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Where does a 450-pound gorilla live?
Answer: No one knows, at least for now
January 8, 1998
King
Web posted at: 2:38 p.m. EST (1938 GMT) -------------------
In this story: --------------MIAMI (CNN) -- A "King"-size dispute over where a 450-pound gorilla should live remained deadlocked on Thursday. Animal rights activists want King moved from his cramped cage at Monkey Jungle. But the Miami tourist site says the 28-year-old West African silverback isn't going anywhere.
Activists, including primate expert Jane Goodall, believe King should live among other gorillas at Zoo Atlanta in a habitat that's more suitable than his 30-by-40 foot concrete cage.
"Let that gorilla go where he can find some happiness among others of his own kind," she said.
On Wednesday, the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida and the Progressive Animal Welfare Society presented Monkey Jungle with a petition signed by 7,000 people requesting King be moved.
New home in the works
Monkey Jungle's owner, Sharon DuMond, says she understands the concerns. But, she adds, the tourist attraction has had difficulty bouncing back from financial losses suffered when Hurricane Andrew hit in 1992.
Monkey Jungle hopes to create a new 15,000-square foot habitat for King adjacent to his current home with the help of the petitioners and local businesses in Miami. At least $150,000 is needed.
Once it is complete, DuMond hopes a zoo will give Monkey Jungle a female gorilla to keep King company.
"Trust me, King is not going to Atlanta or anywhere else for that matter. We'll do it with or without outside help," said Frank Rubino, a lawyer who represents Monkey Jungle.
Atlanta alternative offered
King's current handlers say the cranky gorilla never fully adjusted to his arrival at Monkey Jungle several years ago.
The Atlanta zoo has successfully received two other once-isolated gorillas Because circus trainers who owned him previously removed his teeth, it's unlikely he could survive with other apes, says DuMond. "Building a facility here for King, is the best thing for him," she says.
Ron Magill of Miami's Metro Park Zoo seems to agree. "By making an irrational decision, trying to force him in another situation, (it) may bring on more stress than he can deal with," he told CNN.
Zoo Atlanta, meantime, has issued an invitation for King to come north. The zoo has had success with two other once-isolated gorillas:
- Willie B., who has fathered two babies, was 3 years old when he was brought there from Africa in 1961.
- Ivan arrived three years ago, after spending about 30 years in a cage at a shopping center in Washington state.
"If Ivan can be socialized, King can be socialized and I believe gorillas are best off when they are in social situations," says Zoo Atlanta Director Terry Maple.
Ivan Animal rights activists say past promises by Monkey Jungle to fix King's home have not been met.
"He was nearly half dead when he got here from the circus," said Joe Taksel of the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida. "Maybe that was the excuse 17 years ago, but now he's being ignored."
But King's current home does not violate any health regulations, so the gorilla is likely to stay in Miami unless his landlord decides differently.
Correspondent Paul Caron contributed to this report.
Related stories:
- Goodall: gorilla's situation tragic - January 6, 1998
- Couple plans southern haven for gorillas - November 18, 1997
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