Zwalani

When Zwalani first opened his eyes on 14 January 2000, the Calgary Zoo welcomed a new western lowland gorilla cub into the world. His mother Tabitha tended him closely, while his sire Kakinga provided the paternal presence typical of the species.

At six and a half years old, he was relocated to Zoo de Granby, where he spent the bulk of his formative years. The move on 6 July 2006 marked his first major transition, and he adapted well to the new troop dynamics.

A recent transfer on 28 July 2025 brought him to the Toronto Zoo, where he now lives among a seasoned group of gorillas. At 26 years of age, he represents a living link to a critically endangered subspecies, offering hope and insight for future conservation work.