Pittsburgh, Franklin Zoos Swap 2 Gorillas, Sending 33-Year-Old Little Joe for 7-Year-Old Frankie
Updated
Updated · Fox News · May 14
Pittsburgh, Franklin Zoos Swap 2 Gorillas, Sending 33-Year-Old Little Joe for 7-Year-Old Frankie
8 articles · Updated · Fox News · May 14
Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium and Franklin Zoo completed a one-for-one gorilla exchange, with 33-year-old silverback Little Joe going to Pittsburgh and 7-year-old male Frankie heading to Boston.
Frankie is expected to join a bachelor group with two other males in Boston, while Pittsburgh adds an older silverback as a veteran presence in its gorilla habitat.
Little Joe spent most of his life in Boston and carries a notable history: he escaped his enclosure in 2003 and injured a child.
The move reflects how zoos reshuffle animals to manage social groupings and long-term collection plans, pairing Pittsburgh's immediate needs with Boston's younger-building approach.
How do zoos decide which gorilla gets a family and which joins a 'bachelor pad' for its future?
After a troubled past, can a 33-year-old gorilla with a history of escaping get a true second chance in a new city?
Is trading gorillas like chess pieces the best way to ensure the survival of this critically endangered species?