LITTLE ROCK (July 6, 2026)— If you’ve been following Alice’s journey, we’re happy to share a positive update. Alice, one of the Little Rock Zoo’s female gorillas who experienced some health challenges in late 2025, continues to make steady progress with the support of her dedicated animal care team and veterinary staff.
One of the most encouraging developments has been the improvement in Alice’s skin condition, which is now almost completely resolved. She continues to receive daily monitoring and topical treatments to help maintain these positive results.
Alice’s leg injury status remains generally the same, and she continues to be closely monitored by her care team. As with many injuries, healing comes with ups and downs, but her overall progress has been encouraging. Her team evaluates her leg daily and will continue to monitor her progress as she begins physical therapy soon.
Alice’s Journey
Alice joined us in 2021 from another accredited zoo with a history of a leg injury and a recurring skin condition. Her skin condition, marked by an irritated band along her side, was often mistaken by guests as an injury caused by a fight. Her move to Arkansas was made with the hope that a change in location and climate would help improve her condition, and over time we’ve seen meaningful progress thanks to the dedication of her care teams.
Supporting Alice’s Health
Since her arrival, Alice has received comprehensive veterinary care, including medical exams, treatments, and a variety of therapies to help manage her condition. Her treatment plan includes oral and topical medications, regular laser therapy, and ongoing monitoring. Arkansas’s humid climate has also had a positive impact on her skin. While occasional setbacks still occur, her care team continually evaluates her condition and adjusts her care to support her recovery.
Prior to moving to Little Rock Zoo, Alice had a history of overgrooming her skin—a natural behavior gorillas use to help keep wounds clean. In Alice’s case, this behavior sometimes delayed healing. To address this, keepers and veterinarians have collaborated with gorilla care experts and used behavioral observations to tailor enrichment opportunities that encourage natural behaviors while reducing unnecessary grooming.
Active Participation in Her Care
Using positive reinforcement training, Alice is an active participant in her own healthcare. She takes part in at least two voluntary training sessions each day, allowing animal care staff to safely apply topical treatments and monitor her condition. She also receives enrichment throughout the day in addition to her four daily meals, providing opportunities to stay mentally stimulated, engaged, and comfortable.
Monitoring Her Leg Injury
In 2025, Alice sustained an injury to her previously injured leg. After performing an MRI, the Zoo’s veterinary team determined that conservative management, allowing time for healing while providing supportive therapies, was the best course of action rather than pursuing more invasive treatment.
Since then, Alice has continued to make encouraging progress. Although her recovery includes both good days and more challenging days, she continues to participate in training sessions, remains active within her habitat, and receives daily evaluations from her animal care and veterinary teams to ensure her treatment continues to meet her needs.
Life in the Troop
Alice’s well-being is also shaped by the social dynamics of her troop. The birth of young Beni has shifted the troop’s social structure as the females establish new relationships and rankings. These changes are a natural part of gorilla society, and the Zoo’s animal care staff continue to support Alice by providing opportunities for choice, enrichment, and positive social interactions, including strengthening her bond with her troop mates.
Looking Ahead
Alice’s recovery is a reminder that healing often takes time. While there is still work ahead, her continued improvement reflects the dedication of the Zoo’s animal care team and veterinary staff, who evaluate her condition every day and adapt her treatment as needed.
