Ape-ril School Vacation Week-FPZ
Franklin Park ZooApril 18 - 25
Celebrate Ape Awareness Month at Franklin Park Zoo! 🦍
Included with Zoo admission—members are free!
During APE-ril School Vacation Week, guests of all ages can learn about western lowland gorillas and how we can all work to help protect this critically endangered species. Every day brings new activities, from bubble making and conservation stations to gorilla bingo, face painting, arts & crafts, and animal chats.
This vacation week is even more special as we invite guests to wish Little Joe well as we prepare for his move. Per a breeding recommendation from the Gorilla Species Survival Plan (SSP), Little Joe will move to another zoo accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in the coming months. We hope he will be successful in starting his own family someday. In the meantime, come say goodbye to our silverback gorilla, sign a going-away card and attend a special education chat all about Little Joe.
Daily Activities:
Ape-ril 22
Celebrate Earth Day with a fun-filled day of hands-on activities and special goodbyes for Little Joe gorilla! 🌎 🦍
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.: Tree Giveaway and Scavenger Hunt (Giraffe entrance)
We’re inviting local residents of all ages from Dorchester, Roxbury and Greater Boston who have signed up to receive a free tree to pick up their sapling. In partnership with Neighborhood Forest, we’re helping expand tree canopy across these neighborhoods—one backyard at a time.
Don’t miss the iNaturalist table—explore local wildlife, share your observations, and discover the incredible diversity of plants and animals around us. You could win a prize!
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.: Arts & Crafts (Gorilla Grove, weather permitting, or indoor Tropical Forest)
- Get creative with Earth Day-themed crafts
- Dive into interactive planting experiences
- Explore pollinator stations and learn how you can be a planet protector
- Feel festive with face painting
- Discover your “bee name”
Throughout the day, families can also take part in a special Little Joe farewell experience:
- Create heartfelt cards
- Enjoy a Little Joe-themed scavenger hunt adventure
- Visit a touching photo display honoring years of memories of Little Joe.
It’s a day of creativity, learning, and celebration you won’t want to miss!
10:00 - 11:00 a.m.: Gorilla Conservation Discovery Station (Tropical Forest)
Join our education team to learn about western lowland gorillas, explore biofacts up close, and discover how you can help protect gorilla habitats by recycling your small electronics through our “Gorillas on the Line” initiative.
11:00 – 11:30 a.m.: Lion Chat (Kalahari Kingdom)
Get to know one of the most iconic animals in the animal kingdom, the African lion, and learn how Zoo New England is supporting carnivore conservation efforts in Tanzania.
1:00 p.m.: "Make and Take" Seedling-Planting Station
Stop by our brand-new greenhouse, located across from the Outback Trail habitat, to plant your very own redbud or dogwood seedling. Take it home and watch it grow as a special way to celebrate Earth Day!
This year’s Seedling-Planting Station is made possible through the generous support of Wegmans, our Community Partner committed to growing a greener, healthier future for families across New England🌱
1:00 – 2:00 p.m.: Gorilla Discovery Station (Tropical Forest, by the clouded leopard habitat)
Learn more about our gorilla troop and participate in gorilla-themed table games and activities.
1:30 – 2 p.m.: Giraffe Chat (Giraffe Savannah across from playground)
Join us for a chat about the world's tallest land mammal and how you can help protect them in the wild.
2:00 p.m.: Gorilla Chat and Forage Feed (Tropical Forest)
2:30 – 3:00 p.m.: “Who Am I: Little Joe Edition” (Tropical Forest)
Join us for a fun, family-friendly chat about Little Joe and our gorilla troop, hear about their unique personalities and stories. Discover how gorillas use their skills in the wild and learn simple ways we can all help protect this majestic species.
You can help!
