Spotted: Jade the clouded leopard soaking in the sun! ☀️/ 📸: Keeper Zach
Happy 9th Birthday, Gus!
Happy 9th Birthday, Gus! 🎈🎉
Linda Roberts, Supervisor of the World of Primates, shares the story of the night that Gus made history as the first gorilla born at the Fort Worth Zoo. Exactly nine years ago today, Gus was born to first-time parents, Gracie and Elmo, who were both observed to be phenomenal, attentive parents from the jump.
He weighed between 4 and 5 pounds at birth, which is standard for a baby gorilla. Now, at nine years old, he weighs a whopping 214 pounds, officially outweighing each adult female in our troop and making him second in size only to his 423-pound father, Elmo. Gus can often be seen playing with his buddy Bukavu, big-brothering little Bruno and bearing a striking resemblance to his mom, Gracie.🥰
Gus holds a special place in our hearts as his birth was both a major conservation milestone for this critically endangered species and a groundbreaking first for the Zoo. Nine years later, Gus remains an integral member of our gorilla troop. Keep an eye out for updates as we follow the evolving dynamics within the troop, with a spotlight on the growth of our juvenile gorillas!🦍
We made our wishlist and checked it twice! Now we need your help filling the habitats with holiday cheer! 🎁 /Want to cross something off the list for a Zoo animal or keeper? Now’s your chance! The Zoo put together a special holiday wish list of needs ranging from animal enrichment items (like you see in this video!) to keeper equipment. Ship gifts off our wishlist straight to the Zoo anytime or bring gifts in-person during one of our upcoming gift drop-off opportunities from Dec. 17 to 20! 🎄❄️/ Learn more about our Holiday Animal Enrichment Drive and gift drop-off opportunities at the link in our bio!
There’s a new kudu in town! / A female lesser kudu calf was born in the early morning hours of Nov. 17 to parents Peaches and Cosmo. / Our animal team shares that this little calf seems particularly curious about her surroundings and keepers, regularly zipping around the barn with bravery and loads of energy.⚡️/ For now, the calf is bonding with Mom behind the scenes, as you can see here, but we look forward to sharing more (like her name 👀) soon!
A calming moment at the end of a day full of food, family, friends and fun 🦃🍁😌
This is what the Zoo looks like as it wakes up for the day ⛅️😌
Mornings are the best when you take them slow and steady 🐢🌤️ 📹: Keeper Josh
Baby Bruce is taking the milk mustache game to a whole new level! 🐮🍼
It’s the one week countdown to Thanksgiving - time to start practicing those snackin’ skills! 🌽😋. 📹: Keeper Kristen
Snooze buttons are for Hump Day! 💤❄️💙
Catch me if you can! 🦍 You can often catch Gus and Bukavu busy playing and roughhousing together, but little Bruno is never far behind, eager to prove he’s ready to play with the big boys!
Oops … hoof hit the wrong button 😦
