western lowland gorilla – drinking

Scientific name: Gorilla gorilla gorilla

“Years after our first encounter in Kent, England, I travelled to Gabon in search of Djala the Western Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla), where he had recently been reintroduced into the wild. After several weeks of tracking, we finally located him, these photographs capture that moment. I was profoundly moved to see how much healthier he appeared to be.”

Djala is a silverback western lowland gorilla that Flach photographed in captivity at a sanctuary operated by the Aspinall Foundation in Kent, England. Rescued from Gabon in the 1980s as an infant, he endured the traumatic experience of witnessing the brutal murder of his entire family by poachers. At the rescue centre, Djala gradually overcame the profound traumas of his early life. After three decades of rehabilitation, he was reintroduced to the lush forests of Gabon with his new family.

Since his return to the wild, Djala has successfully bred, marking a significant milestone in his reintroduction.

Learn more about the More than Human exhibition.