Bangori

Western lowland gorillas face extinction in the wild, with fewer than 100,000 left across their African range. Bangori was born at Gladys Porter Zoo in February 2004, the son of Mary and Moja, entering a world where his subspecies carries the IUCN classification of Critically Endangered.

For over twelve years, he grew up in the Texas zoo where he was born. Captive-born gorillas like Bangori represent hope for his subspecies — each birth matters when wild populations continue to decline due to habitat loss and hunting pressure.

In July 2016, at age twelve, he made the move to Santa Barbara Zoological Gardens in California. The transfer marked a new chapter for the young male, who has now spent several years establishing himself on the West Coast. He remains there today, part of the carefully managed population of western lowland gorillas in North American zoos.