N'guvu

In the spring of 2013, a newborn gorilla entered the world at Parque de la Naturaleza de Cabrceno, his tiny hands already gripping the hopes of a captive breeding program. The infant, later named N’guvu, was the product of Chelewa and Niky, both seasoned members of the park’s troop.

His lineage places him firmly within the western lowland gorilla subspecies, a group listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. Growing up under the watchful eyes of his mother, he absorbed the social nuances of gorilla life, from gentle grooming to the playful tussles that define juvenile years.

After eight years at his birthplace, he made a brief but important transition on 9 November 2021, arriving at Kazan Zoological & Botanical Garden. Now 12 years old, he roams the expansive enclosure there, a living link between conservation efforts and public education. Keepers note his steady presence as a reminder of both the fragility and resilience of his species.