Wild mammals
Rescuers seek companion for isolated gorilla in Gabon
After decades without peer contact, an adult ape at a Gabonese sanctuary shows signs of chronic distress as caretakers search for a compatible partner.
Reported by BBC News · · 1 min read
Caretakers at the Lekedi Foundation sanctuary in Gabon are attempting to locate a companion for Jojo, an adult male gorilla who has lived without contact from his own species since early infancy. Captured by poachers who killed his family group, the ape endured roughly a decade confined inside a small cage at a commercial zoo before arriving at the sanctuary grounds in 2015.
Jojo represents one of thousands of primates impacted by illicit trafficking across Africa. Data from conservation networks indicates that over 6,000 primates entered global commercial trades between 2000 and 2023, leaving surviving young animals heavily traumatized. While wild gorillas typically spend up to nearly two decades surrounded by family, Jojo grew up in absolute isolation from other apes.
At the sanctuary, Jojo frequently seeks attention from human handlers by offering gathered foliage in exchange for edible treats and calling out to departing visitors. However, primatologists examining his behavior report that decades of solitude have generated chronic physiological strain. Thermal scans of his face demonstrate consistent chilling around the nose, indicating an overtaxed stress response system that fails to reset.
Finding a compatible partner remains complicated. Specialists point out that while roughly a third of mature male gorillas naturally roam on their own in the wild, enforced solitude from infancy causes profound emotional harm. Wildlife caregivers who rehabilitate young apes usually integrate them into groups promptly so they can adopt normal social behaviors, but Jojo is already fully mature.
Sanctuary managers have approached accredited zoos about transferring a suitable ape, but international regulations for moving captive primates are designed around breeding programs rather than social welfare needs. Some conservationists worry an introduction could introduce fresh stress, yet his team remains hopeful that the right companion could ease his long-standing distress.
