Koundu

Koundu (pronounced Koon-doo; born October 6, 1975 in Howletts Wild Animal Park, England) is a silverback Western Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) currently on display at the Birmingham Zoo along with one of his sons, Cenzoo.

Koundu is the son of Kisoro and Mouila. When his mother, Mouila, couldn't provide adequate care, Lady Sarah Aspinall raised him by hand. He was later transferred to Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, where he sired several children. In April 1996, Koundu; Cenzoo; Cenzoo's mother, Jo-Ray-K; and a fourth gorilla were moved to the new Primate Panorama exhibit at the Denver Zoo.

In March 2003, Koundu and Cenzoo were transferred to Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida as part of the internationally recognized Species Survival Plan (SSP) administered by members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Dominance issues later led the pair to be separated while there.

The pair were transferred to the Birmingham Zoo in 2010.

References

• Westerman, Alex. (December 2, 2005). "Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s Baby Gorilla Named." Thrill Network.
• Cayton-Holland, Adam. (February 15, 2007). "Super Ape." Denver Westword.
• Dewar, Jane. (May 17, 2009). "Special Gorillas." Gorilla Haven.
• "Enjoy the Zoo this Memorial Day Weekend & See Our New Family of Animals." (May 27, 2010). Zoonews (electronic newsletter). Birmingham Zoo.