Gorillas

CMZ LIve!

Meet Cleveland's gorilla troop on CMZ Live! Tune into Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s Facebook or YouTube for a dynamic live viewing of the Zoo’s gorilla troop as they interact in their outdoor habitat.

Baby Animal Cam

Netflix’s “Baby Animal Cam” was a weekly two-hour livestream that exclusively featured animals from Cleveland Metroparks Zoo! The show featured a live look at the Zoo’s Western lowland gorillas, Eastern black rhinos, Bornean orangutans and Asian small-clawed otters. Watch on demand anytime.

Support the Troop

Jameela (Born January 5, 2024) Jameela, a western lowland gorilla born at the Fort Worth Zoo, arrived March 27 at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo with hopes of joining the zoo’s gorilla troop and that one of the adult female gorillas will step in as a foster to mother the infant. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo was identified as a potential home for Jameela after her mother and other female gorillas at the Fort Worth Zoo did not show maternal care for the infant.
Baby K (Born July 19, 2023) Born to mom, Kebi Moyo (32), and dad, Mokolo (36), the newborn Western lowland gorilla was only the second gorilla born at the Zoo in its 141 years. Weighing approximately 4 lbs. at birth, newborn gorillas are in almost constant contact with their mother for the first six months and nurse for about three years. The newborn is the second gorilla fathered by adult male Mokolo after Kayembe.
Kayembe (Born Oct. 26, 2021) Kayembe was the first baby gorilla in Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s history. His name means “extraordinary” in recognition of his amazing birth and story. Kayembe was estimated to be at least six weeks premature at birth and his mother, Nneka, did not immediately show appropriate maternal care that is required for newborn gorillas. However, the troop’s eldest female, Fredrika or “Freddy,” quickly picked him up and has been serving as his surrogate mother ever since.
Fredrika "Freddy" (Born June 5, 1974) Freddy is the oldest gorilla in the troop. Having previously raised four infants, Freddy’s maternal instincts quickly took over when Kayembe was born and she has taken the role of the adoptive mother, providing constant care and protection of Kayembe. Freddy is socially savvy and wise, having lived through a lot of life experience.
Mokolo (Born July 10, 1987) Mokolo is Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s longest gorilla resident and is the male silverback. As the leader of the troop, his role is to protect and lead the family as well as to break up any quarrels amongst the other adult gorillas. He always has a watchful eye of everything going on at any moment with the other members of the troop. At nearly 400 pounds, he is twice the size of the adult females of the troop.
Nneka (Born Sept. 23, 1998) Nneka is the youngest adult female in the gorilla troop and is the birth mother of Kayembe. Unfortunately, she did not show proper maternal care for Kayembe at birth which required Freddy to step in and take on that critical role. She has continued to show more interest in Kayembe over time but remains in a lesser role of his upbringing now that Freddy has taken the infant under her wing.
Kebi Moyo (Born Jan. 13, 1991) Kebi Moyo or “Kebi” arrived to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in 2017 and quickly formed a strong bond with Freddy before they were both introduced to Mokolo. As one of the younger females, she enjoys climbing to higher spots in the habitat and gets along very well with Freddy. Kebi has been a great mom to the newborn and keeps the baby close to her at all times.
Tusa (Born Dec. 2, 1989) Tusa arrived at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in May 2019 from Albuquerque Zoo in New Mexico. She was the fourth female added to the troop and is the most independent among the other gorillas. Tusa can be identified by her large brown eyes and grayer hair. Tusa is the lowest ranked gorilla in the social hierarchy of the troop.