Hasani

Western lowland gorillas face extinction in the wild, with fewer than 100,000 left across their African range. The IUCN lists Hasani’s subspecies as Critically Endangered, making every birth in managed care part of a broader conservation effort.

Born at San Francisco Zoological Society to parents Monifa and OJ, he spent his first decade growing up within that established troop. Those early years shaped his development from infant to juvenile, a critical period for gorillas learning social behaviors and hierarchy.

In October 2019, he made the move south to Los Angeles Zoo Botanical Garden. The transfer represented a new chapter for the young male, who by then had reached sexual maturity. At fifteen years old, he continues to be part of the managed population of his critically endangered subspecies.

Captive-born gorillas like him serve as genetic reservoirs for their species. His lineage through Monifa and OJ connects him to the broader studbook that tracks western lowland gorilla breeding across zoos worldwide.