DHL Express has delivered a Western lowland gorilla named Kiburito ZSL London Zoo as part of an international breeding program forthe Critically Endangered species.
18-year-old Kiburi who travelled from Zoo Loro Parque inTenerife, was given the VIP treatment for the 1,903 miledoor-to-door journey – travelling in a custom-built crate supportedby a dedicated team of zookeepers, aircraft engineers, cargohandlers, security teams, pilots and drivers. The 193kg and 5ft 4intall silverback enjoyed an in-flight meal of nutritious leafygreens, snacked on leeks and a banana and had a refreshing drink ofcold fruit tea during his first-class trip.
Arriving in London late on Friday, November 18, Kiburi sleptover at Heathrow Airport before arriving at the Zoo at 8am thefollowing morning. A team of vets and zookeepers at London Zoo wereon hand to receive the special delivery, and after giving Kiburi acheck-up, introduced him to his new Gorilla Kingdom home.
Roy Hughes, EVP Network Operations & Aviation Europe at DHLExpress, said: “Helping Kiburi move to London has been a hugeprivilege. The logistics effort behind transporting him was no meanfeat but our team of experts, working closely with ZSL London Zooand Loro Parque, went to every length to ensure his journey wassafe and comfortable. Everyone at DHL is very invested in thisconservation move, and we look forward to seeing Kiburi enjoyinghis new Gorilla Kingdom home.”
Kiburi will lead the world-famous zoo’s current troop, femalesMjukuu and Effie, and youngsters Alika and Gernot, in the family’sGorilla Kingdom home - with hopes that the match-making effort willlead to a further increase to the gorilla population.
The exciting move was four years in the making: following thesad passing of London Zoo’s male Kumbuka in 2018, ZSL London Zoobegan the search for the perfect male to take his place, workingwith the European Endangered Species Breeding Program (EEP)coordinator for Western lowland gorillas, which holds detailedrecords on each gorilla in the program.
Kiburi will spend the next few weeks exploring the rest of hisnew Gorilla Kingdom home - which includes a lush private island,complete with hidden caves, giant jungle gym and a flowing stream –and slowly being introduced to his new troop, in time for theirfirst family Christmas.
Glynn Hennessy, Gorilla Keeper, ZSL London Zoo, said: “We’re sopleased Kiburi has joined us here at London Zoo, and are gratefulto DHL for the first class care they gave our oversized packagethroughout this carefully planned delivery. Like any blendedfamily, when getting to know each other it’s important to takething slowly, so we’ll be keeping a close eye on the troop andintroducing them to each other face-to-face at a pace that they’recomfortable with.”
ZSL London Zoo’s Zoological Operations Manager Dan Simmonds, whooversaw the move, added: “Western lowland gorillas are sadlydeclining in the wilds of central and western Africa and facethreats from poaching, disease, deforestation and climate change.ZSL is working to protect the species at ZSL London Zoo by takingpart in this vital global breeding program, while investigatingwildlife diseases at ZSL’s world-leading Institute of Zoology,working with partners in the field to strengthen wildlifeprotection and surveillance, and empowering local communities tocombat wildlife crime. In time we hope to hear the pitter patter oftiny gorilla feet once again in Gorilla Kingdom – adding to thedwindling population numbers of this Critically Endangeredspecies.”