{"id":193022,"date":"2026-05-15T05:36:16","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T05:36:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/193022\/"},"modified":"2026-05-15T05:36:16","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T05:36:16","slug":"boston-and-pittsburgh-are-making-a-trade-these-are-the-gorillas-who-will-be-swapped-between-cities-boston-25-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/193022\/","title":{"rendered":"Boston and Pittsburgh are making a trade. These are the gorillas who will be swapped between cities \u2013 Boston 25 News"},"content":{"rendered":"

BOSTON \u2014 Call it the trade of all primates. <\/p>\n

Social media was abuzz on Thursday as Boston\u2019s Franklin Park Zoo prepares to trade gorillas with the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium.<\/p>\n

Frankie, the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium\u2019s resident 7-year-old male western lowland gorilla, will soon begin a new chapter in Boston. <\/p>\n

In return, Pittsburgh will give a wild welcome to a silverback from Boston\u2019s Franklin Park Zoo, 33-year-old Little Joe. <\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe will be moving to his new home soon. The Zoo is also preparing to welcome Frankie to Franklin Park Zoo soon,\u201d the Franklin Park Zoo said in a statement on Thursday. \u201cGuests can visit Franklin Park Zoo this weekend for a last chance to see Little Joe!\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Little Joe (Zoo New England)<\/p>\n

The trade is part of the American Association of Zoos & Aquarium\u2019s Gorilla Species Survival Plan, zoo officials said. Both moves were designed to provide a healthy, genetically diverse population of critically endangered gorillas in human care.<\/p>\n

Commenters on social media have turned the upcoming gorilla trade into sports-themed fun. <\/p>\n

A commenter on X posted what appears to be an AI-generated photo of two gorillas facing each other and swapping sports team jerseys from each city.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel like Boston needs to add at least 2 draft picks to the deal since their gorilla is 33,\u201d @DaJordanIverson commented on X.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Boston and Pittsburgh are making a trade. These are the gorillas who will be swapped between cities (X.com)<\/p>\n

\u201cGood experience for the Pirates to bring Little Joe on board, but Frankie could be part of that Red Sox rotation for many years to come,\u201d @AstrosFansUK commented on X.<\/p>\n

\u201cWow. Absolute fleece by Pittsburg. If Boston doesn\u2019t win it all this year is this the worst trade in zoo history?\u201d commented @ColdOne6545 on X.<\/p>\n

Frankie was born at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium in 2018 to our female Moka, zoo officials said. He is a favorite among keepers, who describe him as having \u201cgood vibes \u2013 playful and chill.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Frankie (Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium)<\/p>\n

\u201cAt the fellow AZA-accredited Franklin Park Zoo, Frankie will join a newly formed bachelor group with two other male gorillas of his size and age,\u201d Pittsburg Zoo officials said. \u201cThis mimics gorilla social groups in the wild where young males leave family groups and form bachelor groups.\u201d <\/p>\n

Meanwhile, in Pittsburgh, Little Joe will join the zoo\u2019s family group as a silverback, zoo officials said. <\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe, a beloved resident at Boston\u2019s Franklin Park Zoo, is described by his keepers as \u2018curious, intelligent, and gentle,\u201d zoo officials said. \u201cHe gets along well with other gorillas and unrelated babies and is a quick learner \u2013 especially good at figuring out how to get food out of puzzle feeders.”<\/p>\n

Each individual animal differs in the amount of time it takes for an introduction, zoo officials said. <\/p>\n

\u201cGiven the intelligence of a gorilla, personalities, and group dynamics we will be working at their pace and comfort level as to when it will be appropriate to introduce them,\u201d Karen Vacco, Assistant Mammal Curator at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, said in a statement. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe best-case scenario is four to seven weeks. During this whole time, we will be working on keeper trust,\u201d Vacco said. \u201cOnce he is comfortable with his surroundings, then we will look at physical introductions. He will have visual access to the troop during this time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Once he is acquainted with his new family, Pittsburgh Zoo guests can view Little Joe with the entire gorilla troop in their habitat at the Tropical Forest Complex, she said.<\/p>\n

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app<\/a> for breaking news alerts.<\/p>\n

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook<\/a> and Twitter<\/a>. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a92026 Cox Media Group<\/p>\n