Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo welcomes 24-year-old gorilla Johari from Toronto
A female gorilla from the Toronto Zoo has made its way to a new home in Calgary, where staff hope to pair her with the resident silverback.
Article content
Johari, a 24-year-old western lowland gorilla, arrived last week at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, where she will be introduced to the gorilla troop.
Article content
Article content
The move was recommended under the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' (AZA) species survival plan, which manages the breeding of endangered animals in human care.
Article content
Article content
'It's a program that maps out the differences of the gorillas so that they are best genetically matched to pair to breed,' said Colleen Baird, director of animal care, health and welfare at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo.
Article content
Article content
The zoo hopes Johari will form a breeding pair with Calgary's silverback gorilla, Jasiri — a match that could ultimately contribute to the long-term survival of the critically endangered species.
Article content
Of the 16 western lowland gorillas in human care at AZA-accredited zoos in Canada, only four are male. These include Jasiri and his two-year-old infant Okabe, who both reside in Calgary. This makes finding appropriate matches for breeding difficult, resulting in long transports like this one.
Article content
'We can already tell Jasiri is interested in her. I think that's a good sign, because likely he will be the first to introduce with her,' Baird said.
Article content
Article content
Animal care teams in Toronto and Calgary worked closely to plan out the move in detail, from transport logistics to health checks. A caregiver from Calgary's team spent time in Toronto to build familiarity with Johari and her routines, and a member from Toronto is currently in Calgary to help with the transition.
Article content
Article content
Johari will remain off display during the quarantine and early introduction period. While some introductions may take place in view of the public, the zoo says it will depend on the animal's readiness.
Article content
'It's kind of hit and miss when you come to the zoo, but you're always going to see the gorillas being active. They love the summer, they love being outside. You're going to see lots of gorilla activity and it's dynamic right now with this new addition,' Baird said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
a day ago
- CBC
Toronto Zoo to take in blind, baby moose after province approves transfer from Ottawa
Social Sharing The Toronto Zoo will soon become home to a blind baby moose who was rescued near Ottawa earlier this month. The two-month-old baby moose, now named Cedar, was found by an animal rescue group on a rural road in Hawkesbury, Ont. Cedar was brought to Holly's Haven Wildlife Rescue, where he spent the last three weeks getting professional veterinary aid and care. "The moose calf was blind and wandering on its own with no sight of a mother," said Lynne Rowe, the rescue organization's director of operations. Rowe said staff immediately set up a room to assess Cedar's health, and found he has partial sight in one eye. By the next day, a small outdoor enclosure was created for him to move into. While Rowe said they would usually turn to Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Rosseau, Ont., to secure permanent shelter for rescued animals, they were told the sanctuary was at capacity with moose. So Rowe shifted gears and reached out to the Toronto Zoo, which they said felt like a "fantastic alternative." In order to get Cedar to the zoo, Rowe had to obtain approval from the provincial Ministry of Natural Resources. It came in within a day of applying. "Moose cannot be taken out of the wild to be put in a zoo," Rowe explained. The only way a native Canadian animal like a moose can end up in an enclosure is if it is deemed unfit to be released back into the wild. WATCH | Ottawa rescue looks to transfer baby moose to Toronto Zoo: A blind baby moose calf may be coming to the Toronto Zoo 2 days ago A blind baby moose calf needs a new home — and the Toronto Zoo might hold the answer. CBC News spoke to a rescue centre in Ottawa about its challenge in rehabilitating the young moose, Cedar, and why it's turning to Toronto for help. Dolf DeJong, CEO of the Toronto Zoo, said the zoo has a suitable moose enclosure and would be happy to welcome Cedar. A full zoonotic disease scan and other risk assessment steps will be taken before the move. "Anytime you're moving ungulates around the province, that's really important," DeJong said. "Our veterinarians will connect with their veterinarians now so we can get a full understanding of Cedar's condition and make sure we're able to provide that support he needs for him to thrive." DeJong said the best-case scenario would have been for the animal to be healthy and released back into the wild. But there are upsides to this alternative solution. "Many Canadians don't have the chance to see a moose, have never realized that they are massive, incredible animals with really fun diets and some really unique adaptations," he said. "And if he needs a forever home, we're excited to be able to share that story and to provide that care for him." At this time, DeJong said there is no set date for when Cedar will be moved to the zoo or when visitors can see him. The priority is making sure Cedar is in good health, he said. "This is a visually impaired moose who will have his list of challenges. So our team will be doing their homework to make sure he's got the highest probability of success possible," he said. "He's certainly been through a lot," DeJong said. "It's an honour and a duty we don't take lightly." Cedar will continue living at Holly's Haven until he is cleared by vets to be in good shape to travel and all required paperwork at the zoo's end is complete, Rowe said.
