Mothers & Infants
Details This photo includes both gorilla mothers, each holding the other's infant. Haloko is in the foreground with Kejana, and Mandara is in the back with Baraka. Each animal is "aunting" the other's baby, though Mandara is actually acting as a wet-nurse. 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