A 425-pound silverback gorilla, Mosi, has arrived at Busch Gardens. Learn about the AZA Species Survival Plan move and how the new Busch Gardens gorilla is settling in with Whimsie and Merah at Myombe Reserve.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay announced some huge, heart-pounding news from Myombe Reserve. A new, magnificent silverback Western Lowland Gorilla, 19-year-old Mosi, has joined the Busch Gardens family, marking an exciting new chapter for our gorilla troop and for conservation efforts.
Mosi, a stately 425-pound silverback, traveled to Tampa last month from Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago. This vital move was meticulously planned through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP), an incredible program that acts as a matchmaker to ensure genetic diversity and support the long-term conservation of endangered animals.
A Familiar Face Travels to Tampa
Planning a trip for a gorilla of Mosi’s size is a massive undertaking. The process, carefully coordinated by the care teams at Lincoln Park Zoo and Busch Gardens, began in late summer. To ensure Mosi would feel most comfortable, Myombe Team member Gillian Mescher-Rodriguez flew north to spend time with Mosi and his caregivers in Chicago. This crucial visit allowed Gillian to learn about Mosi’s personality and preferences, including his favorite treat: peanut butter.
“It was rewarding to know that we had built a relationship during my time at Lincoln Park Zoo that could translate here and help him transition to our care,” Gillian recounted. “I was happy he had a familiar face waiting for him!”…