Dallas zoo gorilla to be sent to therapy for antisocial attitude

Patrick the gorilla may have been a favorite among Dallas zoo patrons, but he was considerably less popular among his own kind — and now the 23-year-old simian will be moving to a South Carolina zoo where he can pursue a more solitary existence. 

The 430-pound Western Lowland gorilla has lived at the Dallas zoo for well over a decade, reports the Dallas Morning News, but unfortunately was less than successful at forming tight relationships with the other apes residing in his exhibit. 

Instead of romancing and perhaps breeding with females, Patrick sneered at them and nipped them, says Reuters — indicating that the great ape may harbor some less-than-progressive sexist attitudes. 

Abandoned by his mother at a young age, Patrick was hand-reared by humans, which probably explains his lack of fondness for his own species, according to the Associated Press. 

"It's become clear that he prefers to live a solitary life," said Dr Lynn Kramer, head veterinarian at the Dallas Zoo, to the AP. "This move will allow Patrick to continue to thrive while creating an opportunity for our four remaining males to form a cohesive bachelor group."

Patrick had been housed alone, but will be unable to inhabit his bachelor pad for much longer as the Dallas zoo has acquired two new gorillas. One of the new recruits became famous in Calgary for his "breakdancing," a tough act to follow for the people-loving but cranky Patrick. 

Patrick's new residence will be the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia, South Carolina, where he will be permitted to live a less socially fraught existence.