Mandara
Details Mandara came to the Zoo during October of 1985, when she was 3 years old. She had been hand-raised with Kuja in Milwaukee. Later she became part of a group of unrelated Gorillas formed at the National Zoo to help socialize her and Kuja. She was subsequently impregnated by Gus and reared her first offspring, Kejana. She also adopted Baraka whe he was born to Haloko, the following year. Finally, she gave birth to a female, Kigali, in 1994. Mandara is known as the Super Mom. If you can't keep all of this straight, 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