For the first time in more than 35 years, gorillas are back in San Antonio, settling into the San Antonio Zoo's new Congo Falls habitat and already making themselves at home. Keepers say the seven western lowland gorillas are exploring the towering climbing structures, splash pools and indoor rainforest, rounding out the long-planned opening of the two-acre space, which welcomed guests on Dec. 13.
Inside Congo Falls
According to San Antonio Zoo, Congo Falls is a two-acre, multi-level habitat anchored by the 70-foot Mays Family Silverback Peak observation tower and a 30-foot waterfall. The layout centers on three viewing habitats — the Lowland Basin, Rainforest Oasis and Gorilla Gorge — that give animals and visitors separate roaming and lookout areas.
Zoo designers say the tower and overhead paths are built so the gorillas can show off natural climbing behaviors while visitors take in panoramic views of the downtown skyline. The goal is to keep the animals on the move, not just parked in front of the glass.
Two Troops, Seven Gorillas
The new residents are split into a family troop and a bachelor troop, with three females and four males transferred from AZA member institutions, as reported by Axios. Zoo Atlanta confirmed that Andi, Merry and Anaka moved to San Antonio under the Gorilla Species Survival Plan, while the rest of the group includes Ajari, a 25-year-old silverback, and three bachelor males from the Dallas Zoo.
Zoo staff say the social split between a family group and a bachelor group mirrors natural gorilla dynamics and is designed to support both breeding potential and long-term welfare for the animals.
Habitat Design And Animal Care
Animal care staff say Congo Falls layers natural forage, built-in medical spaces and enrichment devices to keep the gorillas mentally and physically engaged. Keepers regularly scatter food and tuck treats into puzzle feeders and hoses so the apes have to work a bit for their snacks.
Community Impact reported that designers planted more than 260 trees and plants across the three habitats and installed edible browse and specialized feeding features to mimic natural foraging. Staff say they will keep rotating enrichment items and closely watching social interactions as the gorillas settle into their new routines.
Conservation And Oversight
The project is coordinated with the Gorilla Species Survival Plan and related Association of Zoos and Aquariums programs to prioritize genetics, welfare and conservation outcomes, according to Gorilla SSP materials. Western lowland gorillas are classified as critically endangered, per the World Wildlife Fund, and conservation groups say coordinated transfers among accredited institutions support breeding, research and field conservation efforts.
AZA advisors and Species Survival Plan managers will continue reviewing introductions and any future recommendations for reproduction or group changes as the Congo Falls population evolves over time.
Visitor Notes And What's Next
Congo Falls sits beside The Ralston event venue and was designed with room for future expansion, including space for additional gorillas, according to the zoo. Officials say the exhibit is already drawing new visitors and will serve as a focal point for education and fundraising tied to conservation in gorilla range countries.
Tickets and visitor information are available from the San Antonio Zoo for anyone planning to check out the new neighbors.
