Dalila

A soft rustle in the misty morning enclosure often signals her arrival at the feeding platform, a reminder of the gentle presence she brings to Gaia Zoo. At 54 years old, she is a western lowland gorilla, a subspecies listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. Her long life offers a living link to a species that faces immense pressures in the wild.

She entered the world on 1 January 1972 in Cameroon, captured from the wild. Both her parents were wild‑born, so her genetic roots trace directly back to the forests that once cradled her.

The first move came on 30 November 1974, when she was transferred to Copenhagen Zoo, where she spent nearly 17 years. A second relocation on 17 September 1991 placed her in Apenheul Primate Park, and she remained there for over 17 years before the next change.

Since 14 April 2009, Gaia Zoo has been her home. Here she enjoys a stable environment and contributes to the awareness of her critically endangered kin.