Mokolo, a 30-year-old male silverback gorilla at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, experienced some dramatic changes in his life last year, both good and bad. He lost one longtime partner, and gained two others.

And the Metroparks Zoo’s scientists were in a unique position to evaluate what was going on with him.

As our guest, biologist and primate behavior specialist Austin Leeds will explain, the zoo is in the midst of a groundbreaking research project. The study aims to use hormones to better understand gorilla behavior.

These critically endangered animals are highly social. Gorillas form relationships with each other that can last a lifetime. But gorillas aren’t as outwardly demonstrative as other primates, like chimpanzees. That can make it challenging to interpret their actions and state of mind.

So the zoo’s scientists have recently begun monitoring levels of the hormones oxytocin and cortisol in gorillas here in Cleveland and at other institutions, as a window into their behaviors. Oxytocin is important for bonding, while cortisol reflects stress.

It’s part of the zoo’s ongoing efforts to improve conditions for the gorillas in its care, and to protect those remaining in the wild. That work also includes helping train scientists and conservation professionals in Rwanda – preparing them to serve on the front lines in the battle to save gorillas from extinction.

Austin Leeds is earning his Ph.D. in biology from Cleveland’s Case Western Reserve University, and holds bachelors and masters degrees in primate behavior. He’s a graduate research associate at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, where he conducts research, recruits and trains research volunteers and works closely with the zoo’s gorillas.

Leeds is also a mentor for students in the Memoirs Program operated by the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, the University of Rwanda and the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, which we’ll talk more about during the show.

You can find more information about these projects on our website, cmnh.org/Sauropodcast. Here’s our interview.