Quick Take
- Zookeepers and animal care experts safely transported seven western lowland gorillas from three U.S. zoos to the San Antonio Zoo after months of detailed planning.
- Congo Falls is a new two-acre, immersive habitat designed to support natural gorilla behaviors and world-class animal welfare.
- The move supports the Gorilla Species Survival Plan by forming a new troop to aid conservation and future breeding efforts.
- Congo Falls marks the return of gorillas to San Antonio for the first time in more than 35 years.
It’s no small task to transport 400-pound gorillas across the country. But that’s just what zookeepers did to move seven western lowland gorillas from three different zoos into their new home. The recently opened Congo Falls exhibit at the San Antonio Zoo is a two-acre immersive habitat. The new exhibit brings gorillas back to San Antonio for the first time in over 35 years. We spoke with Lauren Inderbitzin, the Director of Animal Wellbeing at the San Antonio Zoo via email, to get the lowdown on the logistics of such a complicated move.
Lauren Inderbitzin is the Director of Animal Wellbeing at San Antonio Zoo.
©Courtesy of the San Antonio Zoo
Q: Can you describe the process of transporting gorillas across the country?
A: Moving animals (big or small) takes a great deal of planning involving many animal care experts. Animal care facilities work closely with animal transport teams, veterinarians, and species experts to ensure that the animals have smooth travels. No matter the type of transportation used, the conditions in which the animal is transported are closely monitored. That includes temperature monitoring, camera monitoring, and frequent stops for animal experts to evaluate the animal’s well-being and/or deliver food and water.
Q: I see that gorillas have arrived in San Antonio from Atlanta, Houston, and Dallas. Did you experience unexpected challenges either leading up to or during any of the moves?
A: With such a large move, challenges are expected. The teams at all zoos met frequently to ensure we were prepared for anything and everything prior to the gorillas making their way to San Antonio. The key to working with animals successfully is having knowledge of those challenges and having a game plan for every possible outcome. One challenge we did encounter was transport teams arriving with gorillas in the dark. This adds an extra element to moving the gorillas into their new habitats, but thankfully, we were able to make adjustments and perform these late-night moves safely.
Q: What is the philosophy behind introducing gorillas to one another — especially forming a new troop?
A: In our efforts to secure a future for wildlife, San Antonio Zoo worked closely with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the gorilla Species Survival Plan. A big part of this was forming a new family troop to eventually continue the successful breeding of gorillas within human care. This new troop ensures the existence of gorillas and the conservation of the species for generations to come.
Gorillas have returned to San Antonio for the first time in 35 years in the Congo Falls immersive habitat.
©San Antonio Zoo
Q: How have the gorillas settled in since arriving?
A: The gorillas have been settling in nicely! All are readily using and exploring their habitats, engaging with enrichment, and also participating in training with their animal care specialists.
Q: How does the Congo Falls habitat support gorilla welfare and natural behaviors?
A: Congo Falls was designed specifically to promote the gorilla’s welfare. In this new 2-acre habitat, gorillas can enjoy termite mounds, fallen log browse feeders, multiple climbing structures, water features, and the largest gorilla tower in the world. In addition to the gorillas enjoying these things, guests have the unique opportunity to observe gorillas performing species-specific behaviors up close!
Q: Is there anything else you would like our readers to know?
A: Congo Falls marks the return of gorillas to San Antonio Zoo for the first time in more than 35 years and stands as a historic milestone in the zoo’s legacy. Designed to inspire awe and deepen connections between guests and wildlife, this groundbreaking habitat sets a new global standard for gorilla care, conservation, and immersive guest experiences.
We invite you to come experience Congo Falls. Stand face to face with magnificent gorillas, explore a towering landscape built for movement and discovery, and be part of a story that celebrates conservation, innovation, and the spirit of exploration.
About the Gorillas of Congo Falls
Congo Falls has welcomed seven western lowland gorillas from three separate locations around the U.S. for their new exhibit. The western lowland gorilla is a subspecies of the western gorilla. They are smaller than the other gorilla species. Males weigh around 300 pounds, while females typically weigh about 150 to 200 pounds. Native to the rainforests of Central Africa, they are classified as critically endangered.
Anaka takes a rest in her new habitat at the San Antonio Zoo.
©San Antonio Zoo
The zoo split the seven gorillas into two groups. Three female gorillas, Andi, Merry, and Anaka, from Zoo Atlanta, make up the first group. Further, they are joined by a silverback from Houston. Gina Ferrie, PhD, Vice President of Collections and Conservation at Zoo Atlanta said in a press statement, “Anaka, Andi, and Merry were born at Zoo Atlanta and have grown up here with us, so while we will miss them here in Atlanta, we are very excited for their new opportunity at Congo Falls, where they will have a chance to become part of a brand-new troop.” Ajari, a 25-year-old silverback gorilla from the Houston Zoo, weighing a massive 400 pounds, joined the female troop in November. All reports state that the females are getting along well with Ajari.
The second group of gorillas comprises three bachelors from the Dallas Zoo: B’Wenzi, Juba, and Shana. The three males are all 23 years old and have been together for more than a decade. Gorillas in the wild typically live in either family groups or bachelor groups.
