2 Milwaukee County Zoo gorillas moving to Columbus Zoo
Two gorillas died in 2018 in Milwaukee
Two gorillas died in 2018 in Milwaukee
Two gorillas died in 2018 in Milwaukee
Two members of the gorilla exhibit at the Milwaukee County Zoo are about to be relocated to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Ohio.
The zoo's female western lowland gorilla, 17-year-old-Shalia, and her son, 4 ½-year-old Sulaiman (Sully), will be leaving soon.
Sully's father, Cassius, died unexpectedly in April 2018, as did adult female Naku.
Their deaths were the result of gastrointestinal infections, likely E. coli from the exhibit's water system, zoo officials said.
"It's important for Sully's social development and long-term welfare to have bonding opportunities with other young males and have an adult male provide stability," said apes/primates curator Trish Khan.
Naku's daughter, Zahra, was transferred to the Columbus Zoo in June 2018.
The Columbus Zoo will offer Shalia and Sully a suitable family unit, in joining with silverback Mac and his family.
Mac has a history of accepting offspring other than his own, and his family group consists of several adult females and their offspring, as well as Zahra.
The remaining western lowland gorillas at the zoo include two males, half-brothers Maji (28 years old) and Hodari (24 years old).
Both have spent most of their lives in Milwaukee together.