Celebrating World Gorilla Day with a Special Buffalo Zoo Milestone

Last week, the Buffalo Zoo joined conservation organizations around the globe in celebrating World Gorilla Day. It is also the perfect opportunity to reflect on an important milestone: just over a year since Babatunde, our handsome male western lowland gorilla, became part of the Zoo family.

Babatunde (19) arrived from the Bronx Zoo last September through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan recommendation, which carefully manages the population of endangered western lowland gorilla population in North American Zoos. His arrival marked the beginning of a new chapter with our two resident females, Sidney (28) and Lily (24).

Introducing gorillas to one another is a thoughtful, carefully managed process. With patience, care, and expertise from our animal care team, what began as careful introductions has grown into a dynamic troop that our guests love to visit. Much like meeting new friends, at first, there were plenty of curious looks and cautious interactions and more than a few chases around the habitat, but over time, Babatunde, Sidney and Lily have grown more and more comfortable together and have settled into a natural rhythm. They can be seen together daily on exhibit.

Watching them interact—sometimes quietly side by side, sometimes engaging in lively play—gives us all a glimpse into the fascinating world of gorillas.

Each gorilla brings something unique to the troop, creating a fascinating and memorable experience for anyone who visits.

• Babatunde is easygoing and likes going with the flow, but most of all, he enjoys building nests and taking naps. He is still working on building confidence as a new trio leader, but is getting along with the females well!
• Sidney is confident and energetic — she’ll be the first to explore something new. She’s certainly the life of the party.
• Lily is cautious and thoughtful. She’s the troop’s wallflower and likes to observe from the sidelines. Babatunde has taken a particular liking to her.

Looking ahead, there is hope that Babatunde and one of the girls will eventually welcome a baby gorilla here at the Buffalo Zoo, and patience will be important as we move toward that future.

Babatunde still has much to learn and experience in his relationships with his harem and once pregnant the females will experience long gestation periods (nearly 8.5 months) so babies are quite a while away. Such a birth would not only be a joyful occasion for our community, but also a meaningful contribution to the conservation of this critically important species.

Western lowland gorillas, like all four gorilla subspecies, are endangered. Being able to connect with them here at the Buffalo Zoo is not only a rare and meaningful opportunity, but also a reminder of the importance of protecting these incredible animals in the wild. We invite you to stop by on your next visit, and see why they’ve quickly become guest favorites.

Thanks to your support through visits and donations, we’re able to provide world-class care for these remarkable animals and share their stories with our community every single day.