Rollie

A captive‑born western lowland gorilla, she entered the world at Lincoln Park Zoo on 3 October 1996. Her mother Kowali and father Gino were already part of the troop, giving her a solid start in a familiar family group.

When she was just five, a brief move took her to Louisville Zoological Garden in March 2002, where keepers monitored her adjustment to a new environment. After two years, the decision was made to bring her back home, and she returned to Lincoln Park Zoo in May 2004, where she has remained ever since.

Now 29, she continues to thrive under the care of dedicated staff who track her health and social interactions. Her subspecies, Gorilla gorilla gorilla, is listed as Critically Endangered, making every moment of her life in managed care especially valuable for conservation awareness.

She enjoys the enrichment routines offered by the zoo, and visitors often pause to watch her calm presence amid the lush enclosure. Her long‑term residency makes her a familiar and beloved face for both the public and the animal care team.