Nona

Born in Africa on June 6, 2026, Nona came from the wild before finding her way to Mefou Primate Sanctuary. Her early life in her natural habitat was cut short, leading to her placement in sanctuary care where she now lives among other displaced primates.

Her species faces mounting pressure across Central and West Africa. Western lowland gorillas carry a Critically Endangered designation from the IUCN, reflecting decades of habitat loss and human encroachment on their forest homes. Each gorilla removed from the wild tells a story of disruption, but also of potential recovery under proper care.

At Mefou Primate Sanctuary, she joins other primates who have experienced similar displacement. The sanctuary specializes in providing long-term care for great apes who cannot return to the wild, creating as natural an environment as possible for animals with complex social and physical needs.

Though still young, she has already experienced more upheaval than most gorillas face in a lifetime. Her presence at the sanctuary highlights both the ongoing threats to her species and the dedicated work required to care for displaced great apes.