Thabo

A splash of excitement rippled through the Royal Rotterdam Zoological Gardens on 18 April 2015 when a male western lowland gorilla entered the world. His mother, Tamani, and father, Bokito, watched over him as he grew under the careful eyes of keepers.

He spent the first nine years of his life amid the familiar sights and sounds of Rotterdam, developing the strength and social skills typical of his subspecies. At 11 years old, his timeline took a turn; a move to Italy was arranged to enrich the troop at Zoosafari di Fasano.

On 11 March 2024 he arrived at his new home, where he has settled into a new environment while maintaining the genetic lineage of his captive-born heritage. The western lowland gorilla, listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN, benefits from the stewardship provided by both institutions.

His presence adds depth to the conservation narrative at Zoosafari di Fasano, reminding visitors of the fragile state of wild populations and the importance of managed care.