Zoo Miami's silverback lowland gorillas, Shango and Barney, are slated to soon make a significant journey north to Brookfield Zoo in Chicago. As reported on Instagram, the brothers, aged 36 and 31 respectively, underwent an extensive round of medical tests this past Friday to ensure their readiness for the transfer. The exams included standard check-ups like blood work, X-rays, and overall physical assessments, and were complemented by dental cleanings and cardiac ultrasounds.
The medical procedures, as stated by CBS News Miami, also involved more specialized tests such as tuberculosis screenings and vaccinations for rabies and tetanus. The Zoo Miami team, headed by Associate Veterinarians Dr. Marisa Bezjian and Dr. Nicholas Buscaglia and overseen by Chief of Animal Health Dr. Gwen Myers, expertly conducted the assessments. Aiding in this cross-disciplinary effort were healthcare professionals like human cardiologist Dr. Ken Zide and his team, who were instrumental in ensuring the gorillas' heart health.
Both Shango and Barney have been given the all-clear to proceed with their move to the Windy City. They are said to be in good health and have recovered fully from the medical exams. These findings guarantee they are fit to be the founding members of the first bachelor troop at Brookfield Zoo's James and Elizabeth Bramsen Tropical Forest, as affirmed by Zoo Miami's communications. This move is part of a broader strategy directed by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan, with the goal of promoting conservation and enhancing public awareness of the precarious status of western lowland gorillas.
The significance of Shango and Barney's relocation extends beyond the bounds of this species' preservation efforts. Their move will coincidentally usher in a period of renovation for Zoo Miami's great ape habitat to align with updated Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission regulations. This period of transformation signifies the first absence of gorillas at the facility in over four decades, Zoo Miami stated in a social media post. Patrons of the zoo are encouraged to visit and bid farewell to the primates prior to their departure at the end of May.
