Zahra

A tiny bundle of curiosity arrived at National Zoological Park on 27 May 2023, the result of a careful breeding program. She is the daughter of Calaya and Baraka Ya Mwelu, both seasoned members of the troop, and her presence adds youthful energy to the group.
Her early weeks were spent under the watchful eye of her mother, who taught her the basics of foraging and social play. As she grew, keepers noted her quick learning and the way she mirrors the gestures of older gorillas, a sign of healthy development in captive‑born western lowland gorillas.
Now three years old, Zahra enjoys a varied diet, enrichment activities, and regular health checks that keep her thriving. The subspecies she belongs to, Gorilla gorilla gorilla, is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN, highlighting the importance of every successful birth in managed care.
She remains at National Zoological Park, where the staff continue to monitor her progress and integrate her into the social fabric of the troop, ensuring she contributes to the long‑term stability of this precious population.