Biddy

Wild-caught from Africa, Biddy arrived at Twycross Zoo in December 1975 during an era when capturing gorillas from their natural habitat was still practiced. She would spend the next fifty years as part of the zoo’s gorilla community.

Her subspecies faces mounting pressure in the wild. Western lowland gorillas are classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN, with habitat destruction and hunting continuing to threaten remaining populations across central Africa.

Biddy lived through decades of changes in gorilla care and conservation understanding. She witnessed the evolution of zoo practices, from the early methods of the 1970s to modern approaches focused on naturalistic environments and breeding programs.

Age-related health issues eventually took their toll. In September 2025, veterinarians made the difficult decision to euthanise her, ending nearly five decades of life in managed care. Her longevity reflected both the quality of care she received and the resilience typical of her species.