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The Urban Gorilla (1991, National Geographic)

Discussion in 'TV, Movies, Books about Zoos & Wildlife' started by Crowthorne, 31 May 2015.

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  1. Crowthorne

    Crowthorne Moderator Staff Member 10+ year member

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    Came across this old 1991 National Geographic documentary this morning, thought it was really good if a little dated.

    https://vimeo.com/87866211
     
    Crowthorne, 31 May 2015
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  2. zooman

    zooman Well-Known Member 15+ year member

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    Thank you,
    I had not seen this before.
     
    zooman, 31 May 2015
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  3. Crowthorne

    Crowthorne Moderator Staff Member 10+ year member

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    Have lost count of how many times I've watched this documentary now, which looks at the world of captive gorillas through snapshots of a few individuals. I thought it would be interesting to make a list of the named gorillas from the documentary. It's interesting to note that as of October 2023, some of the gorillas featured in the documentary are still alive and breeding successfully.

    NB. Dates are in British format DD/MM/YYYY

    National Geographic documentary:

    Wikipedia page: The Urban Gorilla - Wikipedia

    Gorilla databases used:
    Gorillas Galore - Captive Gorilla Lists - Stud Book

    Gorillas Land

    Jersey Zoo
    Jambo (M)
    Stud #: 0111
    17/04/1961 (Zoo Basel) - 16/09/1992

    B+W footage of captive adult silverback, most likely
    Alfred (Bristol Zoo)
    Stud #: 1591
    c.1928 (wild) - 09/03/1948

    Or

    Guy (London Zoo)
    Stud #: 0005
    c.1946 (wild) - 08/06/1978

    Yvette Leroy Orphanage / Brazzaville Zoo Orphanage
    (There is very little information out there about Mlle. Leroy and her orphanage that I could find, so these dates are estimates based on the opening of the Aspinall-funded Brazzaville Zoo Orphanage)
    Maan (M)
    c.1986

    Djibuli (M)
    c.1989-1989

    Los Angeles Zoo
    Rapunzel (F)
    Stud #: 0847
    20/02/1984 (Cincinnati Zoo) -

    Evelyn (F)
    Stud #: 0610
    07/03/1976 - 07/12/2022

    Jim (M)
    Stud #: 0966
    01/08/1987 - (Jacksonville Zoo)

    Tzambo (M)
    Stud #: 0440
    c.1972 (wild) - 10/04/1999

    San Diego Zoo
    Destruction of the 1960s concrete arena and build of new habitat (no named gorillas)

    Zoo Atlanta
    Willie B (M)
    Stud #: 0115
    c.1958 (wild) - 02/02/2000
    (no other named gorillas)

    B & I Shopping Centre
    Ivan (M)
    Stud #: 0710
    c.1964 (wild) - 20/08/2012 (Zoo Atlanta)

    Burma (F) (not named in the documentary, but info found on one of the websites dedicated to Ivan's story)
    c.1964 - 1964

    Woodland Park Zoo
    Nina (F)
    Stud #: 0330
    c.1968 (wild) - 22/05/2015

    Columbus Zoo
    Susie / Pongi (F)
    Stud #: 0269
    c.1963 (wild) - 01/02/2014

    Colbridge (M)
    Stud #: 0952
    08/10/1987 - 01/50/1994

    Howletts
    Mushie (F)
    Stud #: 0386
    c.1969 (wild) -

    Kijo (M)
    Stud #: 0577
    02/04/1975 - 20/12/2008

    Apenheul Primate Park
    Tsimi (F)
    Stud #: 0576
    C.1974 (wild) - 17/09/2001

    Pabebo (F)
    Stud #: 0945
    18/03/1987 - 15/09/2001 (Burger's Zoo)
     
    Crowthorne, 24 Oct 2023
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  4. Pertinax

    Pertinax Well-Known Member 15+ year member

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    Its neither of them. I am pretty sure it is either Massa or Bamboo at Philadelphia. (Remember this is an American production). Another Nat Geo production on Gorillas- I think just called 'Gorilla'- has a similar short sequence early on showing a caged zoo silverback in a barred cage, but this one is even rarer, the only film footage I've ever seen of 'Baron' the first male to breed in captivity, at Columbus Ohio.
     
    Pertinax, 25 Oct 2023
    #4
  5. Pertinax

    Pertinax Well-Known Member 15+ year member

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    I also believe the footage of live baby gorillas being captured and carried on poles is Martin and Osa Johnson's expedition circa 1930, and these later became the two famous silverbacks N'gagi and M'bongo at the San Diego zoo.
     
    Pertinax, 26 Oct 2023
    #5