Groundbreaking for new gorilla structure
she was ready to be with her new
family group relatively early on. The
transition went smoothly; Bandia
was already familiar with silverback
Casey from Audubon and shortly
after being reintroduced, she was
taking his food and initiating play.
Paki also accepted her new female
family member and they were soon
eating and spending time in close
proximity.
Ultimately, the plan is that
Casey’s family group will include
one-year-old Kindi and surrogate
mother Kweli. Our 29-year-old
silverback Mshindi, father of Kindi,
was moved to the Cincinnati Zoo at
the recommendation of the west-
ern lowland gorilla Species Survival
Plan. (Read more on Mshindi’s move
in the fall 2017 issue of Trunkline
at LouisvilleZoo.org/Trunkline.) As
Kindi and Kweli join the introduc-
tions, the family may be off-exhibit
periodically so be sure to check
LouisvilleZoo.org/notices for the
updated exhibit schedule for Kindi.
New Places to Explore
Another big change occurred in
Gorilla Forest during October — the
construction of a new climbing
structure in the outdoor habitat
area. The gorilla structure concept
was a collaboration between Gorilla
Forest Supervisor Jill Katka; As-
sistant Director of Conservation,
Ramp team begins to build
Education and Collections Steve
Taylor; and Louisville Zoo Director
John Walczak. The idea was that
the new structure would resemble
an abandoned gorilla research
station that gorillas had reclaimed
as their own — one that included
many platforms with lots of oppor-
tunity for climbing and exploration
to provide shade and enrichment.
“Adult gorillas need different levels
in which they establish their private
spaces to rest,” Katka explained.
The new climbing structure was
built by the United Auto Workers
(UAW) 862 Ford Ramp Team. The
Ramp Team is a group of union
members who build accessible
wheelchair ramps for senior citizens
as well as helping veterans organi-
zations, schools and churches.
The Ramp Team started helping
out the Louisville Zoo a few years
ago as part of our partnership with
the Greater Louisville United Labor
Picnic, Inc. which includes their
generosity with Zoo Kids, Inc. and
in-kind carpentry at the Zoo. When
UAW 862 heard that the pavilion
covering the carousel could use
some repairs, they spent several
days replacing and repairing the
trim work on the support posts of
the gazebo along with some repairs
The Ramp Team includes union members Nick Reid,
Riley Bayes, Jeff Redden, Gary Barr, Jerrod Pratt,
Jesse Calhoun & Travis Hunt.
Louisville Zoo Trunkline • Winter 2017 • 5