State Police say Arnold Milfort, 27, of Dorchester, sustained serious injuries yesterday when he climbed a fence and then fell 30 feet into a gorilla pen that had been refashioned to look like a lion's den for a movie.  Read more

Members of the Boston Police Department and Mayor Menino joined local residents at National Night Out at the Franklin Park Zoo on Tuesday. At the event, sponsored by Target, Tedeschi, and the Mayor’s Office of Emergency Preparedness, guests were treated to free zoo admission, dance performances, gospel and Latin bands, and hot dogs and drinks Also featured were information kiosks for the BPD Neighborhood Watch Unit, the Mass. Executive Office of Transportation, the Department of Correction, Neighbors for Neighbors, and the Mass. HealthNet Plan.  Read more

If the Legislature decides to override his veto of funds for the Franklin Park Zoo, Gov. Deval Patrick said his plan to keep health insurance coverage for 30,000 legal immigrants will be endangered.  Read more

A budgie, a.k.a. a parakeet: Photo courtesy Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo.  Read more

To feed a finicky giraffe with wasting disease, you need the right food and plenty of it. Beech leaves might be Franklin Zoo denizen Beau the giraffe's absolute favorite, but an invasive plant in Franklin Park called Japanese knotweed turns out to be a close second.

According to Pearl Yusuf, Assistant curator for hoofs and horns at the Franklin Park Zoo, volunteers from the Franklin Park Coalition (FPC) are helping the giant ruminant get enough of his second favorite food to save him from giraffe wasting syndrome.

"They have it and we need it," said Yusuf.  Read more

Following a wild escape in 2003, Franklin Park Zoo's infamous gorilla, Little Joe, is receiving a brand new playhouse filled with toys, trees, ropes - the works. But he won't be living in this jungle dream palace alone. Little Joe will have to share it with six primate cronies who range from two to 34 years old in age.  Read more