GORILLAS LAND

The Wildlife Conservation Society (aka Bronx Zoo) is located in the Bronx borough of New York City, within Bronx Park. It is the world's largest metropolitan zoo, with some 6,000 animals representing about 650 species from around the world. The zoo comprises 265 acres (107 ha) of park lands and naturalistic habitats, through which the Bronx River flows. The Bronx Zoo is part of an integrated system of four zoos and one aquarium managed by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Oka, who arrived to Bronx Zoo from South Africa in September 1941 was the first gorilla imported to this zoological institution, and Hodari, born in October 1972, the first baby gorilla, born to parents Sukari* and Bendera*.

The gorilla enclosure at Bronx Zoo is considered by many as the best one worldwide. It is located inside of a zoo zone called Congo Gorilla Forest, featuring about 55 different species from Africa such as okapis or colobus. With a capacity to house 25 gorillas, there are two outdoor enclosures dedicated to gorillas which recreated the wild habitat of gorillas with grass, trees, rocks and waterfalls. Both enclosures are connected through a gate to have the opportunity to rotate the gorillas. Off-exhibit spaces include two tall, skylighted gorilla community dayrooms, eight interconnected shift spaces, two gorilla quarantine spaces and three outdoor gorilla holding cages.