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 six 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. In August 2024, Motema, daughter of Mshindi and Bandia, made history as the first gorilla ever born at the Detroit Zoo. In July 2026, she was joined by her half-sister, born to Tulivu and Mshindi.