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 both within its historic population of gorillas in The Ford African Rain Forest: the passing of the oldest gorilla at the Zoo, Machi, and the joy and anticipation of a new pregnancy for Lulu. Both stories weave extensive family ties to some of Zoo Atlanta’s most legendary individuals.

“It is part of the life of any zoological organization to both mourn the passing of senior individuals and to look forward to the arrival of new infants. Both are especially resonant in the case of a critically endangered species,” said Gina Ferrie, PhD, Vice President of Collections and Conservation. “Machi was a beloved and extraordinary individual and an irreplaceable part of our story. At the same time, Lulu will bring a new life to the gorilla population – an event that is always worth celebrating.”

Remembering Machi

Machi, who was 50, achieved an advanced age for gorillas, which are considered geriatric after the age of about 40 years of age. Like many geriatric gorillas, she had been living with chronic osteoarthritis that had become increasingly severe. In addition to her arthritis, a recent physical examination identified other serious health concerns that carried a poor prognosis and significantly diminished the likelihood of meaningful recovery. Despite the tireless efforts of the Primate and Veterinary Teams to manage her conditions and maintain her comfort, it became clear that Machi was unlikely to regain the quality of life and freedom from pain her care teams believed she deserved. With her overall health and welfare as the highest priority, the heartbreaking decision was made to humanely euthanize her on September 13, 2026.

Born in 1976 at the Emory National Primate Research Center, Machi came to Zoo Atlanta at the age of 12 with her mother, Choomba, as a member of the original group of gorillas who arrived with the opening of The Ford African Rain Forest in 1988. In her early years at the Zoo, she was a member of the troop led by the late Ozzie, becoming the mother of two of his offspring. She joined Willie B.’s group in the 1990s and is the mother of Willie B. Jr., the only son of the famous late silverback. In 2013, Machi’s life journey took her to another Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited organization. She returned to Atlanta in 2021 and spent her final golden years benefiting from Zoo Atlanta’s international reputation as a leader in the care of geriatric gorillas. At the time of her passing, Machi was one of only two living members of the Zoo’s original group of gorillas (the other is 41-year-old Kuchi).

A necropsy will be performed through the Zoo’s partnership with the University of Georgia Zoo and Exotic Animal Pathology Service in the College of Veterinary Medicine. Preliminary results should be available in several weeks.

Celebrating a pregnancy for Lulu

Just as the Zoo Atlanta family is saddened by the loss of such a cherished individual, the Zoo is delighted to announce that a precious new life will join the gorillas of The Ford African Rain Forest in coming months. Lulu, a 27-year-old member of Taz’s troop, has been confirmed to be expecting an infant. Her pregnancy was confirmed via ultrasound in June 2026. The infant, Lulu’s third, is expected to arrive during the holiday season as the 27th gorilla born at Zoo Atlanta.

Lulu, too, has extensive family ties to history within the gorilla population at Zoo Atlanta. Born in 1999, she is the youngest offspring of Willie B. and through her mother, Kuchi, is a granddaughter of Ozzie.

An evolving legacy of excellence and innovation in the care and study of gorillas

Home to one of North America’s largest populations of gorillas, Zoo Atlanta is renowned for its gorilla program, and Gorilla Care Team members are regularly shadowed by or invited to advise on care techniques by peers at organizations around the world. Research by Zoo Atlanta team members has influenced the care of gorillas in zoos, as well as has enhanced the world’s understanding of gorillas, with more than 100 published papers on maternal care, reproduction, social behavior, and cognition.

Conservation

Western lowland gorillas are classified as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Wild populations have plummeted in recent years due to habitat loss, poaching, illegal hunting for the bushmeat trade, and emerging diseases. Over a 25-year period, their numbers in the wild have been reduced by 60 percent, with declines of as much as 90 percent in some parts of their range in western Africa.

Zoo Atlanta supports AZA Gorilla SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction), which focuses expertise within accredited zoos. For more than 30 years, the Zoo has supported The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, a Signature Conservation Partner of Zoo Atlanta, by providing pro-bono headquarters space and financial resources. Zoo Atlanta has also supported the Goualougo Triangle Ape Project, which works to mitigate threats to western lowland gorillas and other apes in the Congo Basin, through its Mabel Dorn Reeder Conservation Endowment Fund.

Learn more about gorillas and their conservation or plan a visit at zooatlanta.org.

Machi photo courtesy of Tennessee Trails photography