CTV News
2 days ago
- CTV News
Toronto Zoo to become home of Cedar, a blind baby moose rescued near Ottawa
Blind baby moose, two-month-old Cedar, who was rescued near Ottawa earlier this month is shown at Holly's Haven Wildlife Rescue in Dunrobin, Ont., in this handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Kim Cambell Rooney (Mandatory Credit) The Toronto Zoo will soon become home to a blind baby moose who was rescued near Ottawa earlier this month. The two-month-old baby moose, now named Cedar, was found by an animal rescue group on a rural road in Hawkesbury, Ont. Cedar was brought to Holly's Haven Wildlife Rescue, where he spent the last three weeks getting professional veterinary aid and care. 'The moose calf was blind and wandering on its own with no sight of a mother,' said Lynne Rowe, the rescue organization's director of operations. Rowe said staff immediately set up a room to assess Cedar's health, and found he has partial sight in one eye. By the next day, a small outdoor enclosure was created for him to move into. While Rowe said they would usually turn to Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Rosseau, Ont., to secure permanent shelter for rescued animals, they were told the sanctuary was at capacity with moose. So Rowe shifted gears and reached out to the Toronto Zoo, which they said felt like a 'fantastic alternative.' In order to get Cedar to the zoo, Rowe had to obtain approval from the provincial Ministry of Natural Resources. It came in within a day of applying. 'Moose cannot be taken out of the wild to be put in a zoo,' Rowe explained. The only way a native Canadian animal like a moose can end up in an enclosure is if it is deemed unfit to be released back into the wild. Cedar The Toronto Zoo will soon become home to a blind baby moose who was rescued near Ottawa earlier this month. The two-month-old baby moose, now named Cedar, was found by an animal rescue group on a rural road in Hawkesbury, Ont. Dolf DeJong, CEO of the Toronto Zoo, said the zoo has a suitable moose enclosure and would be happy to welcome Cedar. A full zoonotic disease scan and other risk assessment steps will be taken before the move. 'Anytime you're moving ungulates around the province, that's really important,' DeJong said. 'Our veterinarians will connect with their veterinarians now so we can get a full understanding of Cedar's condition and make sure we're able to provide that support he needs for him to thrive.' DeJong said the best-case scenario would have been for the animal to be healthy and released back into the wild. But there are upsides to this alternative solution. 'Many Canadians don't have the chance to see a moose, have never realized that they are massive, incredible animals with really fun diets and some really unique adaptations,' he said. 'And if he needs a forever home, we're excited to be able to share that story and to provide that care for him.' At this time, DeJong said there is no set date for when Cedar will be moved to the zoo or when visitors can see him. The priority is making sure Cedar is in good health, he said. 'This is a visually impaired moose who will have his list of challenges. So our team will be doing their homework to make sure he's got the highest probability of success possible,' he said. 'He's certainly been through a lot,' DeJong said. 'It's an honour and a duty we don't take lightly.' Cedar will continue living at Holly's Haven until he is cleared by vets to be in good shape to travel and all required paperwork at the zoo's end is complete, Rowe said. 'I'm very eager to see him settled into his new place,' Rowe said. 'I will definitely visit him at some point in the future.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 25, 2025. Fatima Raza, The Canadian Press
CBC
4 days ago
- CBC
A blind baby moose calf may be coming to the Toronto Zoo
A blind baby moose calf needs a new home — and the Toronto Zoo might hold the answer. CBC News spoke to a rescue centre in Ottawa about its challenge in rehabilitating the young moose, Cedar, and why it's turning to Toronto for help.
