The Toronto Zoo is carefully navigating a major milestone in its gorilla conservation efforts — the introduction of a new silverback to its troop.

Zwalani, a Western lowland silverback gorilla from the Granby Zoo, recently joined the Africa Rainforest Pavilion as part of an important breeding program. But, as with any gorilla introduction, the process has come with challenges.

Two female gorillas, Nneka and Charlie, sustained minor injuries during early interactions with Zwalani as the group worked out its social hierarchy. Charlie received stitches for a cut, while Nneka was treated for arm, back, and foot soreness after undergoing x-rays. A third female, Ngozi, was not hurt.

Despite these setbacks, the Toronto Zoo says staff are encouraged by the progress, noting that positive bonds are forming between Zwalani and the females. Such introductions, though sometimes tense, are natural for gorillas and play a vital role in ensuring genetic diversity and supporting the long-term survival of the species.

While the gorillas continue to recover, they may be out of view to visitors, but the zoo emphasizes that their role as ambassadors is crucial in raising awareness for the conservation of Western lowland gorillas in the wild.