Jojo grew up in a laboratory setting at the Institute for Animal Intelligence in San Francisco. The most successful example of their attempts to genetically engineer a super-intelligent raccoon, he spent many years making the talk show rounds, demonstrating mathematical tricks and reciting Shakespeare. The institute fell on hard times, and they were forced to close their doors. Jojo's family was moved to the San Diego Zoo, but a landmark court case (in which he represented himself) established that Jojo was a free being, and he was allowed his independence. 

Jojo was a hot property at first, and he starred in a big-budget action movie, Taking Names, opposite Ronald Hasenpfeffer. It bombed at the box office, and Jojo's star sunk as he fell out of favor with the public. Before long he was reduced to throwing three-card monte and running short cons on the streets of New York, where he was eventually arrested for petty theft. 

Dr. Gavin saw him on TV, and immediately saw the potential for Jojo to be a wonderful symbol for the power and beauty of science. Dr. Gavin made a deal with the New York parole board, agreeing that Gavin would take responsibility for Jojo, with the proviso that he be kept confined on GavinCo property for the full term of his sentence. 

Since then, Jojo has been the mascot for GavinCo Edutainment Media products, a critically acclaimed but unfortunately money-losing division of GavinCo Labs. Like Whoopie the Walrus, Jojo has been working on preparations for the opening of Whoopie World for more than a year. 

Some have questioned the wisdom of having a convicted felon as a mascot for an amusement park, even as a "second banana," but Dr. Gavin says, "Jojo has turned over a new leaf. He is, without doubt, a whole new raccoon. He's been doing wonderful work for us, and I think he's a perfect example of the triumph of the indomitable human spirit. Er…the indomitable raccoon spirit… The indomitable spirit of all thinking beings!"