Posted by Gigi Allianic, Communications
Kitoko, whose name means beautiful or handsome in the African languages, Lingala (lin-gah-lah)/Kikongo (key-KON-goh), has reached the subadult stage of a gorilla when males naturally leave their natal group (birth family) or are driven out to form bachelor groups with other young adult males. This "bachelor stage" of life can last several years while they learn from each other how to navigate gorilla society before eventually maturing into a silverback (adult male) who may be able to lead his own group of females and start a family.
"Kitoko has entered the phase of testing the patience of family members, especially the females. He has always been adventurous, energetic and playful, but as a 6-year-old male he's becoming rowdier, trying to push his weight around while the adults keep him in check," said Arden Robert, Animal Care Manager of Primates at Woodland Park Zoo. "Rather than wait before he becomes too boisterous, resulting in family scuffles, this is an auspicious time to move him to a new home where he can live with other males of similar ages and temperaments."
The birth of Kitoko on March 4, 2020 marked the first significant birth at the zoo during the pandemic and the first baby for mom Uzumma. "The birth of Kitoko was the start of a remarkable baby boom at Woodland Park Zoo in 2020. The baby gorilla endeared himself to legions of fans of all ages throughout the community as they watched him grow via closed-circuit cam, reels, and photos we shared on our social media channels, especially while we were closed to the public during the first four months of his life," said Martin Ramirez, Curator of Mammalogy at Woodland Park Zoo. "This precious gorilla touched the hearts of many and brought much needed uplifting, laughter, and joy during a time of social distancing and throughout his time here. While we're going to miss having Kitoko in our family, we can't help but be very excited for the long-term benefits the move will have for him as he grows into adulthood and thrives with other bachelor gorillas."
The zoo has been working with the Gorilla Species Survival Plan to identify a new home for Kitoko. Per the plan's recommendation, he will move to a zoo accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, like Woodland Park Zoo is, where he will be socialized with an all-male group of gorillas and cared for by high caliber gorilla caretakers and veterinary staff. Out of respect for the gorilla's new home and their wish to go bananas announcing his arrival, the name of the zoo is being withheld until he arrives safely and settles into his new surroundings.
A gorilla caretaker will travel with Kitoko and remain several days to help him settle into his new home. To help ensure a comfortable and safe road trip, crate training sessions have been taking place in an area not viewable to the public to help him with crate comfort and desensitization. Kitoko's daily breakfast and dinner meals are placed in the crate to help him feel at ease in the space. "Because of the trusting relationships cultivated between the gorilla care team and each gorilla, crate training for Kitoko is progressing very well—he entered the crate on day one. On cue, he enters the crate, eats his meals in the crate and exits. This will tremendously help keep the relocation on track," added Robert.
"We are all so excited that Kitoko is starting this new chapter. It will be so much fun watching him grow, mature, and gain all the valuable skills he needs to learn to become an amazing silverback one day, even if he's not directly with us. Of course, we are also sad to see him leave. We loved watching him grow up, and he brings so much joy to the gorilla keepers, zoo guests and fans. I am especially going to miss seeing his cute face every day and watching his mischievous self run around causing trouble and playing with Zuna, but we know this is the best decision for him," said Tesh Hunter, a gorilla keeper at Woodland Park Zoo.
In addition to Kitoko's family group, Woodland Park Zoo currently cares for six other gorillas who live in a separate family group: silverback Nadaya; adult female Jumoke; new moms Olympia and Jamani; and babies Oku and Kadre. There will be 12 gorillas remaining at the zoo after Kitoko's departure. Stay tuned to Woodland Park Zoo’s social media and zoo.org/animals/zoobabies for viewing and other updates.
Help gorillas
A portion of every visit and membership to Woodland Park Zoo supports saving wildlife in the Pacific Northwest and around the world, including protecting western lowland gorillas. Recycle old cell phones and other used handheld electronics through ECO-CELL at zoo.org/greenzoo to help preserve gorilla habitat. Adopt a gorilla: ZooParent adoptions help the zoo provide exceptional care for its gorillas and all its amazing animals: zoo.org/zooparent.
Photos by Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren
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| Kitoko in January, 2026. Photo by Beth Keplinger/Woodland Park Zoo |
Be sure to swing by Woodland Park Zoo and share good vibes and feels with 6-year-old Kitoko (ki-TOE-koh), a male western lowland gorilla, as he gets ready to embark on a new chapter of his life by moving to a new home. The last day to see Kitoko and show him some love will be Monday, August 31.
