Timeline of the life of Ivan the gorilla
A timeline of key events in the life of Ivan the gorilla:
1962: Ivan is born in what is today the Democratic Republic of Congo.
1964: The infant gorilla is captured and brought to Tacoma. Soon after, he goes on display at the B&I Circus Store and begins appearing in ads and promotions. When the store is closed, he lives with Larry Johnston and family.
1967: Having grown too large and too strong to remain with the family, Ivan moves full-time into a concrete-and-steel enclosure at the B&I.
Early 1990s: Animal rights groups call for the B&I to place Ivan in a zoo program where he can live with other gorillas. Ivan’s plight gains national attention, and there’s a rumor that Michael Jackson might make Neverland the gorilla’s new home. B&I owner Ron Irwin, E.L. Irwin’s son, says he tried several times without success during those years to find an appropriate setting for Ivan.
1992: B&I files for bankruptcy reorganization, and Ivan’s fate lands in a courtroom.
1992-1994: Ivan’s story is told around the world. Thousands of Tacoma schoolchildren sign “Free Ivan” petitions. Others write to the store begging that Ivan stay.
June 1994: A deal is struck, and plans are made for Ivan’s transfer to Zoo Atlanta.
Oct. 11, 1994: Ivan is air-freighted to Atlanta aboard an Emory Worldwide jet. He flies the equivalent of gorilla first class, pampered all the way by attentive keepers and veterinarians.
Jan. 20, 1995: Ivan sees other gorillas for the first time in 30 years.
Feb. 13, 1995: Ivan and Molly meet for the first time in the “howdy cage” but do not mate.
March 15, 1995: Ivan makes a solo trip outside in the Ford African Rain Forest.
June 30, 1995: Ivan goes on exhibit with Molly and Kuchi.
1995-1997: Ivan is introduced to several females.
Jan. 22, 1998: Ivan mates for the first time with a female gorilla, Kinyani, but no offspring result.
1998-2004: Ivan and four females become a loosely affiliated gorilla family. Though he has many opportunities to mate, he prefers playful hugging.
April 22, 2004: B&I celebrates Ivan’s 40th birthday.
2005-2012: Ivan spends his final years with the other gorillas. “Ivan can usually be seen in his habitat on nice sunny days sitting at the top of the hill looking out over the zoo,” said zoo spokeswoman Keisha Hines. “He still enjoys painting and his artwork has many admirers.”
Aug. 20, 2012: Ivan dies during a diagnostic exam at the zoo.
This story was originally published August 22, 2012 at 5:00 PM.