Nadaya, the Handsome Silverback, Celebrates His Birthday
New Gorilla Family Group Thriving at Woodland Park Zoo
Nadaya, the silverback gorilla, is turning 22 on April 4th. At Woodland Park Zoo, he lives with three females, Olympia, Jamani, and Jumoke. Nadaya, Olympia, and Jamani arrived at the zoo last year to form a new family group with Jumoke after her male companion, Vip, died in 2021. The family group is bonding and doing well together. Nadaya is a relaxed, calm, and mature leader of his family.
Animal Keepers Build Relationships with Gorillas
The past few months have given the animal keepers time to get to know the newest gorillas’ individual personalities and preferences and build trusting relationships with them. Nadaya’s name comes from the Nigerian language Hausa, which means “first” or “first one.” Nadaya was the first offspring of his parents and was born in Chicago in 2001. Rachel, one of the gorilla keepers at Woodland Park Zoo, knew Nadaya when she was a student researcher at Brookfield Zoo and later became a primate keeper.
Finding the Right Match for Gorilla Families
The Gorilla Species Survival Plan (SSP) worked with the zoo’s Animal Care team to identify the right silverback to form a new family group with Jumoke and the two other females. Nadaya, from Saint Louis Zoo, was recommended by the SSP and caught the attention of Rachel and the other Animal Care team members. They agreed that Nadaya had gained enough experience as part of a large, playful, multi-generational family of females, babies, and other males, to be the perfect fit to become the leader of his group in Seattle.
Nadaya Settling into New Home at Woodland Park Zoo
Nadaya has settled into his new family group and is an adept and confident climber. He loves to sit on things, even putting his feet up like an easy chair and ottoman. Nadaya enjoys being close to all the females in his group, and his favorite foods include romaine, peanuts, grapes, and bananas. The females are all bonding and getting along well, and Jumoke tends to be the highest-ranking female right now.
Nadaya – A Dedicated Father and Loyal Partner at Woodland Park Zoo
Woodland Park Zoo is a well-known and popular zoo in Seattle, Washington. This zoo has many exotic animals, including Nadaya and his family.
Nadaya, a western lowland gorilla, arrived at the Woodland Park Zoo in 1996 from the San Diego Zoo. Upon his arrival, Nadaya was introduced to his new family, consisting of two females, Jumoke and Amanda.
Nadaya quickly became an important member of the gorilla community at the zoo. He proved an excellent father when Jumoke gave birth to their first offspring in 1999, a female gorilla named Akenji.
Over the years, Nadaya’s family grew as Amanda gave birth to three offspring. Nadaya took on the role of a dedicated and loving father to each of these infants, taking them under his care and protection.
Nadaya’s fatherly instincts were reserved for his offspring and extended to the other members of his family. He had a close bond with Amanda’s youngest infant, Yola, often seen playing with and cuddling her.
Nadaya’s behavior towards his offspring and family was loving and nurturing, but he also showed responsibility toward them. He took it upon himself to teach and guide his offspring, teaching them essential survival skills and social interactions.
Nadaya’s dedication to his family extended to his partnership with Jumoke. Their bond was based on mutual respect and trust, and they spent considerable time grooming each other and taking care of their offspring together.
Visitors at the Woodland Park Zoo can observe Nadaya and his family in their naturalistic exhibit. In this lush and forested enclave, they can play, climb, and interact with each other.
In a time whenthe gorilla population is facing the threat of extinction, Nadaya and his family serve as an example of the importance of family bonds and the role of fathers in tprotecting and nurturingtheir offspring.
Nadaya’s dedication to his family has made him an important and beloved Woodland Park Zoo community member. His behavior and love towards his family inspire all, as it emphasizes the importance of family values and the role of males in protecting and caring for their families.
In conclusion, Nadaya’s existence at Woodland Park Zoo reminds us of the importance of family and the significance of a father’s presence in the upbringing of their offspring. His actions and dedication exhibit just how essential family bonding is for the progression of the species. Nadaya and his family truly represent how love and nurturing can make a significant difference in the protection and development of a species, highlighting the importance of conservation and understanding of endangered species like the western lowland gorilla.
