Mogo Zoo has welcomed 12-year-old Kisane, a black-back male gorilla who arrived from Howletts Zoo in the United Kingdom.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Kisane joined the zoo as part of the European Endangered Species Program for the western lowland gorilla, a critically endangered species.
The zoo's veterinarian Chantal Whitten said Taronga and Melbourne zoos were part of the breeding program, and it was exciting for Mogo to also be involved.
She said Kisane was chosen to join the zoo based on his genetics matching one or more of the three female gorillas at the zoo.
Mogo Zoo tragically lost their male gorilla last year.
"His genetics matched to one or more of our females here," she said.
"Once introductions start, we will hopefully have young within two years."
She said Kisane had a "lovely nature".
"He's a bit stressed after the long trip, but he's eating well and adjusting to his new surroundings," she said.
"He's very handsome. He has a nice strut when he walks.
"He's very inquisitive and looking around a lot."
She said Kisane would be isolated for 30 days, which was part of biosecurity regulations for animals that came from overseas countries.
"We will monitor him for 30 days, keepers will build up a rapport with him and we will see what foods he likes and doesn't like," she said.
READ MORE: First-time mum not horsing around
"After that, we will introduce him to the female gorillas."
The public may not be able to see Kisane for some time, depending on how introductions with the other female gorillas go and how long they take.
"It's not a process we rush," she said.
"We have to do lots of planning to how we introduce him to the female gorillas," she said.
Ms Whitten said gorillas can live into their early 50s in captivity.
She said there were only 150,000 individual gorillas in the wild with 20 per cent living in protected areas.
