World · East Asia & Pacific · 2 hrs ago
Gabon sanctuary seeks a companion for isolated gorilla Jojo
Jojo still lives alone at a sanctuary in Gabon, more than a decade after leaving a tiny cage at a private zoo.
He was taken from the wild as an infant, and the poachers who took him killed his family.
Most gorillas grow up in family groups, but Jojo spent his early years isolated and has never had gorilla companions.
His carers want to find him a gorilla companion who could live with him and form a bond, possibly another rescued or zoo-bred gorilla.
Finding a suitable animal and bringing it into Jojo’s life will not be straightforward.
Researchers studying his behaviour hope to learn how social contact could help rescued apes recover from trauma.
Jojo, a gorilla who has lived alone since being taken from the wild as an infant, is being considered for a companion at a sanctuary in Gabon.
His carers at the Lekedi Foundation hope to find another rescued or zoo-bred gorilla with whom he could live and bond.
Jojo spent almost his entire early life in a tiny cage at a private zoo before taking his first steps onto grass in 2015.
Researchers say his prolonged isolation is extreme, and his carers describe signs that he seeks social contact.
Finding a suitable companion and introducing the gorillas will not be straightforward.
- Who
- Jojo, a male gorilla, and his carers at the Lekedi Foundation.
- What
- The sanctuary is seeking a companion for Jojo, possibly another rescued or zoo-bred gorilla.
- When
- The search is reported more than a decade after Jojo first stepped onto grass in 2015.
- Where
- The Lekedi Foundation sanctuary in Gabon.
- Why
- Jojo has lived alone since he was taken from the wild as an infant, and his carers want him to have a gorilla companion.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Jojo was taken from the wild as an infant and kept alone at a private zoo in Gabon.
Jojo took his first tentative steps onto grass.
Jojo was settled at a sanctuary but still lived alone, and his carers wanted to find him a companion.
- Name
- Jojo
- Location
- Lekedi Foundation sanctuary, Gabon
- First steps onto grass
- 2015
- Age at first steps onto grass
- 11
- Estimated African primates bought or sold
- More than 6,000 between 2000 and 2023
What people are saying
He's probably the most extreme case of isolation I've ever seen in a great ape
He will even go to the trouble of gathering leaves for us to hold, so that we [trade them] for a treat – to interact with us
He definitely feels lonely