Gorilla Gazette

In 1987 a group of gorilla keepers at the Columbus Zoo conceptualized and created the Gorilla Gazette newsletter.  We recognized how fortunate we were to work at a zoo that not only listened to, but valued and backed the ideas of their keepers – many ideas which were considered quite radical 35 years ago. Through Gazette, we were committed to creating a platform for all keepers, giving voice to their decades of experience with the hope that by sharing their information it would and could change gorilla husbandry. Eventually we expanded our scope to include the voices from those who studied gorillas in the wild – another source of invaluable information.  We cannot begin to thank enough the Columbus Zoo that backed (both philosophically and financially) the initiatives that came out of the Ape House at that time – exhibit design and husbandry changes, the Gorilla Gazette, the Gorilla Workshop and the Gorilla Surrogate Program – all of which we think had a profound effect on gorilla husbandry in the intervening years. 

1987 Gorilla Keeper Staff: Beth Armstrong Charlene Jendry Adele Absi (Dodge) Diana Frisch