Meet Misha's New Family

An update on baby gorilla "Misha's" progress since being introduced to her new family....
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has been a pioneer of the gorilla surrogacy program for more than 25 years. Eight of Columbus Zoo's gorillas have been raised in the surrogacy program and an additional six have been sent from other zoos.
There are about 850 gorillas in zoos worldwide including 359 in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan. There are now 16 gorillas at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.
Habitat loss and deforestation have historically been the primary cause for declining populations of Africa's great apes, but experts now agree that the illegal commercial bushmeat trade has surpassed habitat loss as the primary threat to ape populations. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium supports numerous conservation projects including the Bushmeat Crisis Task Force, the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance and the Human-Wildlife Conflict Collaboration. In 1991 the Columbus Zoo founded Partners in Conservation to conduct conservation and humanitarian programs benefiting both wildlife and people in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC.) Over the past five years the Columbus Zoo and Partners in Conservation has distributed more than $3.8 million in conservation grants worldwide.
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is open 363 days of the year 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. after Labor Day. General admission is $12.99 for adults, $7.99 for children ages 2 to 9 and seniors 60+. Children under 2 and Columbus Zoo members are free. The Zoo was named the #1 Zoo in America by USA Travel Guide and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA.) For more information and to purchase advance Zoo admission tickets, visit www.columbuszoo.org.