April 13, 2022
A PRIME PERCH FOR PRIMATE PRESSER— On Tuesday, Mayor Michelle Wu was on hand as the Franklin Park Zoo opened its new $9.1 million outdoor gorilla exhibit, which will, for the first time, allow its gorilla clan to cavort outside. As she began speaking, the zoo’s long-time favorite gorilla, Little Joe, came over, sat down, and, by all appearances, listened intently as the mayor spoke about his new home. Seth Daniel photo
The gorilla family at Franklin Park Zoo had never been outside until this week, so Zoo-goers have never had the opportunity to see the impressive animals under blue skies. But with the opening this week of a $9.1 million Gorilla Grove habitat, the Zoo’s gorillas are headed for a summer of fun under the sun.
On Tuesday morning, Zoo personnel and elected officials were on hand to officially open the exhibit to the public.
“People that have been coming here for many years to see the gorillas have only been able to see them in the Tropical Forest, and so it’s been a long time since we’ve seen them outside,” said Malu Celli, vice president of animal care. “We have set this up to be the best possible environment that allows them to climb, forage, and explore outside.”
The new space, which was made possible by generous donors who wish to remain anonymous, features more than 360,000 cubic feet for the gorilla troop to explore. With a mix of real and fabricated trees, a waterfall, climbing vines and a multitude of built-in foraging opportunities, the gorillas will be able to traverse the space three dimensionally and guests will be able to observe the natural behaviors and social dynamics of the gorilla family.
“This is a chance for us to connect to this other world and feel connected to their family,” said Mayor Wu.
Franklin Park Zoo is home to six gorillas, including Little Joe, Kitombe (Kit), his mate Kiki and their three offspring – Kambiri, Azize, and Pablo, a male gorilla born in October 2020.
