He Spent Decades Without a Family…Then Became a Father at 34

Meet Mokolo—the 400lb silverback gorilla at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo who waited 23 years to become a dad. After decades in a bachelor troop, Mokolo was given the chance to lead his own family. Now, he’s not only the father of two young gorillas, Kayembe and Kunda, but also the heart and protector of the entire troop.

In this special Father’s Day tribute, we celebrate Mokolo’s incredible journey from bachelor to best dad. Watch as he keeps the peace, lays down the law with just a look, and shows us what real gorilla leadership looks like.

Whether you're a longtime fan of the Cleveland gorilla troop or just meeting Mokolo for the first time, this heartwarming story of strength, patience, and late-in-life fatherhood will leave you smiling.

🎉 Celebrating Father’s Day with one extraordinary silverback gorilla
🦍 Kayembe (born 2021) and Kunda (born 2023)
🦍 Mokolo – the peacekeeper (born 1987)

🎥 Filmed at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, this video is perfect for anyone who loves:

📷 Filmed with: Canon R7 Camera (#ad) https://amzn.to/3YUnZVw
Lens: https://amzn.to/44fsIou

👇 Drop a comment and let us know your favorite moment—and don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more sweet animal adventures from zoos around the country!

🦍 Want more baby gorilla videos?
Check out Jameela, Kunda, and Kayembe in our growing playlist of adorable and educational gorilla content!    • Gorilla Videos  

🌍 Thanks for watching! We're Beth and Jim from @OurSweetTravels.

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🛌 Where to stay when visiting the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Kimpton Schofield Hotel by IHG - https://booking.tp.st/JonBONO5
(Very nice, pet-friendly hotel in downtown Cleveland)

🐾 Support Animal Conservation
Join an AZA-accredited zoo like Cleveland Metroparks Zoo! With 230+ zoos across the U.S., your membership supports world-class care and global conservation. Learn more at AZA.org.

🎵 Music: "Climb" by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com and "Adding the Sun" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b...

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