Bakari the Boss: Meet 400-Pound Silverback Gorilla Set to Lead Disney's Animal Kingdom Troop – 5 Things to Know

Florida: A new silverback has taken on a major role at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Meet Bakari, a 21-year-old western lowland gorilla weighing around 400 pounds, who is gradually settling into his new home and preparing to lead the park's family troop.

Bakari arrived at Disney's Animal Kingdom in July 2026 and is being introduced to the female gorillas through a carefully managed process. His arrival marks a new chapter for the troop after the death of longtime silverback Gino in September 2025.

1. Who is Bakari?

Bakari is a 21-year-old male western lowland gorilla and a silverback. The term "silverback" refers to the silver-coloured hair that adult male gorillas develop as they mature; it is not a separate species or subspecies.

Disney describes Bakari as calm and easygoing. One of the behaviours already noticed by his caretakers is his habit of stretching out, resting his chin on his hand and quietly observing everything happening around him.

2. He succeeds a gorilla who led for nearly 30 years

Bakari is taking over a role previously held by Gino, who was the family troop's silverback for almost three decades.

Gino was the troop's leader from around the opening of Disney's Animal Kingdom in 1998 until his death in 2025. Disney has described Bakari's arrival as both a significant transition and an opportunity for the next generation of the troop.

3. Bakari came from a bachelor group

Before moving to Disney's Animal Kingdom, Bakari lived in a bachelor group at another Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited zoo, where he socialised with other male gorillas.

Disney said joining a family troop is a natural stage for an adult male gorilla, but the transition needs to be carefully managed. Animal-care specialists are therefore allowing Bakari and the existing troop to become familiar with one another gradually.

4. His introduction to the females is happening slowly

Bakari is not being placed directly into the family troop. The gorillas are first going through a visual and sensory introduction sometimes called a "howdy".

During this stage, the animals can see, hear and smell one another through mesh barriers without direct physical contact. The care team monitors their behaviour before allowing the introductions to progress.

Disney has said the process is deliberately gradual because establishing positive social relationships is important for the stability of the troop.

5. Bakari's role goes beyond being the troop's leader

As the dominant silverback, Bakari will play an important role in the troop's social structure and could eventually father offspring.

His arrival is also connected with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan, which supports genetically diverse and sustainable populations of western lowland gorillas in managed care. Disney says pairing Bakari with the females could contribute to the long-term future of the population.

Bakari also gets a clean bill of health

Before taking on his new role, Bakari underwent a routine veterinary examination at Disney's Conservation Station.

Animal-care professionals conducted the wellness check while guests were able to observe the procedure through a viewing window. Disney said Bakari weighs about 400 pounds and was trained to accept a hand injection for veterinary procedures.

A new chapter for Disney's gorilla troop

Bakari's arrival comes as Disney is also highlighting its broader gorilla-conservation efforts. In September, the Disney Conservation Fund announced $100,000 in new grants for three organisations working on gorilla conservation, veterinary care, research and community-based protection in Africa.

For visitors to Disney's Animal Kingdom, Bakari's gradual integration offers a chance to watch the development of a new gorilla family dynamic. For Disney's animal-care teams, the priority remains helping the silverback and the existing troop adjust safely while supporting conservation efforts for the species.