Knoxville, TN (WOKI / WVLT) Zoo Knoxville curators announcing Tuesday that Kumi, a 25-year-old female Western lowland gorilla, has moved to the Scruffy City!

She’ll join a family of six other gorillas, including silverback male Bantu, females Hope, Machi, and Kowali, and juveniles Obi and Andi.

The Zoo Knoxville team is keeping a close eye on Kumi as curators say she is still getting used to the new environment.

Western lowland gorillas are considered critically endangered. Zoo Knoxville is working with zoos around the country to keep a stable population in human care.

“If we are going to protect the species, we need to ensure we have a genetically sustainable population of gorillas that are thriving in the care of AZA-accredited zoos,” said KateLyn Miller, great apes keeper. “Kumi is genetically important, and we hope to successfully introduce her to Bantu. Her wellbeing is our top priority, and our first steps are to make sure Kumi’s transition to our group here in Knoxville is a positive one done at her own pace.”

Kumi is set to make her debut this weekend at Zoo Knoxville’s Gorilla Valley habitat.

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A man is facing multiple charges including vehicular homicide following a fatal hit and run late Monday night on Loves Creek Road.

Knoxville Police Department officials say the crash happened around 11:40 p.m. The suspect, Eliser Correra Romero, reportedly hit a pedestrian before leaving the scene. KPD says responding officers found the victim deceased on the side of the road, near the tree line.

Correra Romero was arrested a short distance from the scene; KPD says his car had damage consistent with the crash, and he was allegedly intoxicated.

He is facing several charges to include vehicular homicide due to driver intoxication.

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Young-Williams Animal Center is waiving dog and puppy adoption fees at its Division Street location as it reopens following an breakout of distemper.

The center reopened its doors today (Monday) to animal adoptions after being closed for almost a week in order for Young-Williams caregivers to keep pets and prospective pets away from each other and healthy.

“With a full shelter, it is critical to keep placing currently healthy animals – including those who have not been exposed or have been vaccinated against distemper – into homes in order to continue to control the animal populations, decrease the spread of disease and make space for those in need,” YWAC representatives said.

The Division Street location and Young-Williams Village location, located on Kingston Pike, are open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with animal quiet time slated for 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.