BY PARKS KUGLE
A closer look
Looking ahead
Andrea Pearson, gorilla manager at the San Antonio Zoo, said the gorillas are divided into a bachelor troop with three silverback gorillas named B’wenzi, Juba and Shana; and a family troop led by 25-year-old silverback Ajari. She said both troops are modeled after natu- ral behaviors, and that Ajari was scientifically selected for the family troop, using the species survival plan, or SSP, which pairs candidates for
mating across AZA member institutions. “[Ajari] was chosen because genetically and behaviorally he would do well with females,” Pearson said. Pearson noted that the three bachelors had lived together for approximately nine years at the Dallas Zoo before moving to Congo Falls. She said they will most likely remain together for the rest of their lives.
Though Congo Falls is a large habitat, the design has accounted for future expansion, including the addition of new gorillas. Inderbitzin said the zoo will use the SSP to help guide any future breeding and expansion of the gorilla troops. “As we move further into our gorilla journey and we work more closely with the AZA and the SSP, our family group [will] grow with hopefully breeding coming when we get that clearance,” Inderbitzin said. Hoover said the AZA will provide guidance to the zoo through its Gorilla SSP management group and its Gorilla Behavior Advisory Group, which consists of 15 gorilla experts. “[The AZA will] support gorillas and care staff as they adjust [to the] new space, and will be reviewing outcomes of any introduction and/ or reproduction recommendations,” Hoover said. Roth said Congo Falls has set a high bar for innovation and should be used as inspiration for future exhibits. “The next habitat should take it to the next level, and we should always be improving upon and trying to create the best opportunities, not just for the guest, but also for the animals in our care,” Roth said.
Path to Congo Falls
1990: San Antonio Zoo relocates last gorilla
March 2024: Congo Falls groundbreaking ceremony takes place
1915: San Antonio Parks Department opens the Zoo
1929: San Antonio Zoological Society is formed to assist the city in operating the zoo in Brackenridge Park
August 2025: The Ralston event space, which is located above Congo Falls, is completed
December 13, 2025: San Antonio Zoo holds official grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony
SOURCE: SAN ANTONIO ZOO/COMMUNITY IMPACT
SIERRA MARTIN/COMMUNITY IMPACT
San Antonio Zoo yearly attendance Zoo attendance this winter has increased by approximately 56% when compared to last year.
The local impact
Number of people
Roth said the new exhibit is already paying dividends for San Antonio by drawing new visi- tors with its long‑awaited return of gorillas and creating a new venue, The Ralston, which can accommodate up to 500 people and overlooks Congo Falls and the downtown skyline. “We couldn’t be happier with the success and the overwhelming feedback from the guests,” Roth said.
1.08M
2021 2022 2023
955.35K
924.32K
1.18M
2025 Dec. 13-Feb. 11 2024
1.19M
162.10K
SOURCE: SAN ANTONIO ZOO/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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