Zoo Gorillas vs. Wild Gorillas: A Gorilla Baby Festival

Gorilla babies….Talk about culture shock, less than two months ago we were in the Virunga Mountains in Rwanda with Terra Incognita Ecotours, coming face to face with wild mountain gorillas of all ages, from the largest silverback on the planet to tiny ones. The experience was a thrill of a lifetime. We twice hiked to where the gorillas live, and observed a different troupe each time. The second time, we saw lots of very young gorillas. Although none were quite as young as the captive gorilla baby’s we just saw at the Lincoln Park Zoo with moms Bana and Rollie.

I know people who have visited where animals live, then return home feeling angry about zoos. Fact is, that zoos help in many ways, some necessary to many species.  Though it was weird seeing gorillas in a zoo after communing with them where they live, I understand and fully support the need, and encourage support of the Lincoln Park Zoo.