2025 International Gorilla Workshop

What to expect:

• FREE workshops focusing on collaborative problem-solving and cardiac health (hosted by the Great Ape Heart Project!)
• Panel discussions
• Networking events
• Keynote speeches from Dr. Hayley Murphy (Detroit Zoological Society and the Great Ape Heart Project), Urbain Ngobobo (the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund), and Dr. Inaoyom Sunday Imong (Wildlife Conservation Society – Nigeria)
• An exciting lineup of presenters
• A silent auction
• Panel discussions and presentations
• A day at the Detroit Zoo
• A post-workshop Zoo trip

Agenda

1. Friday, Nov. 7- Sunday, Nov. 9 – Gorilla SSP Meetings
2. Monday, Nov. 10 – FREE Pre-Workshop Event Hosted by the Great Ape Heart Project
3. Monday, Nov. 10 – Icebreaker and Opening Celebration
4. Tuesday, Nov. 11 – Workshop Sessions
5. Wednesday, Nov. 12 – Workshop Sessions and FREE Problem-Solving Workshop
6. Thursday, Nov. 13 – Workshop Sessions, Day at the Detroit Zoo and Closing Banquet
7. Friday, Nov. 14 – Post-Workshop Trip to the Toledo Zoo

Pricing and registration

1. Registration for the full workshop will be $350. Full registration includes the icebreaker, workshop sessions, the day at the Detroit Zoo and Closing Banquet. Registration includes a number of meals provided by the Detroit Zoo, including heavy appetizers at the icebreaker, daily lunch and snacks on the workshop session days and dinner at the closing banquet.
   1. 1. Registration for professionals (zoo staff, academics, field scientists, non-profit staff, and others who work with gorillas in a professional capacity) will open on Monday, March 3.
      2. Registration for non-professionals (volunteers, docents, gorilla enthusiasts and members of the general public) will open on Monday, June 2.
      3. Ready to register? Please fill out this Google Form! We will process your information and send you a personalized code and link for the registration website where you can complete your payment and choose any fun add-ons you wish!
      4. We are looking for speakers! Please click here to submit abstracts and/or proposals for workshop sessions!
2. Register before Aug. 4! As of Aug. 4, registration for the full workshop will increase to $450.
3. If you are unable to attend the full workshop, we will also offer registration for individual events.
4. Abstract submissions will open on Monday, March 3 and close on Friday, April 25! We will inform you of abstract decisions in early July. Abstracts should be no more than 250 words in length. At this time, we are only accepting abstracts for presentations from professional registrants.
5. The Problem-Solving Workshop and the Great Ape Heart Project Workshop will both be offered free of any charge! Space is limited, and reservations are first come, first served. These workshops are only open to zoo professionals.
6. The post-workshop trip to the Toledo Zoo will be facilitated by the Detroit Zoo and will include free admission as well as a 10% discount on food and merchandise. The Toledo Zoo Trip will cost $35 per person.
7. Do you want to learn from the sessions, but you aren’t able to travel to attend the International Gorilla Workshop in person? We are offering virtual registration for $40 per person! Virtual registration will allow you to view and attend the sessions offered on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Travel, accommodations and insider tips

1. The Detroit Zoo has secured a discounted block of hotel rooms at the Hyatt Place in Royal Oak (422 N. Main Street, Royal Oak, MI 48067) for $189.00 +9.5% tax/night. This discounted rate will be available until 12:01 a.m. on October 17, 2025 or until the block is full. You will receive a PDF with instructions on how to book a room with our special IGW discount with your registration email! We are also happy to provide instructions for securing tax exemption for those registrants who qualify. We will be providing a shuttle between the Detroit Zoo and the Hyatt Place for attendees free of charge.
2. We are also negotiating a second block of rooms at a long-stay hotel for those who may be coming in early or staying later on other business. We will provide this information as soon as it is finalized. We will not be providing a shuttle between the Detroit Zoo and this second location.
3. If you would like to consider another hotel option, all of the following are located within a 10-minute drive of the Detroit Zoo:
   1. Hotel Royal Oak – approx. $164/night
   2. Baymont by Wyndham – approx. $65/night
   3. WoodSpring Suites – approx. $60/night
4. If you are planning to fly to Detroit, we recommend flying in and out of the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW). The Detroit Metro Airport is a major Delta hub offering both domestic and international flights and connections. This airport is located approximately 30 miles (34 minutes) from the Hyatt Place.
5. Interested in visiting other accredited zoos housing gorillas while you’re in the area? Detroit is within driving distance of a plethora of fantastic institutions!

1. 1. Toledo Zoo & Aquarium – 1 hr
   2. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo – 3 hr
   3. Columbus Zoo and Aquarium – 3.5 hours
   4. Lincoln Park Zoo & Brookfield Zoo – 4.5 hours
   5. Toronto  Zoo – 4.5 hours
   6. Buffalo Zoo – 4.5 hours
   7. Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium – 4.5 hours
   8. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden – 4 hours
   9. Louisville Zoo – 5.5 hours

Questions?

Email IGW@dzs.org.