western lowland gorilla Disney

A new leader is settling into Disney’s Animal Kingdom. A young male western lowland gorilla has recently joined the park’s family troop on Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail, taking over the silverback role after nearly three decades under the previous leader. Behind the scenes, animal care staff are guiding a slow, carefully managed introduction between him and the troop’s females, a process rooted in trust-building and supported by accredited zoos’ shared efforts to protect this critically endangered species. Here’s a look at how the introduction works, what his personality is like so far, and what guests might notice on their next visit to the trail.