Staff at the Lekedi Foundation sanctuary situated in Gabon are attempting to find a partner for an adult male gorilla named Jojo, who has stayed without the company of other gorillas ever since his transfer from a private zoo.
Jojo was captured in the wild when he was less than a year old and sold to a private zoo, where he spent almost all of his childhood in a small cage and was isolated from other gorillas.
He stepped onto grass for the first time in 2015 at the age of 11. Even though more than ten years have elapsed, he remains without any fellow gorillas or same-species companions at the Lekedi Foundation sanctuary in Gabon.
Sanctuary Isolation and Behavioral Signs
Head caretaker Maxe Anakle Makaba said that Jojo actively seeks human interaction, including collecting leaves to exchange for treats. Eric Viyom, the director of the sanctuary, observed that when familiar women visit his enclosure and then depart, Jojo produces vocalizations that wild adult males employ to summon females, indicating that the primate experiences loneliness.
Gillian Forrester, who studies the psychology of great apes, described Jojo’s situation as one of the most severe examples of isolation she has seen. Using a thermal imaging camera, the researcher recorded that the gorilla exhibits a persistently cold nose, which may indicate an impaired bodily response to stress.
Challenges in Finding a Companion
Sanctuary caretakers are considering placing another rescued animal or a zoo-born gorilla with him. However, moving an animal from an accredited zoo would be a decision for an international committee, which would have to consider genetics, health status, and the compatibility of the individuals.
Introductions would be carried out gradually, including through objects carrying the scent of another gorilla. A number of specialists warn that this kind of endeavor might subject Jojo to extra strain, given that he has already grown to be an adult. Discussions between researchers and accredited zoos regarding potential animal transfers have stalled.
“there aren’t clear processes in place to do these kinds of trans-locations,” said Dr Katie Fawcett, a specialist at the Grace Center.
The Goal of Release
Returning to nature is the ultimate goal of Jojo’s caretakers. The bonds between gorillas – what we would call friendship – is key to their society.
“essential” for an animal to form social relationships to be considered for release into the wild, Fawcett said.
A big part of a gorilla’s normal social life is “just sitting together quietly sharing space”, an experience Jojo has never been given the opportunity to have with another gorilla.