Mbula

Chessington’s grounds buzz with the familiar thrum of a gorilla that has never left the park’s gates. From the moment he opened his eyes on 10 March 2009, he has grown alongside his mother, Buu, and father, Damisi, forming bonds that keep his troop cohesive. He is a proud silverback, a role he embraced after years of playful growth, and his presence anchors the group’s social structure.

His subspecies, the Western Lowland Gorilla, faces critical threats in the wild, yet within the park’s walls he thrives, receiving daily enrichment and veterinary care that keep his health in check. Every morning he wanders the enclosure, greeting visitors with a gentle nod, reminding everyone that conservation is a shared responsibility.

At 17 years old, he continues to be a living testament to the success of captive breeding programs. Watching him interact with the young ones offers a glimpse of hope for a species that still struggles beyond these walls.

The park’s staff have long celebrated his milestones—each step from infant to adult marked with care and observation. Through his life at Chessington, he exemplifies how dedicated stewardship can protect a species that is critically endangered in the wild.