Atlanta's Iconic Ape: The Life of Willie B.

At the time of his death at Zoo Atlanta in 2000, Willie B. was arguably the most famous gorilla in the world. Locally, he was an icon with more than 8,000 people in attendance at his memorial service conducted by Atlanta's Mayor, Reverend Andrew Young. Zoo Atlanta's reform President/CEO, Georgia Tech Professor Terry Maple, was responsible for Willie B.'s transformation into a successful silverback. In a phrase, Professor Maple freed Willie B. to live in an urban Eden, the Ford African Rain ...