Knoxville, TN (WOKI / WVLT) Zoo Knoxville curators announcing Tuesday that Kumi, a 25-year-old female Western lowland gorilla, has moved to the Scruffy City!
She’ll join a family of six other gorillas, including silverback male Bantu, females Hope, Machi, and Kowali, and juveniles Obi and Andi.
The Zoo Knoxville team is keeping a close eye on Kumi as curators say she is still getting used to the new environment.
Western lowland gorillas are considered critically endangered. Zoo Knoxville is working with zoos around the country to keep a stable population in human care.
“If we are going to protect the species, we need to ensure we have a genetically sustainable population of gorillas that are thriving in the care of AZA-accredited zoos,” said KateLyn Miller, great apes keeper. “Kumi is genetically important, and we hope to successfully introduce her to Bantu. Her wellbeing is our top priority, and our first steps are to make sure Kumi’s transition to our group here in Knoxville is a positive one done at her own pace.”
Kumi is set to make her debut this weekend at Zoo Knoxville’s Gorilla Valley habitat.
