Gorilla at Calgary Zoo celebrates 1st birthday

The Calgary Zoo and Wilder Institute are celebrating Eyare’s first birthday.

The baby gorilla got a chance to go all out for the celebration, with the zoo providing decorations, wrapping paper, and gifts galore.

“Today we went overboard with things like colour, everything that Eyare would like,” said Carrie Coleman, supervisor of the Rainforest Building.

It’s a big day at the zoo! Our littlest western lowland gorilla ‘Eyare’ is turning 1! ????

Join us in celebrating Eyare’s first birthday! ???? #YourZooYYC #ApeAwarenessMonth #SavingSpecies pic.twitter.com/cOleQf30rw

— Calgary Zoo (@calgaryzoo) April 20, 2023

“There is lots of tissue paper, things that Eyare is really drawn to, so things that she can take up and wave around with our arms and move around, and lots of things for the rest of the group to work with as well. We want to make sure that it is a party for all members of the troop as you will see, and everybody’s having a good time.”

Coleman says this is a big deal for the Gorilla Species Survival Plan (SSP), which has a goal of “ensuring the genetic and demographic health of the captive population.”

“The species survival plan is always a major, major deal for us with people that work with gorillas in captivity and the people that work with them in the wild,” Coleman explained.

The World Conservation Union (IUCN) classifies both western lowland gorillas and Cross River gorillas as “critically endangered,” according to the Gorilla SSP.

Eyare plays with some ribbon while in her play space at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo in Calgary on Thursday, April 20, 2023. (Nick Blakeney, CityNews image)

Coleman says the gestation period for gorillas is eight-months, adding the zoo is there as support for expecting mothers.

“They’ve done a fabulous job bringing this little one up, and we couldn’t be happier,” Coleman said.

“Whenever any of our gorillas are put forth with a breeding recommendation, zoos work together so that it’s not every zoo working independently, we make sure that gorillas globally are doing well numbers-wise. So in any given year, it can be several babies.”

She says the North American Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the European equivalent are “thrilled” with the news.

“Most importantly, this troop is happy, they’re healthy, and we couldn’t ask for anything more,” she explained.

Eyare looks up while in her play space at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo in Calgary on Thursday, April 20, 2023. (Nick Blakeney, CityNews image)

Jamie Seaman, a communications specialist with the zoo, says “Eyare continues to grow and gain confidence.”

“She can frequently be seen exploring, engaging in play behaviours and enrichment, and foraging with her family throughout the day.”

Seaman explains Eyare, in her first few months, was always seen in close company with her mom, Dossi, along with Dossi’s sister, Kioja.

In addition, Eyare has developed “very strong relationships” with her father Jasiri and other members Zuri and Yewande over the past few months.

“She regularly engages with all members of her close-knit troop,” Seaman said.

“You’ll see her venture more on her own while exploring the indoor habitat as the adult troop members rest throughout the day.

“She is a very playful, energetic and bright little gorilla – a delight for staff and visitors alike,” she added.