Mother and daughter, Kashata and Grace, join the OKC Zoo's gorilla family troop as part of AZA’s Species Survival Plan.
The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden invites fans to visit its newest animal family members, Western lowland gorillas, Kashata (33) and her daughter, Grace (7). The mother-daughter duo joined the Oklahoma City Zoo’s gorilla family troop and can be seen exploring their habitat at Great EscApe.
Kashata and Grace arrived earlier this summer from an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited institution in Central Florida following a recommendation from AZA’s Species Survival Plan® (SSP) for gorillas. AZA’s SSP programs are cooperative conservation initiatives managed by animal experts to ensure the sustainably of species populations within AZA accredited zoos and aquariums.
Since arriving at the Zoo, Kashata and Grace have been going through an introduction process to become familiar with their new environment and troop members. Gorillas are highly social animals and introducing members into a troop takes time and patience, everything is done at the animals’ pace. This process also allows caretakers to work on building their relationships with Kashata and Grace to learn their personalities and behaviors which is essential for their care and training.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Kashata and Grace to our gorilla family,” said Oklahoma City Zoo’s Assistant Curator of Primates, Pace Frank. “The girls are thriving and have successfully integrated into the troop. Kashata and Grace are starting to form relationships with individual troop members which is important for them as they learn their roles within the group and build lasting social bonds.”
OKC Zoo caretakers share that Kashata is a very confident and intelligent gorilla. Grace, the smaller of the two gorillas, was named in honor of the Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education Center (GRACE), a conservation organization created to care for orphaned Grauer's gorillas rescued from the illegal wildlife trade in Africa and protect critical forest habitats for gorillas and people. According to Zoo caretakers, Grace has a playful and curious personality and is always eager to participate in training sessions with them.
With the addition of Kashata and Grace, the Zoo’s gorilla family troop includes silverback Togo (37) and females Emily (41), Mikella (22), Rubi (11), and Azinza (8). The Zoo also cares for a male bachelor troop including George (22), Bo (20), and Bakari (20).
Native to the lowland forests of Central and Western Africa, Western lowland gorillas are critically endangered and threatened by illegal poaching, disease, and habitat destruction due to extractive industries such as mining. By supporting the AZA’s SSP and SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction program for gorillas and working with global conservation partners like the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund (DFGF), the Zoo is committed to conserving wild gorilla populations and their habitat to ensure a future for this beloved species. DFGF is one of the OKC Zoo’s legacy conservation partners and funds provided by the Zoo are used to support protection and research efforts for mountain gorillas in Rwanda and Grauer’s gorillas in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Since its inception, DFGF has grown its impact through scientific research and education, as well as by providing daily protection for mountain gorillas and aiding local communities by supplying jobs and other resources.
OKC Zoo fans can take conservation action to help wild gorillas by donating a cell phone to the Zoo’s Gorilla on the Line program. Cell phones and other small electronic devices contain a mineral called coltan, which is mined all over the world, including Africa, home to gorillas. Recycling these electronics decreases the demand for coltan while raising funds and awareness for gorillas and other imperiled species. The OKC Zoo provides participants with a free general admission voucher for making a donation! One voucher per person. Devices can be dropped off at the OKC Zoo’s guest services office, during regular business hours. Learn more at Gorillas on the Line.
Join the Oklahoma City Zoo as it celebrates its popular primates and hosts World Primate Day on Saturday, October 3. Guests of all ages will enjoy engaging activities, special animal enrichment, caretaker chats, giveaways, and more while learning more about the Zoo’s primates and their wild ambassadors. Activities are planned from 9:30 a.m. to noon and are free with Zoo admission.
Located at the crossroads of I-44 and I-35, the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is a proud member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the American Alliance of Museums and Oklahoma City’s Adventure District. Zoo admission can be purchased at the park or online at Admission Tickets. Stay connected with the Zoo on Facebook, Instagram, Linktree, and TikTok, and through the Zoo’s Blog. Zoo more with a ZOOfriends membership! Members enjoy free admission to the Zoo for 12 months, plus exclusive benefits and discounts while supporting the Zoo’s animal care and conservation initiatives locally and all around the world. Learn more and become a member today at www.okczoo.org/membership.