Jawara

On 8 February 1998, a future silverback entered the world at Calgary Zoo, the son of Julia and Kakinga. Growing up under his mother’s watchful eye, he learned the complex social cues of his species within a captive setting.

When he was eight years old, keepers arranged a move to Zoo de Granby on 6 July 2006. The transition marked the start of a long‑term residence that has spanned more than a decade, during which he has become a familiar presence to staff and visitors alike.

Now 28 years old, he remains healthy and active, a living link to the critically endangered western lowland gorilla. His story underscores the importance of managed care for a subspecies facing severe threats in the wild.