Two young gorillas born at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden are preparing for a major move this spring.
Moyo and ZaKota, both born in 2018, will relocate to the Dallas Zoo in March following a recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) Breeding and Transfer Plan. The SSP coordinates animal placements among accredited institutions to support healthy, genetically diverse and sustainable populations.
The brothers were the first successful gorilla births in Riverbanks’ history. Their transfer reflects more than eight years of hands-on work by the zoo’s animal care and veterinary teams, who have supported them from birth through this next stage of development. The move will allow Moyo and ZaKota to contribute to the broader western lowland gorilla population.
Their family group will remain at Riverbanks. First-time mothers Kazi and Macy, “aunt” Acacia and father Cenzoo will continue to anchor the troop as part of ongoing SSP conservation efforts…