Shai

Wild-caught gorillas like Shai represent some of the most vulnerable members of their species. Born in Africa in 2002, he entered human care as an infant — likely orphaned by the bushmeat trade or habitat destruction that continues to devastate western lowland gorilla populations across Central Africa.

After transfers through different facilities, he eventually arrived at Mefou Primate Sanctuary in Cameroon. The sanctuary specializes in caring for orphaned and rescued primates, providing a safe haven for animals who cannot return to the wild.

Now over twenty years old, Shai lives among other rescued gorillas in a setting designed to meet the complex needs of his species. Western lowland gorillas face an uncertain future in the wild, with the IUCN listing them as Critically Endangered due to hunting pressure, disease, and deforestation throughout their range in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Republic of Congo.