Latest news with #gorilla
CTV News
14 hours ago
- General
- CTV News
Gorilla Zwalani leaves Granby Zoo for breeding program in Toronto
Zwalani had called Granby home for more than 20 years, but is headed to Toronto for a breeding program (photo: Alex Sauro / Noovo Info) Granby Zoo has said goodbye to Zwalani, a 25-year-old alpha male gorilla who has been transferred to the Toronto Zoo as part of a breeding initiative. Zwalani had called Granby home for more than 20 years. While the zoo team is sad to see him go, the staff sees it as a crucial step for the conservation of the endangered species. 'This is a critically endangered species, so accredited zoos like Granby Zoo really play a vital role in saving these species,' Julie Hébert, a content specialist and biologist at the zoo, told Noovo Info. Earlier this week, Zwalani was introduced to a group of three female gorillas at the Toronto Zoo. Just as in the wild, the exit of an alpha male like Zwalani leaves a leadership void. That means the three remaining male gorillas at Granby Zoo may experience rising tension in the coming weeks as they sort out their social hierarchy—ideally with minimal human interference. Habitat degradation a major hurdle While breeding programs in zoos are important, the ultimate goal of reintroducing animals into the wild is far more complex. Due to habitat destruction caused by human activity, the population of western lowland gorillas has dropped by 60 per cent over the past 25 years. At Granby Zoo, the focus is on offering a safe and enriching environment for male gorillas—a kind of modern-day 'Noah's Ark' aimed at improving future breeding efforts. But rewilding remains a long-term challenge, said Hébert. 'When it comes to gorillas, we're going to have to work very hard to restore their natural habitats,' she explained. 'Before we can think about reintroducing animals, we have to make sure they have the environment to do so.'
Daily Mail
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Father who wore gorilla outfit to pick up daughter at 'woke' school is reprimanded for 'serious safeguarding issue'
A father who wore a gorilla costume for his daughter on her last day of term was left stunned to be told by her ' woke ' school his actions were 'a serious safeguarding concern'. Chris Napthine donned the ape outfit to meet his daughter, Addie, on Friday July 18, but was shocked when he later received a 'snotty' text message. The 47-year-old went to Hertford Vale C Of E Primary School in the village of Staxton, North Yorkshire, has since branded the school's response 'ridiculous'. It was seven-year-old Addie's last day of Year 2 when Mr Napthine decided to don the gorilla suit as a bit of fun. The dad-of-two, a self-employed horse dentist and farmer, said: 'It's a little village school and I live just opposite it. 'I went there, my son went there and now my little girl does. 'I was just trying to embarrass her. She's always saying, 'Dad, please don't embarrass me'. 'The other day I put a horse's head on, so on the last day of school I put on a gorilla outfit. 'Then, I got this snotty text off the school, saying it's a 'serious safeguarding issue'.' The text, shared by Mr Napthine, read: 'Please do not come into school in a costume or mask. 'This is a serious safeguarding issue. It has also upset some of the children & caused concern for adults.' But Mr Napthine said he sees nothing wrong with his prank - labelling the school 'woke' for its stance. However the school argued that staff need to be aware of who is on premises at all times and a costume would not allow them to be sure who was walking in. He added: 'How is that a safeguarding issue? Where is it going to end? Are the kids not going to be allowed to dress up? 'I really didn't like the way they worded it. 'I was just trying to have a bit of a laugh, but the school have taken it dead serious. 'I messaged them back, but they didn't reply. 'I just thought it was ridiculous. Safeguarding is about the safety of the kids. 'A dad in a gorilla outfit is not a safeguarding issue - let alone a 'serious' one. 'It's taking the p**s. I've had lots of messages of support, saying: 'What on Earth is this country coming to? A kid can identify as a cat but a dad can't dress up as a gorilla'. 'That's what dads do: embarrass their daughters. I'm always playing jokes and messing about. 'It's just a bit woke.' Paul Bradbury, chairman of the board of governors at the school, told The Telegraph: 'Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our pupils is not only our commitment but is a statutory responsibility for all schools. A key part of this is knowing who is on the school premises at all times. 'Parents and carers place their trust in us to safeguard their children, and it is essential that we uphold that trust by ensuring all visitors are clearly identifiable and behave in a way that supports a calm and safe learning environment. We are sure people will agree that's not possible when someone is wearing a full gorilla suit. 'That's why we have asked the parent involved not to do this again and been clear that while some children may have been entertained, some were frightened, and our staff could not identify an adult on site looking through windows. 'We remain committed to creating a safe, supportive, and respectful environment for all pupils, staff, and visitors.'
