Willie B.
Willie B. was the second gorilla known by that name at Zoo Atlanta. The previous Willie B. had died aged 3 shortly before the better-known successor was purchased. Both Willie Bs had been purchased from international gorilla hunter Dr. Deets Pickett of Kansas City. The second Willie B. cost $5,500 to obtain for the zoo.
Family
Willie B. fathered five offspring at Zoo Atlanta: Kudzoo, Olympia, Sukari, Kidogo, and Lulu.
Death
When he died aged 42-43, he was the oldest gorilla in the United States to have fathered offspring. Kidogo, the only male offspring, took on the name Willie B., Jr. after his father died, taking his place as the heir.
Legacy
More than 5,000 people attended the memorial ceremony held in his honor and the zoo now has a life-size bronze statue of him on permanent display outside the Gorilla habitat. His remains were cremated and 80 percent of his remains were kept in a bronze box in the bronze statue at Zoo Atlanta and the other 20 percent were flown back to the African jungle. The Atlanta Silverbacks FC soccer team was named in his honor.
See also
References
- ^ "Ambassador Willie B." Zoo Atlanta. Retrieved 2008-10-24.
- ^ "Willie B. is a star again". The Seattle Times. The Seattle Times Company. 2008-08-06. Retrieved 2008-10-24.
- ^ "Willie B. Origins" (PDF). Retrieved 2019-01-11.
- ^ "Willie B. Timeline". Zoo Atlanta. Retrieved 2008-10-24.