15 receiving great care in their new home, where they continue to live together.” Animal care staff, like Jesue, grew to know the half-brothers quite well over the years. Jesue describes Chip as “tough, quiet and very serious,” Kongo as “a very-laid back leader,” and Pende as having “a goofy personality” and loving to walk on his hind legs. The three gorillas called the Detroit Zoo home from 2003 to 2023, and they are one of the longest-running successful bachelor groups in the Gorilla SSP’s history. These types of bachelor groups, which occur both in the wild and in zoos, are vital to male gorillas who need a home outside of a traditional family group. “For the past 20 years, the DZS has not only provided a home for Chip, Kongo and Pende, but by taking in a bachelor group, we also helped facilitate the Gorilla SSP by making space for other zoos to grow family groups and ensure the growth and stability of the gorilla population within the SSP,” Jesue says. Now that the brothers have moved to their new home, the DZS will continue to work with the Gorilla SSP and aid in other ways, including welcoming a new gorilla group featuring one male and three females. We miss them so much, but we know they are receiving great care in their new home, where they continue to live together.
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