Little Joe, the 400-pound western lowland gorilla and a longtime attraction at Franklin Park Zoo in Boston, is set to leave the facility to begin a new chapter focused on breeding and conservation. The 33-year-old silverback, who has resided at the zoo since 1997, will be relocated to another Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)-accredited institution as part of an international effort to help preserve the critically endangered species.

Zoo New England announced that the decision to move Little Joe came following recommendations from a panel of expert advisers tasked with managing the species’ survival. The relocation aims to allow Little Joe to establish his own troop and contribute genetically to population sustainability—an opportunity he could not pursue at Franklin Park due to family ties among the gorillas there.

Officials stated that Little Joe has coexisted peacefully with the zoo’s resident gorilla family, including Kiki, a 44-year-old female who has been at the zoo longer than Little Joe, as well as her daughters and a young male named Pablo. Due to close genetic relationships, Little Joe was never considered a suitable breeding partner for Kiki or her offspring. Zoo curator Erica Farrell highlighted the importance of both genetics and individual temperament when determining the move, stressing the need for stable group dynamics in male gorilla transfers.

While no official date has been announced for Little Joe’s departure, the zoo recently engaged local visitors, including hundreds of children, in sending well wishes through cards and drawings during the school vacation week. Visitors expressed mixed emotions about the move; some reflected on Little Joe’s long-standing presence and his interactions with guests, while others acknowledged the significance of his new role in conservation breeding.

Little Joe’s history at Franklin Park has included moments of note, most notably in 2003 when he escaped his enclosure and was tranquilized after a brief confrontation involving a child and a teenager. Since then, he has been a popular figure with staff and visitors alike.

Following Little Joe’s departure, the zoo plans to welcome two new male gorillas to Franklin Park. One is Moke, an 8-year-old male arriving from the Smithsonian National Zoological Park in Washington, D.C. The other is an unnamed silverback whose transfer is also driven by breeding program considerations. The introduction of these new gorillas is seen as positive news by staff and visitors, ensuring continued engagement with the species at the zoo.

Western lowland gorillas are native to central African countries such as the Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic, and Nigeria. Their populations face severe threats from diseases like Ebola, poaching for the bushmeat trade, and habitat destruction caused by logging and mining. The AZA’s coordinated breeding programs in accredited zoos like Franklin Park play a critical role in efforts to bolster the species’ survival. Zoo New England President and CEO Stephanie Brinley emphasized that while Little Joe will be missed, his ability to father offspring is essential for conservation success.