Inkumi the Gorilla in Pictures

Inkumi is a baby western lowland gorilla born at Zoo de La Palmyre on August 6, 2024. Her name means “little girl” in Rwandan. Inkumi is the 14th gorilla born at the zoo since 1974 and the first offspring of her 34-year-old silverback father, Nyuki, who was hand-raised by the zoo staff after being rejected by his own mother. Inkumi is closely bonded with her mother Ybana, who carries her and protects her while she learns to explore their enclosure and develop climbing skills. Inkumi’s birth is significant as western lowland gorillas are critically endangered due to habitat loss, poaching, and diseases like Ebola. The zoo supports conservation efforts to protect gorillas in the wild, and Inkumi’s growth represents hope for the species’ future.