Twenty years ago, Little Joe, a 300-pound silverback gorilla, escaped from the Franklin Park Zoo and attacked a 4-year-old girl.
WCVB Channel 5 reports that on Sept. 28, 2003, the gorilla attacked Nia Scott, age 4, and her babysitter. This kicked off a two-hour chase with police and zookeepers around the streets of Dorchester. At the time of the chase, Little Joe was a juvenile gorilla who was 10 years old. Earlier this year, he celebrated his 30th birthday. Since the incident, the Franklin Park Zoo has made several safety improvements and Little Joe still resides in the Gorilla Grove. He’s mellowed with age…don’t we all!
You can read the full story with the video here!
According to Fox 25, Little Joe had to undergo eye surgery on Thursday. You can read about that here. Is this a coincidence, or perhaps Little Joe wants to lay low on this anniversary?
Maureen Dahill is the editor of Caught in Southie and a lifelong resident of South Boston sometimes mistaken for a yuppie. Co-host of Caught Up, storyteller, lover of red wine and binge watching TV series. Mrs. Peter G. Follow her @MaureenCaught.
