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Celebrate Little Joe’s Birthday

Franklin Park Zoo

February 16, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

It’s Little Joe’s 33rd birthday and you’re invited to the party!

Buy General Admission Tickets

Included with general Zoo admission. No additional purchase or reservation is required for Zoo members.
All events take place inside the Tropical Forest.

🎉 Birthday Schedule of Activities

9:00–10:00 a.m. | Snack Time
• Celebrate with the whole gorilla troop as Joe’s care team serves up birthday “ice cakes” filled with fruit, peanuts and enrichment treats.
• Guests are invited to enjoy cupcakes in honor of the birthday boy (available while supplies last).

10:00 a.m. | Discovery Station
Meet the Education Team and dive into all things gorilla! Explore hands-on activities, pick up supplies for a gorilla-themed craft, and learn how you can help protect gorillas by donating used electronics to our “Gorillas on the Line” collection drive.

10:30 & 11:30 a.m. | Storytime
Join local favorite Big Joe the Storyteller in the Hippo Theater for two lively, family-friendly storytimes.

11:00 a.m. | “Introducing Little Joe” Educator Chat
Learn the story of Little Joe! Chat with an educator about his history, family tree and how he became part of Zoo New England’s gorilla troop.

12:00–1:00 p.m. | Crafts
Get creative at our craft table with hands-on activities for all ages.

1:00–2:00 p.m. | Games & Activities
Learn more about gorillas while playing fun, gorilla-themed games with the Education Team
📍 Across from the clouded leopard habitat

2:00 p.m. | Gorilla Forage Feed & Chat
Watch the gorillas enjoy a forage feed while learning more from Zoo staff.

2:30–3:00 p.m. | “Who Am I?” Gorilla Edition
Can you tell gorillas apart? Discover how conservation scientists identify individual gorillas in the wild, and try these techniques yourself!

Committed to Conservation

We're committed to protecting gorillas and their habitat. Here are some efforts we're involved in, and ways you can help, too!

Gorillas on the line...Answer the Call

In honor of Little Joe’s birthday, help gorillas by recycling your old phone or tablet. We've teamed up with Eco-Cell, a company that partners with zoos across the country, to collect used cell phones and recycle or refurbish them for reuse. All proceeds from donated devices support our Gorilla SAFE program.

Drop off your device in the collection box in the Tropical Forest, or better yet, start your own collection drive! We’ll work with your group, class, team, organization or workplace to join the recycling challenge!

Cross-River Gorilla Conservation at the Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary

We've been a longtime supporter of gorilla conservation, devoting passion, expertise and resources to the preservation of this iconic species. Through this partnership, we deepen our commitment to not only Cross-River gorillas, but to the Community Rangers who work to protect them.

AZA SAFE

Zoo New England is proud to support the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' SAFE initiative (Saving Animals from Extinction), a bold effort focused on #SavingSpecies. SAFE is a commitment by the Association's accredited zoos and aquariums to harness our collective resources, focus on specific endangered species, and save them from extinction by restoring healthy populations in the wild. 

Species Survival Plan

Zoo New England participates in the Western lowland gorilla Species Survival Plan. By sharing research and knowledge, participating institutions work together to establish guidelines that best ensure the health of captive populations, and with success, the survival of endangered species.

Just for Fun