Imbizo

A thunderous presence in the Ouwehands troop, Imbizo first opened his eyes on 11 February 2005 at Howletts Wild Animal Park. His mother Emba and father Kouillou watched him grow among the lush enclosure, a rare sight for a captive‑born western lowland gorilla.

Eight years later, on 12 February 2013, he made the journey to Ouwehands Dierenpark. The transfer marked his second home and the start of a new chapter within a different group of gorillas. Keepers noted his smooth adaptation, and he quickly settled into the social fabric of his new environment.

Now 21, he remains a cornerstone of the herd, his silvering fur hinting at the next stage of his life. The species he belongs to, Gorilla gorilla gorilla, is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN, underscoring the importance of each mature male in managed populations.

Visitors often pause at his enclosure, drawn by his calm yet powerful demeanor. His story, from a birth at Howletts to a thriving life at Ouwehands, reflects the dedication of the teams that care for these great apes.