Swing by and say goodbye to gorillas Kamba and Nora
Guests invited to celebrate the beloved gorilla sisters at Brookfield Zoo Chicago before welcoming new arrivals Kamina and Zahra later this summer
Brookfield, IL—For more than a decade, guests have watched western lowland gorillas Kamba and Nora grow from playful youngsters into beloved members of the family gorilla group at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. Now, guests have just a few days to visit the sisters and say farewell before they join a gorilla group at another accredited zoo as part of ongoing conservation efforts for their species.
Born at Brookfield Zoo Chicago and raised within the Zoo’s multigenerational gorilla family, Kamba (20) and Nora (12) have helped generations of guests form a deeper connection with one of humanity’s closest relatives. Their move reflects the natural social dynamics of gorillas and supports the long-term health and genetic diversity of their species through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP). Brookfield Zoo Chicago is preparing to welcome two female gorillas, Kamina and Zahra, from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium later this summer as part of this coordinated effort.
“Guests have watched Kamba and Nora grow before their eyes—from their earliest years to exploring a brand-new habitat just last year—so we know many people feel a special connection to them,” said Kim Skelton, director of primate care and conservation at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. “Kamba is known for her calm, laid-back personality while Nora is a bold and confident gorilla with plenty of personality. Nora has recently begun testing her position within the group’s social hierarchy, so this move comes at an ideal time as she enters the next stage of her social development.”
While guests prepare to say farewell, Kamba and Nora have also been preparing for their journey. The Zoo’s animal care team has been working with the sisters through voluntary training behaviors to support a safe and successful transition, including becoming comfortable entering specialized transfer crates. Behind the scenes, caregivers are also sharing years of knowledge about the sisters—from their favorite foods and enrichment items to the quirks and personality traits that make them each unique—to help with a smooth transition and continuity of care.
“They’ve been part of our Zoo family since the day they were born and watching them become confident gorillas has been a rewarding experience for our animal care team,” said Skelton. “While it will be difficult to say goodbye, this is an exciting new chapter for the family group and for guests to learn about gorilla social structures. We're looking forward to getting to know Kamina and Zahra as they acclimate at Brookfield Zoo Chicago.”
Their departure marks the first major change to the family group’s social structure at Brookfield Zoo Chicago in more than two decades. This transition reflects the Zoo’s ongoing commitment to primate care and conservation, creating new opportunities for Kamba and Nora as well as the remaining family group at the James & Elizabeth Bramsen Tropical Forests. The family group will include silverback Jontu (29, born at the Columbus Zoo), matriarch Binti Jua (38), females Koola (31) and Ali (8)—both born at Brookfield Zoo Chicago—and later this summer will welcome Kamina (soon-to-be 12) and Zahra (8). Guests will have an opportunity to meet the new arrivals following a gradual introduction process to support their comfort and successful integration into the family group.
Kamba and Nora’s legacies will remain at Bramsen Tropical Forests long after their departure. A life-size, 3D-printed model of Nora’s distinctive heart-shaped nose is displayed in the habitat as a tactile experience that teaches guests how researchers identify gorillas in the wild. Meanwhile, Kamba is depicted in a striking sculpture with her mother Koola, created through the “Snares to Wares” initiative in Uganda. Made from wire snares once used by poachers, the artwork tells the story of former poachers turned artisans who now protect wildlife through their craft—transforming danger into beauty and providing sustainable income while helping to save species in the wild.
Western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) are listed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Habitat loss, poaching and disease continue to pose major threats to wild populations. The public can support the Zoo’s efforts to protect the gorillas’ wild counterparts by donating to its “Grow the Forests” fundraising effort at Brookfieldzoo.org/grow-the-forests.
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Media Note: Photos of all four gorillas, including Kamba and Nora from over the years, are available for download here for media use only. Journalists interested in content and interview opportunities should contact Zoo PR Manager Megan Pellock at megan.pellock@brookfieldzoo.org.
About Brookfield Zoo Chicago: Connect. Care. Conserve.
Since 1934, Brookfield Zoo Chicago has been a global leader in animal well-being and conservation, inspiring conservation leadership by connecting people with wildlife and nature. The Zoo is a private nonprofit organization that operates on 235 acres of land owned by the Forest Preserves of Cook County and is home to more than 3,500 animals representing over 500 species—including many of Earth’s most endangered. Brookfield Zoo Chicago was the first zoo in the world to be Humane Certified™ by the American Humane Society for the care and welfare of its animals, and is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums, and ArbNet. For more information, visit www.brookfieldzoo.org or follow @BrookfieldZoo on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Threads.
