Alika

A December 2014 birth at the Zoological Society of London added a new member to the western lowland gorilla family. Her mother, Mjukuu, and father, Kumbuka, watched over her as she grew under the watchful eyes of keepers.

She now reaches eleven years, a prime age for learning the social nuances of her troop. The subspecies she belongs to, Gorilla gorilla gorilla, is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN, highlighting the importance of each animal in managed care.

All of Alika’s life has unfolded at the same institution, where staff track her development and health with meticulous care. Her presence enriches the group dynamics and offers visitors a chance to connect with a species teetering on the brink in the wild.