Home Among Giants: Inside Wilhelma’s New Great Ape House
In May 2013, Wilhelma unveiled its state-of-the-art Great Ape House, located near the elephant and giraffe habitats. After three years of construction, this modern facility was designed to meet the highest standards of care for two species: lowland gorillas and bonobos.
Based on 55 years of experience in great ape husbandry, along with current knowledge and the guidelines of the European Endangered Species Program (EEP), the result is an expansive, thoughtfully structured environment where primates thrive. Since its opening, both gorillas and bonobos have bred successfully—clear proof that the animals feel comfortable in their new home.
At a glance:
News: In 2022, Wilhelma said goodbye (for now) to its last orangutans, ending a 60-year era. The new facility, built for gorillas and bonobos, is not suited to their tree-dwelling lifestyle.
Things to know: The original great ape house, built in 1973, also housed chimpanzees. It was later dismantled and replaced by the new Terra Australis exhibit.
Designed for Social Life
The house features 2 indoor and 2 outdoor enclosures for gorillas, and 3 indoor and 2 outdoor enclosures for bonobos. These spaces can be opened or separated to suit the animals’ dynamic social structures.
– Gorillas live in harem groups where tensions may arise between maturing males and the silverback leader. Having multiple zones allows for separation when needed.
– Bonobos follow a more fluid structure called “fission-fusion,” forming large groups that split and regroup—multiple flexible enclosures are essential.
A Nursery with a View
Wilhelma also operates a temporary gorilla nursery, where baby gorillas from across Europe can be hand-raised if maternal care fails. Thanks to the smart design, these little ones can see and even interact with gorilla families through connecting windows and slides, easing future integration.
Fortunately, mother-reared births have increased, so the nursery is currently empty and now houses South American animals in the meantime.