Three Dutch zoos swap gorillas
Friday, 26 September 2025
ARTIS, Safaripark Beekse Bergen and Royal Burgers' Zoo will exchange several female gorillas as part of the European population management programme for Western gorillas on Friday, 26 September 2025. Programme coordinators hope that the female moving to Arnhem from Amsterdam will produce offspring with a genetically valuable silverback who was transferred from Warsaw Zoo to Burgers' Zoo earlier this year.
Western gorilla EEP coordinator
ARTIS is responsible for coordinating the European population management programme for all Western gorillas. This programme is known as an EEP, or EAZA Ex-situ Programme, with EAZA being the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria. ARTIS maintains a detailed overview of all Western gorillas in European zoos and makes recommendations on the optimal group composition in those zoos.
Gorilla transport between three Dutch zoos
Two females are leaving ARTIS because they are not allowed to have offspring from the silverback in Amsterdam, as he has already fathered enough offspring. One female is moving to Safaripark Beekse Bergen; the other is moving to Burgers' Zoo, where she will hopefully produce offspring with the silverback who was transferred from Warsaw Zoo to Arnhem earlier this year. Another female is being transferred from Arnhem to ARTIS.
A carefully orchestrated introduction
When transporting apes, it is customary for one of the animal's regular zookeepers to accompany them to the new destination to ensure a smooth transition for the animal. At Burgers' Zoo, the new female will first become accustomed to her new zookeepers and conspecifics in the indoor enclosures, in a peaceful and quiet environment out of the public eye. The silverback will play a crucial role in introducing the new female to the group. The introduction will be carried out gradually, step by step.
