New Habitat for Gorillas at Zurich Zoo

(eap) In the coming years, a new habitat is to be created for the gorillas at Zurich Zoo. The “Ndoki Forest”, which is modelled on the natural habitat of the gorillas in the Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park in the Republic of Congo, is to be created in the lower part of the zoo, between the Lewa Savannah and the Masoala Rainforest. Covering around 29,000 square meters, it will not only provide space for the gorillas, but also for other animal species such as drills, okapis and pygmy hippos. The Ndoki Forest will be divided into different areas so that the animals can move from one area to the next at different intervals and in changing communal enclosures, just like in the wild. This is intended to provide constant new stimuli and challenge the animals to develop new solutions in everyday life. The center of the new habitat will be an open, swampy clearing surrounded by a dense forest with giant trees up to 25 meters high. The concept for the Ndoki Forest was designed by the architectural firm Zooplanung Schneider Klein.

“The Ndoki Forest will be a unique habitat that will set new standards in the keeping of great apes and is another important milestone towards the zoo of the future. As Zurich Zoo, it is important to us to move forward with innovative projects and offer the animals in our care optimal conditions. The Ndoki Forest will fulfill this requirement and at the same time combine all four main tasks of a scientifically managed zoo. We are thus making an important contribution to the conservation of endangered species in line with the One Plan Approach of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN),” explains zoo director Severin Dressen.

Construction of the new habitat is scheduled to start in 2028 – the opening is planned for 2031. ■