Gorilla: Mzuri - Melbourne Zoo |
The most famous gorilla at Melbourne Zoo, Mzuri was born on June 3 1984, a son of Melbourne's second female, Yuska.
Melbourne Zoos' Gorilla group began in 1980 when a pair, Buluman and Betsy arrived from Taronga Zoo. Buluman proved to be sterile and so an IVF project was started. He was the first animal to be born through IVF successfully which made news worldwide.
Melbourne watched with pride as Mzuri the gorilla passed infancy and matured into an adult gorilla and was heartbroken to hear that Mzuri was leaving Melbourne to take up residency at Jersey Zoo. Melbourne Zoo received hundreds of letters of protest to the transfer, reflecting the personal affection, and willingness to take action, that communities have to the animals within their zoos.
Mzuri, who became a large, handsome silverback male died in May 2017 at the age of 32 in a French Zoo.
At about the time Mzuri left for Jersey, we received in return, a young male gorilla from Jersey who was a few months older than our Mzuri. That male, Motaba, is the sire of the current crop of young gorillas. Mzuri's mother and father, Yuska and Rigo* both lived at Melbourne Zoo.
In Jersey, Mzuri is known by his studbook name, Ya Kwanza and that name was used by staff here before he left. Mzuri was his media name. It is interesting that when Melbourne Zoo keepers have visited him in Jersey, he has recognized them immediately, so he hasn't forgotten his past!
Rigo* - Male, born 1970 - 2013
Yuska - Female, born 1971
G-Anne - Female, born 1979
Julia - Female, born 1982
Motaba - Male, born 1983
Yadumu (Yakkini) - Male, born 1999
Johari - Female, born 2000
Ghubari - Male, born 2000
*Rigo*
Rigo, the Silverback Western Lowland Gorilla and father of Mzuri, sadly died on Thursday 18th July 2013 at 8:40am of heart failure.
❊ Address ❊
⊜ Elliott Avenue Parkville 3052 View Map
❊ Web Links ❊
➼ Gorilla: Mzuri - Melbourne Zoo
➼ www.zoo.org.au
➼ www.wikipedia.org/Jersey_Zoological_Park
➼ Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust
❊ Also See... ❊
➼ Melbourne Zoo
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Accessibility: Contact the venue for accessibility information.
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