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Gorillas Find New Home in China After Epic Journey
4 Jul
Summary
- Four gorillas relocated from the Netherlands to Nanjing's Hongshan Forest Zoo.
- Zoo redesigned habitats to mimic African rainforests for animal welfare.
- An internet-famous monkey, Dudu, became the zoo's popular IP.
In February 2025, four gorillas arrived at Nanjing Hongshan Forest Zoo from the Netherlands, settling into a habitat meticulously designed over a decade of international cooperation. This move was inspired by a 2015 seminar emphasizing the critical role of gorillas in Africa's ecosystem.
The zoo, which attracts over six million visitors annually, prioritizes animal welfare, rescue, and conservation research. Director Shen Zhijun stated the goal is to bridge the gap between nature conservation and daily life, fostering emotional connections through natural animal behaviors.
One of the zoo's popular residents, a white-faced saki monkey nicknamed Dudu, has become an internet celebrity, leading to merchandise sales and further promoting the zoo's reach online. His image is now a successful IP for the facility.
Japanese-American singer Mika Hashizume visited the zoo in August 2025, sharing his positive experience online. The zoo's transformation aims to be a genuine habitat, moving away from mere animal display and performances.
