Haloko | ||
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Details | Haloko is from the Philadelphia Zoo. She came to the National Zoo in December of 1989. She became part of the family group formed to properly socialize young, hand-reared Gorillas. Hand-reared animals often make bad parents because they focus on people rather than other Gorillas. The support and guidance of being in a family group can help hand-reared animals learn how to be good Gorilla parents. To learn more see Gorillas Just Want to Have Fun by Kim Eisler - Washingtonian Magazine. | |
Species | Lowland Gorilla - Gorilla G. Gorilla | |
Range | Zaire River Basin, from coastal Gabon to the Virunga Mts. of Zaire, Rwanda & Uganda. | |
Habitat | Undisturbed rain forests to 3,000 m. (10,000 ft.). | |
Social Structure | Troops of 4 to 30 gorillas; a silver-backed male leads each troop. | |
Behavior | Shy, unaggresive. Builds nests on the ground or in trees up to 18 m. (60 ft.) where they spend the night. | |
Voice | About 16 different vocalizations. | |
Diet | Prefers leaves, shoots & buds. | |
Lifespan | 37 years in zoos. | |
Status | Endangered |