Bakari the gorilla undergoes medical exam at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Bakari, a 21-year-old western lowland gorilla, recently underwent a routine veterinary examination at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Florida. The medical checkup, which was observed by visitors, confirmed he is in good health as he acclimates to his new environment.

Bakari is being positioned as the successor to Gino, the troop’s longtime silverback leader who has held his position for 30 years. The transition of leadership within a gorilla troop is a significant social event, as they typically operate under a single dominant male structure.

In conjunction with Bakari’s arrival, the Disney Conservation Fund has announced $100,000 in new grants to support the protection of western lowland gorillas. The funding will be distributed among three organizations: the Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education Center, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, and Gorilla Doctors, focusing on habitat protection and population conservation in Central African forests.