Telegraph
21-07-2025
- Telegraph
Father who wore fancy dress on school run given ‘safeguarding' warning
A father who dressed up in a gorilla costume for his daughter's last day of term was told by her 'woke' school his actions were 'a serious safeguarding concern'. Chris Napthine, 47, wore the ape outfit to collect his seven-year-old daughter on Friday but said he later received the 'ridiculous' text from the school. Mr Napthine's daughter was on her last day of Year 2 at Hertford Vale C of E Primary School in the village of Staxton, North Yorkshire, when he decided to dress up to 'embarrass her' for a bit of fun. He said: 'That's what dads do: embarrass their daughters. I'm always playing jokes and messing about. 'The other day I put a horse's head on, so on the last day of school I put on a gorilla outfit. Then, I got this snotty text off the school, saying it's a 'serious safeguarding issue'.' The text, shared by Mr Napthine, read: 'Please do not come into school in a costume or mask. 'This is a serious safeguarding issue. It has also upset some of the children & caused concern for adults.' But Mr Napthine said he sees nothing wrong with his prank – labelling the school 'woke' for its stance. He added: 'How is that a safeguarding issue? Where is it going to end? Are the kids not going to be allowed to dress up? 'I was just trying to have a bit of a laugh, but the school have taken it dead serious. 'Ridiculous' 'I just thought it was ridiculous. Safeguarding is about the safety of the kids. A dad in a gorilla outfit is not a safeguarding issue, let alone a 'serious' one. 'I've had lots of messages of support, saying: 'What on Earth is this country coming to? A kid can identify as a cat but a dad can't dress up as a gorilla'. Paul Bradbury, chairman of the board of governors at the school, said: 'Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our pupils is not only our commitment but is a statutory responsibility for all schools. A key part of this is knowing who is on the school premises at all times. 'Parents and carers place their trust in us to safeguard their children, and it is essential that we uphold that trust by ensuring all visitors are clearly identifiable and behave in a way that supports a calm and safe learning environment. We are sure people will agree that's not possible when someone is wearing a full gorilla suit. 'Some children frightened' 'That's why we have asked the parent involved not to do this again and been clear that while some children may have been entertained, some were frightened, and our staff could not identify an adult on site looking through windows. 'We remain committed to creating a safe, supportive, and respectful environment for all pupils, staff, and visitors.' Responding to the school's statement, Mr Napthine claimed he had taken his gorilla mask off at the school – meaning both staff and his daughter were 'well aware' it was him. He added: 'I get it would be a safeguarding issue if I'd have gone and not taken it off, but I took the mask off. 'They were very well aware it was me and they knew it was me regardless of that.'
CTV News
02-07-2025
- General
- CTV News
Calgary Zoo announces new addition to gorilla troop
The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo has welcomed a new gorilla into the fold. Officials say western lowland gorilla Johari arrived at the zoo last week. The 24-year-old female came from the Toronto Zoo. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan recommended Johari as a potential breeding partner for Calgary silverback Jasiri. 'We're absolutely thrilled to welcome Johari to our troop,' said Colleen Baird, the zoo's director of animal care, health and welfare, in a Wednesday news release. 'She brings a charismatic personality and playful spirit that will be a wonderful addition—especially alongside Dossi, as they both share an endearing habit of accessorizing with enrichment items.' Johari will spend a couple of weeks in quarantine in the African Rainforest building before being gradually introduced to the troop. Gorilla Johari The Calgary Zoo's newest member is gorilla Johari. (Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo) Her arrival follows the death of two-year-old Eyare, who died last November after being hit by a hydraulic door. Officials said the death was the direct result of human error. In the time since, the zoo says it has completed a full review of its practices and implemented 'significant changes' to enhance safety and animal wellbeing practices. 'We will never forget Eyare,' said Baird. 'We owe it to her and to all the animals in our care to uphold the very highest standards of welfare.' Johari's arrival brings the total number of gorillas in the troop to seven.
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Little Boy, 3, Unconscious After Falling 24 Feet into Zoo Enclosure. Seconds Later, Female Gorilla Picked Him Up
Binti Jua became a hero when she rescued a 3-year-old boy who fell into her gorilla enclosure at the Brookfield Zoo outside of Chicago She safely scooped the boy up and delivered him to zookeepers, who were waiting at the door to her habitat Binti Jua is still alive today, greeting visitors at the Brookfield ZooIt's been nearly three decades since the world's hairiest hero burst into public consciousness. In 1996, a 3-year-old boy tumbled 24 feet into a gorilla enclosure after sliding through a barrier at a Chicago-area zoo. What happened next was as surprising as it was endearing. Video from the Brookfield Zoo's Western Lowland Gorilla Pit showed a then-8-year-old gorilla named Binti Jua making her way to the unconscious tot. Onlookers feared the worst, wondering what the 160-lb. great ape would do to the tiny intruder. Binti Jua, who had her own 17-month-old baby clinging to her back, stunned everyone as she carefully picked the lifeless boy up around his waist, cradled him in her arms and carried him to a service door where zoo officials awaited. Upon gingerly putting the child down, she scurried away, Sondra Catzen, a zoo spokeswoman, told the Chicago Tribune in 1996. At the time of the incident, six other gorillas were in the exhibit, and zookeepers used a hose to keep them at bay. The incident garnered international headlines and has been discussed ever since, particularly 20 years later at a Cincinnati Zoo, when another child fell into a gorilla enclosure — that time, though, things took a much darker turn, as zoo officials shot and killed the 450-lb. gorilla named Harambe, who was seen dragging the child. Whereas Harambe was male, Binti Jua was female, which could have factored into the differing results. In the year that followed, many attributed Binti Jua's actions to her 'motherly instinct.' "She was somewhat protective, too. Part of the video, she takes the child and sort of turns a shoulder to the other gorillas," zoo worker Jay Peterson told CBS News in 2011. In addition, zookeepers noted that Binti Jua, whose name means "daughter of sunshine' in Swahili, was born in captivity and raised by humans, so seeing the person in her midst wasn't completely foreign. The boy, who's never been publicly named, spent four days in the hospital, but only suffered a broken hand and facial cuts. In the wake of the five-minute incident, Binti Jua became an ever greater attraction at the zoo and was showered with gifts and letters from around the world. The Chicago Tribune reported that several people offered money to adopt Binti Jua, and an Illinois grocer gifted her 25 lbs. of bananas as a means of thanks. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Binti Jua, who arrived at the Brookfield Zoo in 1991 on a breeding loan from the San Francisco Zoo, still lives in Brookfield's gorilla exhibit. In March, she celebrated her 37th birthday. According to National Geographic, Western Lowland gorillas typically live to 35 years old in the wild, but usually live longer under human care. They are listed as a 'critically endangered species.' The World Wildlife Fund reports that the gorilla's numbers have declined by more than 60% over the last 20 to 25 years due to poaching and disease. Read the original article on People
