Celebrate World Gorilla Day at Audubon Zoo

Critically endangered gorillas are the celebrities this Saturday, September 19, 2026 at Audubon Zoo. The Zoo is marking World Gorilla Day with special activities around the gorilla troop. Events take place from 10:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. near the gorilla habitat at the Zoo.

To raise awareness for these majestic animals, World Gorilla Day at Audubon Zoo will feature special chats with animal care professionals, collectable trading cards, a fun gorilla photo op, as well as unique, one-of-a-kind creations made by the gorillas themselves.

Gorillas enjoy chewing on branches or “browse” as enrichment and after stripping off the tasty leaves, the branches are left with unique marks from gorilla teeth! Animal care volunteers have taken these branches, thoroughly cleaned and sealed them, and created exclusive and “gorilla made” walking sticks, photo frames, key chains and more! These limited items will be for sale during World Gorilla Day along with other merchandise showcasing the artwork on the commemorative trading cards. All funds raised will benefit Audubon’s conservation efforts.

Audubon Zoo has four Western lowland gorillas in its troop: Okpara, the silverback, and three females Alafia, Tumani, and Praline, who guests may remember as she was born at Audubon Zoo in 1996. Western lowland gorillas are considered a critically endangered species largely due to habitat loss, poaching, and disease.

Audubon encourages guests to help gorillas in the wild by recycling old, unwanted tech devices. Rare earth minerals including coltan are used in making cell phones and other small electronic devices. These minerals are mined in parts of Africa that are also important habitat for gorillas. Recycling old tech devices can help reduce the demand for these minerals and helps preserve gorilla habitat. Drop-off boxes are located near the gorillas as well as at the Zoo’s front gate.