Overview
- Zoo New England announced Tuesday that Little Joe, 33, will move in the coming months to an Association of Zoos and Aquariums–accredited facility to begin breeding under the Gorilla Species Survival Plan.
- The Gorilla Species Survival Plan coordinates moves across accredited zoos to keep captive gorilla populations healthy and genetically diverse.
- Zoo staff said months of planning weighed genetics, temperament and male group dynamics before recommending Little Joe’s transfer.
- After his departure, Franklin Park Zoo will add Moke, 8, from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo this spring and a male silverback later in the year, with Pablo, 5, joining them as a bachelor group.
- Officials have not named his destination or set a date, and visitors can sign goodbye cards for Little Joe at the zoo this week.