Fredrika

Fredrika (born 5th June 1974) is a western lowland gorilla who currently resides at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. She was born on the 5th June 1974 at Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S and resided there until she was transferred to Miami-Dade Zoological Park and Gardens, Miami, Florida on the 25th August 1995. She resided at Zoo Miami until Summer 2017, when she was transferred to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo following the death of her companion, 49-year old Josephine. Fredrika’s mother was Kathryn (1963-2013), a gorilla who resided at Oklahoma City Zoo and died aged 50.

Fredrika had seven children, Ben (1985-2006), Jonesie (1991-1991), OKH-92-01 (1992-1992), Nia (born 1993), Acacia (born 1995), Moka (born 1996) and Alice (born 2002). She also has at least five grandchildren. Through Moka, Fredrika is related to fellow geriatric gorilla, Zakula (1968-2018) as Moka mated with Mrithi, Zakula’s son.

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo made a statement regarding the arrival of Fredrika, in which was said “The two incoming female gorillas were selected to create this troop based on an examination of their social experience and behavioral characteristics. The intentional social structure of multiple females and a single adult male mirrors gorilla social groups in the wild. The gorillas are in the final stages of a structured introduction process to ensure the success of the new social group. Fredrika and Kebi Moya were first introduced to each other and cultivated a bond over several weeks before being introduced to Mokolo. The group continues to successfully bond as they establish their social structure and will soon be visible in their habitat for public to meet.“

On the 26th October 2021, an infant gorilla was born prematurely at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. He is the son of Nneka (born 1998) and Mokolo (born 1987) [who is the grandson of Helen] and is nicknamed “Baby G”. As “Nneka did not show appropriate maternal care” he was adopted by Fredrika, who has since developed a strong maternal bond with him. As he was born prematurely, Baby G. contracted pneumonia and, during treatment, was separated from his troop, including Fredrika. He successfully recovered from pneumonia and was returned to his troop on the 5th January 2022. Fredrika was reportedly extremely pleased to see Baby G again and, according to the zoo, “she has barely let go of him since”.

Currently, Fredrika is one of the oldest living gorillas in North America.