Western Lowland Gorilla

At the Detroit Zoo

The Detroit Zoo is home to four gorillas who 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.

Typically, the gorillas who call the Zoo home can be seen at the Great Apes of Harambee, a 4-acre habitat that is also home to chimpanzees. In the winter months, the gorillas can been seen in the habitat’s indoor viewing area.

Description
Western lowland gorillas are large, muscular primates. They have black skin and coarse hair ranging in color from brown to gray. The hair on the back of the males will turn silver-gray with age, earning them the name “silverback”. They have small ears, large nostrils, one well-defined brow and short muzzles.