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“Barney,” a 415 pound, 31-year-old silverback lowland gorilla, and his brother, “Shango,” a 448 pound, 36-year-old silverback, underwent a series of exams this past Friday in preparation for their upcoming transfer to Brookfield Zoo Chicago sometime later this month. In addition to the normal procedures which included blood collection, radiographs, and general physical, each gorilla received a dental cleaning, urine and fecal exam, a tuberculosis test, a cardiac ultrasound exam, and vaccines for rabies and tetanus.
The procedures were led by Zoo Associate Veterinarians, Dr. Marisa Bezjian and Dr. Nicholas Buscaglia while being overseen by Chief of Animal Health, Dr. Gwen Myers. They were assisted by human cardiologist and electrophysiologist, Dr. Ken Zide, along with his team, sonographer, Raquel McBean and cardiology fellow, Dr. Kunal Lal. The exams went well, and both gorillas have since made a full recovery back in their habitat.
Initial indications are that the gorillas are in good health and have been cleared to travel to their new home, the James and Elizabeth Bramsen Tropical Forest at Brookfield Zoo Chicago where they will be the first-ever bachelor troop displayed at Brookfield Zoo Chicago.
Bachelor troops—made up of younger males who have left their family troop or adult males who haven’t formed one—are a natural and important part of gorilla life in the wild. These social troops help foster critical skills and relationships, contributing to the well-being of the individuals and the species. Western lowland gorillas are listed as critically endangered with habitat loss, poaching, and disease being their greatest threats.
Shango and Barney’s move to Brookfield Zoo Chicago plays an important role in ongoing efforts to protect and educate the public about this species through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP). Zoo Miami also participates in the cell phone recycling program that contributes funding to gorilla conservation programs in the wild.
Barney and Shango were born at the San Francisco Zoo and arrived at Zoo Miami in May of 2017 via the Sedwick County Zoo in Kansas as part of an exhibit loan. They will be leaving Zoo Miami at the end of May to allow for the renovation of the great ape habitat so that it complies with updated Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) regulations. For the first time in over 40 years, their departure will result in the absence of gorillas at Zoo Miami for the foreseeable future.
Zoo Miami wanted to share this announcement with our followers to provide them with an opportunity to come see the gorillas before their departure.
Zoo Miami is an award winning Miami-Dade County park, continuously accredited
by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums for over 35 years.
12400 SW 152 Street, Miami, FL 33177 / 305-251-0400
www.zoomiami.org
