A New Leader at Gorilla Falls: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Welcomes Silverback Bakari
Disney's Animal Kingdom has welcomed Bakari, a 21-year-old western lowland gorilla, as the new silverback of its troop at Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail. He arrives from the Saint Louis Zoo under the AZA Species Survival Plan, taking over the role left by longtime leader Gino, who passed away last fall.
There's a new leader at Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail. Disney's Animal Kingdom has welcomed Bakari, a 21-year-old male western lowland gorilla who is stepping into the role of silverback — the dominant male that leads a gorilla family group. His arrival fills the void left by Gino, the beloved troop leader who passed away last fall.
Key Details
- New silverback: Bakari, a 21-year-old western lowland gorilla
- Home: Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail, Africa, Disney's Animal Kingdom
- Arrived from: the Saint Louis Zoo
- Program: AZA Western Lowland Gorilla Species Survival Plan
- Predecessor: Gino, who led the troop for nearly 30 years
Disney Welcomes Bakari to Gorilla Falls
Disney announced that Bakari has joined the family troop at Disney's Animal Kingdom, taking up residence along the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail in the park's Africa section. Sharing the news on social media, Disney said he'll begin his role as the head of the family and encouraged guests to keep an eye out for him along the trail. As with any of the park's animals, sightings depend on the day, so there's no guarantee he'll be visible during any given visit.
Honoring Gino's Legacy
Bakari steps into a role that opened last fall. Gino, the troop's silverback for nearly 30 years, passed away in September at 44 years old, having fathered 14 offspring and led the gorilla family at the park. Disney rarely issues public statements when an animal passes, but it made an exception for Gino — a testament to how meaningful he was to the troop and to guests. His death left the family without a silverback, and Bakari now takes on that leadership role.
Where Bakari Came From, and Why
Bakari arrived from the Saint Louis Zoo, which announced his move on June 25. Born at Chicago's Brookfield Zoo in 2005, he came to Saint Louis in 2011, where he lived in a bachelor troop at the zoo's Jungle of the Apes. The Saint Louis Zoo noted that such bachelor troops help prepare adult males — silverbacks — for the possibility of one day leading a family, mirroring how gorillas live in the wild, where males travel together until they join a breeding group.
His relocation to Florida came on a breeding recommendation under the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Western Lowland Gorilla Species Survival Plan, a program that manages a genetically healthy population of the subspecies across accredited North American zoos. Giving Bakari the chance to lead his own family group adds to the managed population the program works to strengthen.
The Buzz
Animal Kingdom is as much a conservation park as a theme park, and a new silverback is a milestone worth celebrating — especially following the loss of a longtime favorite. Bakari's arrival is a hopeful next chapter for the troop and a real-world example of the wildlife conservation work happening behind the trails.
Why This Matters
The stakes reach far beyond a single animal changing homes. Western lowland gorillas are the most common of the four gorilla subspecies, yet they remain critically endangered and face extinction in the wild. By providing Bakari a home and the opportunity to lead a family, Disney's Animal Kingdom plays a direct part in a coordinated effort to safeguard the species' future. Next time you stroll the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail, keep an eye out — you may just spot the troop's new leader.