Bakari the Gorilla Makes His Debut at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Bakari, a 21-year-old western lowland gorilla, has joined his new troop onstage at Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail. Disney’s Animal Kingdom welcomed the new silverback to Florida following the death of Gino. Disney announced Bakari’s arrival on Instagram:

“Now appearing on the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail…Bakari the silverback gorilla! We’re happy to share that the new leader of the family troop is settling into his home and guests are catching a glimpse of him at Disney’s #AnimalKingdom.”

Disney also shared several photos of Bakari in his new home.

Bakari previously lived at the Saint Louis Zoo. Transfers between accredited zoos are common through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan, which helps maintain healthy, genetically diverse animal populations. Western lowland gorillas are critically endangered, making troop management especially important.

We’re looking forward to meeting Bakari on our next visit. But we’ll miss Gino, a day one Animal Kingdom resident. Joe Rohde, the park’s lead designer, paid tribute to the silverback last September:

“I prefer to remember him like this, not huge and powerful, but wandering peacefully beneath the trees, a creature in the midst of his kingdom. He will be missed.”