Four new gorillas at Calgary Zoo

2009-05-22

Calgary Herald

Four Western Lowland gorillas from the Big Apple have begun settling into their new home at the Calgary Zoo.

Nicknamed the “Bronx Four,” the group arrived from the Bronx Zoo early Thursday morning. The New York City contingent includes two 6-year-old boys named Shana and Zola and two 8-year-old girls named Dossi and Kioja.

The move to Calgary comes as a result of a recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Species Survival Plan for Western Lowland gorillas. The gorillas will now complete a required 90-day quarantine before being introduced to the zoo's current troop.

“They have already settled in quite well to our quarantine facility at the Animal Health Centre where they will spend the first part of their quarantine,” said Dr.

Doug Whiteside. “After they complete their preliminary quarantine period and testing they will be moved to separate quarters in the back area of the TransAlta

Rainforest where they will be near Silverback Kakinga and the rest of the Calgary troop, but will have no direct contact with them until the end of the quarantine period.”

Three staff from the Bronx Zoo will remain in Calgary for a few days to help the gorillas make the transition to their new home.