{"id":422331,"date":"2025-12-03T18:23:14","date_gmt":"2025-12-03T18:23:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/422331\/"},"modified":"2025-12-03T18:23:14","modified_gmt":"2025-12-03T18:23:14","slug":"three-more-gorillas-arrive-in-san-antonio-ahead-of-congo-falls-grand-opening","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/422331\/","title":{"rendered":"Three more gorillas arrive in San Antonio ahead of Congo Falls grand opening"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"One of the San Antonio Zoo\u2019s new arrivals, Shana, eats a pumpkin. Credit: Jacob Downing<\/p>\n

Three more gorillas, this time a pack of males, arrived at the San Antonio Zoo this week ahead of the highly anticipated opening of Congo Falls \u2014 the city\u2019s first gorilla habitat in more than three decades.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The three males \u2014\u00a0Shana, B\u2019wenzi and Juba \u2014 will form a bachelor troop with the three females who arrived in San Antonio last week<\/a>. Congo Falls eventually will include a total of seven western lowland gorillas, native to Central and West Africa.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cShana, B\u2019wenzi and Juba are incredible, and we are honored to welcome them to their new home in Congo Falls,\u201d San Antonio Zoo President and CEO Tim Morrow said in a statement. \u201cTheir presence here strengthens global gorilla conservation efforts and allows us to inspire guests in powerful new ways. This bachelor group, together with the family group, will make Congo Falls one of the most exciting gorilla habitats in the country.\u201d<\/p>\n

The gorillas\u2019 arrival from the Dallas Zoo is part of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums Species Survival Plan, a program designed to support genetically healthy, sustainable populations of endangered species in accredited zoos.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Indeed, the World Wildlife Fund lists western lowland gorillas as critically endangered<\/a>. The group cites poaching, habitat loss and disease among the main drivers of their decline.\u00a0<\/p>\n

All of the San Antonio Zoo\u2019s western lowland gorillas will live at Congo Falls, a 2-acre, immersive, naturalistic habitat wedged between the rhino and lion exhibits in the park\u2019s African-themed section.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Congo Falls also will feature a 30-foot-tall waterfall, overhead pathways, 360-degree viewing areas and what zoo officials maintain is world\u2019s tallest gorilla tower.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The exhibit officially opens to the public Dec. 13. However, some may be able to catch a sneak peek of the gorillas before then as they acclimate to their new home.\u00a0<\/p>\n

More details on Congo Falls\u2019 grand opening are available at the San Antonio Zoo\u2019s website<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"First\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tThe $30 million gorilla habitat will open to the public Dec. 13. \t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"San\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tThe San Antonio Zoo hasn\u2019t housed gorillas in over three decades.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Gorilla\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tDespite the loss, the San Antonio Zoo is still expected to announce the opening date for Congo Falls on Nov. 15. \t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

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