Ivan the Gorilla: A Journey at Zoo Atlanta

Jodi Carrigan, assistant curator at Zoo Atlanta, shares the story of Ivan, a western lowland gorilla. Ivan was born in the wild, lived as a pet, and spent 27 years at the B&I in Tacoma before moving to Zoo Atlanta. He became famous through the book 'The One and Only Ivan' by Katherine Applegate, which won the Newbery Medal and was adapted into a movie. Ivan was unique due to his human-like traits and his dislike for the outdoors. He was known for his painting skills, which served as enrichment and helped him gain recognition. Ivan lived to be 50 years old, far exceeding the average gorilla lifespan, and served as a great ambassador for his critically endangered species.

Where was Ivan the gorilla originally born?

• In a zoo in Atlanta

• In a pet store

• In the wild in Africa

• In a circus

What was the name of the book that made Ivan famous?

• Ivan the Brave

• The Great Gorilla

• The One and Only Ivan

• Ivan's Adventures

How did Ivan initially react to the outdoor environment at Zoo Atlanta?

• He immediately adapted to the outdoors

• He loved the rain and snow

• He was indifferent to the weather

• He preferred staying indoors

What creative solution was used to help Ivan adjust to the outdoor environment?

• Providing him with a raincoat

• Using burlap bags for him to step on

• Training him to enjoy the rain

• Building a heated shelter

What form of enrichment was Ivan particularly known for?

• Playing musical instruments

• Dancing

• Solving puzzles

• Painting

How did Ivan choose the colors for his paintings?

• He randomly picked colors

• He was given a pre-selected palette

• He pointed to the colors he wanted

• He used only one color

What was Ivan's favorite color to paint with?

• Green

• Yellow

• Red

• Blue

What is the average lifespan of a male gorilla in a zoological institution?

• 40 years

• 50 years

• 32.5 years

• 25 years

What does 'critically endangered' mean for gorillas?

• They are thriving in the wild

• They have a stable population

• They are at risk of becoming extinct

• They are no longer in danger

Why is Ivan considered a great ambassador for gorillas?

• He lived in the wild for many years

• He was the only painting gorilla

• He was the oldest gorilla

• He raised awareness about gorillas