Kwibi's Group

In August 2003, Howletts transferred a group of seven young hand-reared gorillas to TAF's project site in Gabon. Led by eldest male Kwibi, the rest of the group included Djalta, Djaltam, Kiba, Ama, Kido and Ima. Captive born but unable to be reared by their own mothers for various reasons, The Aspinall Foundation decided the best prospects for these individuals was a return to their ancestral homeland where they could live freely in the forest. After a year at the project’s nursery, where they learned essential survival skills – such as what to eat and how to behave around other gorillas in the wild - Kwibi and his group were fully reintroduced to the forest. As expected, Kwibi became the group’s dominant male, and they adapted well to life in their new home. 

Kwibi: born 03/11/98
Born to male Kouillou and female Matibi, Kwibi was Matibi’s first infant and, due to her inexperience, she didn’t know how to properly take care of him. Eventually keepers decided that it would be best if he was removed for handrearing and he spent much of his early life in the care of Damian Aspinall. As a hand-reared infant, Kwibi enjoyed a lot of attention and, like his father Kouillou, Kwibi had a mischievous streak - known for stealing anything he could from keepers.

Kwibi’s age and dominant personality made him the most likely choice as the group’s silverback, but sadly his term as leader was only brief as he has since gone missing from the group and is now presumed dead.  The team was not initially worried after his disappearance as young males often go on extended explorations in their territory. However, it is now increasingly likely that his adventures took a turn for the worse and that he is not coming back. Kwibi and Damian Aspinall were reunited after five years in an emotional scene featured in Animal Planet's 'Gorilla School'.  The special bond between Kwibi and the man who helped raise him was still as strong as ever and he will be sorely missed by many.

Djalta: born 18/06/98
A true gentle giant, Djalta is a caring and sensitive male with a quiet even-tempered personality and a tendency to look pensive at times.  After Kwibi’s disappearance, Djalta took on the role as the group’s new leader and although the group has lost two additional members (the eldest female Kiba and male Djaltam) the remaining members are in good health and appear to be doing well.

Djaltam: born 08/06/99
Every inch the mysterious loner, Djalta has never appreciated being the subject of anyone’s attention. After Kwibi’s death, Djalta left the group to pursue a life of solitude and project staff have found it extremely difficult to locate him.  After turning up opposite the project’s main camp in September last year, he has not been seen since.  However, the gorilla monitors are confident that he is still in the area as they occasionally find sign of a lone gorilla (he is the only one around), even finding fresh tracks on top of theirs from the previous day, suggesting that he is hiding when he hears people coming.

Ama (Pammy): born 31/08/00
While her face can look severe even when she is happy, Ama is a very sweet and endearing female who is known for her love of playful silliness. Small for her age, she is very loyal to her family and will quickly intervene if she feels that another member of the group is unhappy. 

Ima (Bims): born 04/02/02
Brother to Kiba, Bims is confident and playful and likes to play the fool. Curious by nature, he is always the first to check out something new or to invite play with the other gorillas, or, indeed, with staff.  A friend to all, he is the most outgoing of the group.

Souba

Souba is the only wild caught orphan in this group so she is likely to have had a very traumatic start to life. While she is a little on the shy side, she is also very curious and always interested in anything new.  As the only "outsider", Souba has integrated well into the group and seems to be especially fond of Bims as they both share a mischevious side and enjoy a good bout of rough and tumble play on occasion.