Tebe

Captured from the wild in Cameroon, she entered captive care long before the modern era of gorilla conservation. Her first home was Howletts Wild Animal Park, where she arrived as a youngster and spent over a decade among a close‑knit troop. In March 1991 she was transferred to Port Lympne Wild Animal Park, a move that introduced her to new companions and enrichment routines. After six years, a return to Howletts in early 1997 saw her settle back into familiar surroundings, where she remained for the rest of her life.

Her subspecies, the western lowland gorilla, is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN, underscoring the importance of every animal under human care. Throughout her 45 years, keepers monitored her health closely, noting the robust nature she displayed despite the challenges of aging. The sudden catastrophic cardiac episode that claimed her life on 8 February 2025 was a profound loss for the park staff who had known her for decades.

Beyond the numbers, Tebe’s presence helped educate countless visitors about the plight of her species in the wild. Her story, from a wild‑caught calf to a senior matriarch, reflects both the history and the ongoing responsibility of zoos to protect and inspire conservation efforts.