Community Corner

Zoo Atlanta Sets Memorial Ceremony for Ivan

Fans of the Western Lowland gorilla who died last month are encouraged to bring cards and photos for a memory board.

by Patch Staff

has planned a Sept. 8 memorial service for Ivan, the Western Lowland gorilla who died Aug. 20 at the age of 50.

The public memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. in the Zoo's Ford African Rain Forest.

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Friends and fans are invited to share well-wishes, cards and photos for a memory board to be displayed outside Ivan’s habitat.

A drop box for those items will be placed in the Zoo Atlanta Trading Co. Gift Shop from Aug. 29 through Sept. 5.

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Ivan had lived at Zoo Atlanta on permanent loan from the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle since 1994.

Prior to his arrival in Atlanta, Ivan lived for 27 years in the B&I Circus Store in Tacoma, Wash.

Per the wishes of the family of Ivan’s original owners, and of the Woodland Park Zoo, Ivan’s remains will be cremated and returned to the original owners in his longtime hometown of Tacoma.


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