MEMORIAL PLANS ANNOUNCED FOR IVAN THE WESTERN LOWLAND GORILLA

2012-08-30 — /travelprnews.com/ — Friends are invited to celebrate a long and remarkable life on September 8

WHO:

Zoo Atlanta has announced memorial plans for Ivan the western lowland gorilla, who died on August 20, 2012, at the age of 50. 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 ownersin his longtime hometown of Tacoma, Washington.

WHAT:

A public memorial service will be held at Zoo Atlanta on Saturday, September 8 at 11 a.m. in The Ford African Rain Forest. 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 will be located in the Zoo Atlanta Trading Company Gift Shop from August 29 through September 5.

Beloved on two coasts, Ivan had lived at Zoo Atlanta on permanent loan from the Woodland Park Zoo since 1994. Prior to his arrival in Atlanta, Ivan lived for 27 years in the B&I Circus Store in Tacoma, Wash. He is remembered with love by thousands of fans in both Atlanta and Tacoma.

WHEN:

Saturday, September 8, 2012
11 a.m.

WHERE:

Zoo Atlanta
The Ford African Rain Forest
800 Cherokee Avenue, S.E.
Atlanta, Ga. 30315

CONTACT:

Keisha N. Hines, Director of Public Relations and Communications
404.624.5980 – office
404.309.2238 – cell
khines@zooatlanta.org
Simone Griffin, Public Relations Coordinator
404.624.2809
sgriffin@zooatlanta.org

ABOUT:

About Zoo Atlanta

An accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Zoo Atlanta inspires value and preservation of wildlife through a unique mix of education and outdoor family fun. From well-known native wildlife to critically endangered species on the brink of extinction, the Zoo offers memorable close encounters with more than 1,500 animals from around the world. A slate of new up-close-and-personal experiences opened in spring 2012: giraffe feeding, permitting guests to hand-feed Earth’s tallest living land mammals, and Wild Encounters, three new behind-the-scenes adventures with African elephants, giant pandas and Komodo dragon. Other highlights include the nation’s largest collection of western lowland gorillas, the nation’s largest zoological collection of orangutans and a global center of excellence for the care and study of vanishing reptiles and amphibians. The Zoo is open daily with the exceptions of Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Keeper talks, interactive wildlife shows, education programs and special events run year-round. For more information, call 404.624.WILD or visit zooatlanta.org.

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