenon. The anatomy of our throat and the cognitive abilities of our brain...

Keeper Stories

April 18, 2017

Keeper Stories – Tuesday, April 18

Hey everyone! My name is Bailey Cheney, and I’m one of the newest people on the primate staff right now....

April 6, 2017

Willie B.

A legend in his own time, remembered fondly by generations of Atlantans, and an icon of the transformation of Zoo...

April 6, 2017

Ivan

Every life at the Zoo is a story worth sharing, but his story was once told so widely and passionately...

Keeper Stories

February 28, 2017

Keeper Stories – Tuesday, February 28

I think one of my very favorite things about working with animals is the ability to work with individuals throughout...

Zoo News

February 7, 2017

Meet Mijadala

Proceeds raised from her naming will benefit field conservation programs for wild gorillas The infant born to western lowland gorilla...

Zoo News

January 31, 2017

Vote to name Zoo Atlanta’s baby gorilla

Vote to name Zoo Atlanta’s baby gorilla, and case a vote for a change for her species Naming will benefit...

January 20, 2017

Veterinary Research

The expertise of the Zoo Atlanta Veterinary Team benefits colleagues around the world.

January 13, 2017

Taz

Taz is the dominant male in his troop and is known for being tolerant and kind with his family.

January 13, 2017

Kudzoo

Kudzoo was the firstborn offspring of Willie B. Like her mother Choomba, she has a dominant personality and a bit...

January 13, 2017

Willie B., Jr. (Kidogo)

Willie B., Jr. is the only male offspring of his famous late father, and he’s an exact likeness of Willie...

January 9, 2017

Endangered Species Day

Join us to celebrate species diversity and learn how you can make choices at home that help wildlife around the world! ...

Keeper Stories

January 3, 2017

Keeper Stories – Tuesday, January 3

Move over Brad Pitt and Jennifer Lawrence, there are some new celebs on the block! Okay, so our great apes...

December 29, 2016

Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund

Zoo Atlanta provides pro-bono space, resources and other support for the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, our longtime partner in...

December 29, 2016

Primate Research

Zoo Atlanta has a diverse population of primates, with multiple species from every major primate group (i.e. lemurs, monkeys and...

Keeper Stories

December 27, 2016

Keeper Stories – Tuesday, December 27

Hello, everyone! The holidays came and went so quickly, didn’t they? We here at Zoo Atlanta love to take in...

Keeper Stories

December 15, 2016

Keeper Stories – Thursday, December 15

Ho Ho Ho! Happy Holidays, readers! It’s been a great year here at Zoo Atlanta, especially in the Primate Department....

December 8, 2016

Watch a Gorilla Feeding (Habitat 3)

Watch the gorillas get their afternoon fruit – a perfect chance to see the troop on the move.

December 8, 2016

Primate Research Talk (Gorilla)

Find out about the cutting-edge work Zoo Atlanta staff is doing to learn more about gorilla behavior!

Keeper Stories

August 2, 2016

Tuesday, August 2

Guess what, everyone … it’s my birthday today! I’m looking forward to celebrating the day with lots of tasty food...

Keeper Stories

June 14, 2016

Tuesday, June 14

Well, it’s summertime again, and we all know what that means in the South: It’s getting warm! We all try...

Keeper Stories

January 12, 2016

Tuesday, January 12

Well, so many great subjects have been talked about lately, where does one begin? Well, to go along with...

Western Lowland Gorilla Posts

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