The Gorilla Workshop was first conceptualized and hosted by the Columbus Zoo gorilla keepers (Beth Armstrong, Charlene Jendry, Adele Absi and Diana Frisch) in 1990. The workshop was a direct and natural off-shoot of the Gorilla Gazette, a publication for and by gorilla keepers begun in 1987 by the Columbus Zoo gorilla keepers. The intent of the Gorilla Workshop was to give voice to the unique and specialized experiences of gorilla keepers in the hope of changing the husbandry culture thereby improving the lives of captive gorillas. Subsequent Gorilla Workshop hosts have included the Milwaukee County Zoo (1992), Pittsburgh Zoo (1997) followed by the Calgary Zoo in 2004 and the Paignton Zoo in 2006. Many changes and improvements have been made over the last 16 years and it is our hope that the passion of those that care for gorillas on a daily basis both in captivity and in the wild will continue to inspire each of us through the Gorilla Workshop format.

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