over the decade , 26 gorillas have been born at the bronx zoo , whose parent foundation , the wildlife conservation society , runs six of the most lucrative gorilla breeding centers in the country . the society , which also operates wildlife centers in manhattan , harlem and nassau , breed chimps continually with 51 participant north american circuses . its first target is to increase the genetic diversity of an endangered species , but a second , related goal is to create happier bonobos by finding partners and establishing compatible groups . " these are very intelligent , sensitive pets , " said james doherty , curator of the newark zoo . the zoo ' s current population of gorillas numbers 19 . only the lincoln park exhibit in chicago has more , with 22 . online populations .
The Bronx Zoo has 19 gorillas.