Gorilla
(Gorilla gorilla gorilla)
Native to Africa, western lowland gorillas are large and muscular. They have black skin and coarse hair ranging from brown to gray. The Detroit Zoo is home to five gorillas, four of whom moved to the Zoo in August 2023. Mshindi, a silverback male, was born Oct. 17, 1987. Tulivu was born May 2, 2004. Bandia was born Sept. 13, 1997. Nayembi was born Nov. 16, 2012. The newest arrival, Motema, was born on Aug. 8, 2024, to mother Bandia and father Mshindi. Motema, whose name means “heart” in the Lingala language, is the first baby gorilla to be born at the Zoo in its history.
Quick Facts
Quick Facts
Habitat:Great Apes of Harambee
Class:Mammals
Conservation Status:Critically endangered
Size:4 to 6 feet tall
Weight:Males 400 to 600 pounds; females 150 to 200 pounds
Median life expectancy:Males 32 year; females 39 years
Diet:Leaves, herb stems, shrubs and vines
