Willie B. facts for kids
Willie B. was a famous western lowland gorilla. He lived at the Atlanta Zoo for 39 years. Willie B. was born around 1959 and passed away on February 2, 2000. He was named after William B. Hartsfield, a former mayor of Atlanta.
For 27 years, Willie B. lived by himself. His only companions were a television and a tire swing. But in 1988, things changed! He moved to an outdoor home. There, he could meet other gorillas and start a family. He became the "silverback," which means he was the strong leader of his gorilla group.
Willie B.'s Early Life
Willie B. was not the first gorilla with that name at the Atlanta Zoo. Another gorilla named Willie B. lived there before him. That first Willie B. sadly died when he was only 3 years old.
The famous Willie B. was bought for the zoo shortly after. He came from an animal dealer in Kansas City. The zoo paid $5,500 to bring him to Atlanta.
Willie B.'s Family and Legacy
Willie B. had five children at Zoo Atlanta. Their names were Kudzoo, Olympia, Sukari, Kidogo, and Lulu. Kidogo was his only son. After his father passed away, Kidogo became known as Willie B., Jr. He took his father's place as the leader of the gorilla family.
Willie B. was 41 years old when he died. At that time, he was the oldest gorilla in the United States to have had children.
Remembering Willie B.
Many people loved Willie B. More than 8,000 people came to a special event to remember him. Today, you can see a life-size bronze statue of Willie B. at Zoo Atlanta. It stands outside the gorilla area.
Most of his remains were placed in a bronze box inside this statue. The rest were sent back to the African jungle. The Atlanta Silverbacks soccer team was even named in his honor!
