The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is home to a remarkable group of Western lowland gorillas, each with their own unique personalities and stories. From the impressive silverback male, Goma, to the late and beloved Juju, these primates captivate visitors with their intelligence, strength, and gentle nature.
The Silverback Leader: Goma
At the heart of the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s gorilla troop is Goma, the 33-year-old silverback male. As the geriatric leader of the group, Goma faces the challenge of managing his heart disease, a common ailment among older great apes. Thanks to the dedicated care and monitoring provided by the zoo’s veterinary team, Goma receives regular cardiac ultrasounds and oral medication to manage his condition.
Goma’s impressive skills and gentle demeanor have earned him a special treat – a charcuterie board fit for a king. This delectable spread includes a variety of his favorite foods, such as peanuts, grapes, bananas, primate biscuits, and handmade peanut butter-and-oatmeal roll-ups, all served in a souvenir CMZoo cup filled with juice.
Goma’s health updates, images, and medication regimen are shared with the Great Ape Heart Project, a collaborative effort among great ape keepers and veterinarians. This data helps researchers and caregivers better understand the heart health of gorillas and orangutans, ultimately leading to improved care and conservation efforts.
The Troop Dynamics
The Western lowland gorillas at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo are a cohesive troop, with the hope of a future baby addition. These magnificent primates face significant threats in the wild, including disease, poaching, and habitat loss due to logging, human settlements, and mining.
One of the zoo’s long-time residents, Juju, a 43-year-old female Western lowland gorilla, sadly passed away in December 2023 due to late-stage kidney disease and other age-related ailments. Juju was known for her confident role in the troop, her vocal nature, and her gentle, playful interactions with her gorilla bestie, Roxie.
Conserving the Gorillas’ Habitat
The Western lowland gorillas’ habitat is under threat from various human activities, including the mining of coltan, a mineral used in cell phones and other electronics. To help combat this issue, the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo encourages visitors to donate their old cell phones in a recycling bin near the gorilla habitat. These phones are then sent to Eco-Cell, an organization that recycles the phones and other electronics, helping to reduce the demand for coltan and protect the gorillas’ natural environment.
Visiting the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Gorillas
The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo offers visitors a unique opportunity to observe these magnificent primates up close and learn about their fascinating lives. Whether you’re captivated by Goma’s impressive skills, moved by Juju’s legacy, or inspired to take action to protect the gorillas’ habitat, a visit to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Key Facts about Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Gorillas
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Gorilla Troop | 5 Western lowland gorillas, including Goma (silverback male) and 4 females: Asha, Kwisha, Roxie, and the late Juju |
| Goma’s Age and Condition | 33 years old, geriatric with heart disease |
| Goma’s Care | Receives oral medication and regular cardiac ultrasounds to manage his heart condition |
| Juju’s Passing | Died in December 2023 at 43 years old due to kidney disease and other age-related ailments |
| Habitat Threats | Poaching, habitat loss due to logging, human settlements, and mining (coltan) |
| Cell Phone Recycling | Visitors can donate old cell phones to help reduce the demand for coltan |
References:
– Cheyenne Mountain Zoo News Archive: Gorilla
– Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Remembers Juju, 43-Year-Old CMZoo Gorilla Icon
– Primate World Celebrates Gorilla Milestone and Crosses Fingers for Baby Fever