MSHINDI
Mshindi was born at St Louis Zoo in 1987 and arrived in Louisville in 2005. He is half-brother to Lincoln Park Zoo silverback JoJo, who also lived in here and was very popular with Louisville Zoo visitors from 2002 until his return to Chicago in 2004. As a young silverback, Mshindi is still in the process of learning social skills that will allow him to lead a group of his own. (photo courtesy of Saint Louis Zoo, Carol Weerts photographer)

JELANI
Jelani, a blackback born at Lincoln Park Zoo in 1997, arrived at Louisville Zoo in 2002. Jelani currently resides with three other blackbacks, Bengati, Kicho and Cecil. He is a laid-back individual, but enjoys rough play and daring antics at times. He enjoys the company of all of the blackbacks of the group, and he can often be seen playfully chestbeating with one hand when interacting with other group members. (photo by Kim Raymond)

KICHO
Kicho, a blackback born at Cincinnati Zoo in 1997, arrived at Louisville Zoo in 2004. He and Cecil share several relatives, including the same father. Kicho is the stockiest of the four blackbacks in the bachelor group, and can also be easily recognized by his protruding upper left canine tooth and his wall-eyes. He enjoys rough play with the blackbacks of the group, as well as playing alone. He often enjoys splashing around in one of the outdoor pools, and he also can often be found climbing the exhibits’ trees. (photo by Roby Elsner)

CECIL
Cecil, a blackback born at Cincinnati Zoo in 1998 arrived at Louisville Zoo in 2004. He and Kicho share several relatives, including the same father. Cecil is the youngest member of the all-male group of four backbacks. His lack of size and young age is compensated for by his intelligence and savvy social skills. (photo by Kim Raymond)

TIMMY
Timmy was born in the wild in 1959. Before arriving at Louisville Zoo in 2004, he lived first at the Cleveland Zoo and then at the Bronx Zoo. Timmy has helped raise his own offspring as well as young gorillas unrelated to him. A laid-back silverback, Timmy is favored by female gorillas of his group, which currently includes Paki, Helen and Demba. (photo courtesy of WCS/D.DeMello)

PAKI
Paki was born at Bronx Zoo in 1989. She arrived at Louisville Zoo in 2004 with Timmy and she currently lives with Timmy, Helen and Demba. Paki prefers the company of Timmy but enjoys interaction with both visitors at the glass and care staff. Paki is often seen sucking her finger and standing upright. (photo by Roby Elsner)

HELEN
Helen was born in the wild in 1958, then lived at Lincoln Park Zoo until her arrival at Louisville Zoo in 2002. Helen’s hair has grayed, and she has a highly wrinkled face and grizzled sideburns. She prefers her alone time, but tolerates social living with Demba. (photo by Kim Raymond)

MIA MOJA
Mia Moja was born at Zoo Atlanta in 1989 and arrived at Louisville Zoo in 2004. She is the smallest member of her group which includes Mshindi and Kweli. Mia Moja often dons scarves made of cut material that care staff gives her. (photo courtesy of Jodi Kissinger, Zoo Atlanta)

DEMBA
Demba was born at Dallas Zoo in 1970. She moved to Philadelphia Zoo in 1999, then to Louisville Zoo in 2006. She commonly carries blankets made of cut material given to her by care staff and often “talks” to her keepers by directing contentment vocalizations toward them. She currently lives with Helen, Paki and Timmy. (photo courtesy of Louisville Zoo)