Kitoko, whose name means beautiful or handsome in the African languages, Lingala (lin-gah-lah)/Kikongo (key-KON-goh), has reached the subadult stage of a gorilla when males naturally leave their natal group (birth family) or are driven out to form bachelor groups with other young adult males. This "bachelor stage" of life can last several years while they learn from each other how to navigate gorilla society before eventually maturing into a silverback (adult male) who may be able to lead his own group of females and start a family.
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| April 2022, Kitoko with Yola and Kwame. Photo by Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo |
At Woodland Park Zoo, Kitoko's natal group consists of mom Uzumma; dad Kwame; adult females Nadiri, Akenji and Yola; and juvenile female Zuna, who is a year younger than Kitoko, her half-brother.
"Kitoko has entered the phase of testing the patience of family members, especially the females. He has always been adventurous, energetic and playful, but as a 6-year-old male he's becoming rowdier, trying to push his weight around while the adults keep him in check," said Arden Robert, Animal Care Manager of Primates at Woodland Park Zoo. "Rather than wait before he becomes too boisterous, resulting in family scuffles, this is an auspicious time to move him to a new home where he can live with other males of similar ages and temperaments."
 |
| Kitoko with mom, Uzumma, in 2020. Photo by Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo |
The birth of Kitoko on March 4, 2020 marked the first significant birth at the zoo during the pandemic and the first baby for mom Uzumma. "The birth of Kitoko was the start of a remarkable baby boom at Woodland Park Zoo in 2020. The baby gorilla endeared himself to legions of fans of all ages throughout the community as they watched him grow via closed-circuit cam, reels, and photos we shared on our social media channels, especially while we were closed to the public during the first four months of his life," said Martin Ramirez, Curator of Mammalogy at Woodland Park Zoo. "This precious gorilla touched the hearts of many and brought much needed uplifting, laughter, and joy during a time of social distancing and throughout his time here. While we're going to miss having Kitoko in our family, we can't help but be very excited for the long-term benefits the move will have for him as he grows into adulthood and thrives with other bachelor gorillas."
The zoo has been working with the Gorilla Species Survival Plan to identify a new home for Kitoko. Per the plan's recommendation, he will move to a zoo accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, like Woodland Park Zoo is, where he will be socialized with an all-male group of gorillas and cared for by high caliber gorilla caretakers and veterinary staff. Out of respect for the gorilla's new home and their wish to go bananas announcing his arrival, the name of the zoo is being withheld until he arrives safely and settles into his new surroundings.
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| Kitoko in May 2020. Photo by Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo |
Species Survival Plans are cooperative breeding programs across accredited zoos and aquariums to help ensure healthy, self-sustaining populations of threatened and endangered species. Breeding and other management recommendations are made for each animal with consideration given to the logistics and feasibility of moves between institutions, as well as maintenance of natural social groupings.
A gorilla caretaker will travel with Kitoko and remain several days to help him settle into his new home. To help ensure a comfortable and safe road trip, crate training sessions have been taking place in an area not viewable to the public to help him with crate comfort and desensitization. Kitoko's daily breakfast and dinner meals are placed in the crate to help him feel at ease in the space. "Because of the trusting relationships cultivated between the gorilla care team and each gorilla, crate training for Kitoko is progressing very well—he entered the crate on day one. On cue, he enters the crate, eats his meals in the crate and exits. This will tremendously help keep the relocation on track," added Robert.
 |
| Kitoko in March, 2024. Photo by Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo |
"We are all so excited that Kitoko is starting this new chapter. It will be so much fun watching him grow, mature, and gain all the valuable skills he needs to learn to become an amazing silverback one day, even if he's not directly with us. Of course, we are also sad to see him leave. We loved watching him grow up, and he brings so much joy to the gorilla keepers, zoo guests and fans. I am especially going to miss seeing his cute face every day and watching his mischievous self run around causing trouble and playing with Zuna, but we know this is the best decision for him," said Tesh Hunter, a gorilla keeper at Woodland Park Zoo.
In addition to Kitoko's family group, Woodland Park Zoo currently cares for six other gorillas who live in a separate family group: silverback Nadaya; adult female Jumoke; new moms Olympia and Jamani; and babies Oku and Kadre. There will be 12 gorillas remaining at the zoo after Kitoko's departure. Stay tuned to Woodland Park Zoo’s social media and zoo.org/animals/zoobabies for viewing and other updates.
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| A tiny Kitoko in December 2020. Photo by Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo |
Help gorillas
A portion of every visit and membership to Woodland Park Zoo supports saving wildlife in the Pacific Northwest and around the world, including protecting western lowland gorillas. Recycle old cell phones and other used handheld electronics through ECO-CELL at zoo.org/greenzoo to help preserve gorilla habitat. Adopt a gorilla: ZooParent adoptions help the zoo provide exceptional care for its gorillas and all its amazing animals: zoo.org/zooparent.
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