2026 International Gorilla Workshop
Expand Your Knowledge
The Detroit Zoo will host the 2026 International Gorilla Workshop, where established and emerging professionals can learn all about the newest advances in gorilla husbandry, conservation, care and research. This workshop is the perfect chance to expand your skill set, network with your peers and ignite positive change for gorillas everywhere.
What to expect:
- FREE workshops focusing on collaborative problem-solving and cardiac health (hosted by the Great Ape Heart Project!)
- Networking events
- Keynote speeches from Dr. Hayley Murphy (Detroit Zoological Society and the Great Ape Heart Project), Urbain Ngobobo and Dr. Tara Stoinski (the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund), Jackson Kabuyaya Mbeke (Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education Center), and Dr. Rich Bergl (North Carolina Zoo)
- An exciting lineup of presenters and panelists
- A silent auction
- A day at the Detroit Zoo
- A post-workshop trip to the Toledo Zoo
Pricing and registration
- Registration for the 2025 International Gorilla Workshop has now closed. We look forward to seeing all of our participants in November!
- Please reach out to [email protected] if you have any questions, need any adjustments to your registration, or would still like to add on a t-shirt or a ticket for the post-workshop trip to the Toledo Zoo.
Scholarships
The International Gorilla Workshop scholarship awards successful applicants a waiver for complementary registration for the full workshop. This includes the Monday night Icebreaker, all sessions and speaker events on Tuesday-Thursday, the Day at the Detroit Zoo, and the Closing Banquet. Recipients are also encouraged to attend the free workshop hosted by the Great Ape Heart Project and the free Problem-Solving workshop to make the most of their experience. Scholarship applications have now closed! Thank you to all of our applicants. We are pleased to have awarded nine scholarships!
Travel, accommodations and insider tips
- 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.
- 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.
- If you would like to consider another hotel option, all of the following are located within a 10-minute drive of the Detroit Zoo:
- Hotel Royal Oak – approx. $164/night
- Baymont by Wyndham – approx. $65/night
- WoodSpring Suites – approx. $60/night
- 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.
- 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!
- Toledo Zoo & Aquarium – 1 hr
- Cleveland Metroparks Zoo – 3 hr
- Columbus Zoo and Aquarium – 3.5 hours
- Lincoln Park Zoo & Brookfield Zoo – 4.5 hours
- Toronto Zoo – 4.5 hours
- Buffalo Zoo – 4.5 hours
- Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium – 4.5 hours
- Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden – 4 hours
- Louisville Zoo – 5.5 hours
Questions?
Email [email protected].