My Gorilla Family at Our Rescue and Rewild Sanctuary
When I think about the word family, it’s not just humans who come to mind. At our Rescue and Rewild Sanctuary, my definition of family has expanded to include a group of gorillas who have captured my heart, challenged my patience, and taught me more about resilience than I ever imagined possible.
These gorillas are not simply animals in our care—they are survivors, teachers, and companions. They are individuals with stories of struggle, healing, and, most importantly, hope. Today, I want to share a little glimpse into their world, and what it means to live alongside them in this place of refuge and renewal.
A Home for the Forgotten
Many of our gorillas came to us from heartbreaking backgrounds. Some were rescued from the illegal pet trade, others from roadside zoos or circuses where they were never meant to be. A few were orphaned after their families were destroyed by poachers or habitat loss. Each arrival carried its own mix of fear, confusion, and trauma.
When they first arrive, their eyes tell you everything: distrust, sorrow, and sometimes even defeat. But what’s even more powerful is what happens after a few weeks, months, or years. Slowly, with time and gentle care, those same eyes begin to light up with curiosity and playfulness again. It is one of the greatest privileges of my life to witness this transformation.
Personalities That Shine
If you think all gorillas are the same, you only need to spend an afternoon here to realize just how untrue that is. Each one of our gorillas has a personality as vibrant as any person you’ll ever meet.
-
Kifo is our gentle giant, always calm and thoughtful, often sitting in quiet reflection as if he’s holding the entire history of the forest within him.
-
Amara, on the other hand, is fiery and fearless. She’s the first to explore new climbing structures, the loudest to protest if her lunch is a minute late, and the quickest to comfort a younger gorilla when they’re nervous.
-
Tano is the joker of the group. Mischievous and endlessly curious, he has a way of making even the most serious keeper burst out laughing with his antics.
These gorillas aren’t just “animals in our care.” They are individuals—beings with emotions, bonds, and preferences. They teach us daily that the line humans often draw between ourselves and the rest of the animal kingdom is thinner than most people believe.
Bonds That Run Deep
What always amazes me most is the way gorillas bond—not just with each other, but also with us. Within the sanctuary, I’ve seen them form lifelong friendships. I’ve seen them reconcile after disagreements, nurture the smallest among them, and even grieve when they lose a companion.
One of the most moving experiences I ever witnessed was when a new arrival, still trembling with fear, was slowly approached by Amara. Instead of asserting dominance, she gently sat a few feet away and waited. She didn’t rush, didn’t force. She simply stayed there until the newcomer found the courage to move closer. It was a silent moment of trust, one that reminded me that compassion exists far beyond the human world.
The Rewilding Dream
While our sanctuary is a permanent home for some gorillas who cannot safely return to the wild, others are part of our rewilding program. This is the heart of what we do: rescue, rehabilitate, and, when possible, reintroduce.
Rewilding is not simple. It requires careful preparation, assessing each gorilla’s health, survival skills, and ability to integrate into a wild troop. It also involves community partnerships to protect the areas where these gorillas will return. But when it works, when a gorilla steps back into the forest to live freely as nature intended, it feels like a piece of the world has been set right again.
That moment is bittersweet for us, of course. We love them as family, and saying goodbye is never easy. But knowing they have a chance to live wild, to climb the trees their ancestors climbed, and to raise their own young in freedom—that is worth every tear shed.
Lessons from My Gorilla Family
Living among gorillas has changed me in ways I can’t fully put into words. They’ve taught me patience—because healing takes time. They’ve taught me forgiveness—because even after all they’ve suffered, they still learn to trust again. They’ve taught me playfulness—because no matter how serious life feels, there’s always room for laughter and joy.
Above all, they’ve taught me about connection. Family isn’t defined by species, background, or blood. Family is about love, loyalty, and care. And that is exactly what I’ve found in my gorilla family at the sanctuary.
Why This Work Matters
Every day, gorillas face threats that could erase them from the wild forever—deforestation, poaching, and climate change. Sanctuaries like ours cannot solve the entire crisis, but we can be part of the solution. By offering refuge, by supporting rewilding, and by sharing these stories with the world, we help create awareness and action.
When people hear about gorillas not as abstract creatures, but as individuals like Kifo, Amara, and Tano, they begin to care. And when people care, change becomes possible.
Closing Thoughts
To me, the sanctuary isn’t just a workplace—it’s home. The gorillas are not just residents—they are family. Every day I walk through the gates, I am reminded of the privilege it is to serve them, to learn from them, and to fight for their future.
My gorilla family has been through so much, but together, we’re writing a new story. A story of rescue, of healing, of rewilding. A story that proves it’s never too late to give life back to the wild.
And I know, deep in my heart, that as long as I breathe, I’ll keep telling their story—because they deserve to be seen, to be protected, and to live wild once more.
