Kukena

She entered the world on 27 September 2011 within the bustling environs of Bristol Zoo Gardens, the daughter of Salome and Jock. Growing up under the watchful eyes of her mother, she benefitted from the close‑knit care that captive breeding programs strive to provide.

When she turned eight, a carefully planned relocation moved her to Zoo Aquarium de Madrid on 2 March 2020. The transition marked the second zoo in her life, and she quickly settled into a new troop, adding her presence to the European western lowland gorilla community.

Now 14 years old, she remains a vital part of the Madrid collection. Her subspecies, Gorilla gorilla gorilla, carries a Critically Endangered status on the IUCN Red List, highlighting the importance of every animal in managed care.