Tacoma’s “department store gorilla” dies in Atlanta

A beloved gorilla who once called a small Tacoma department store home has died.

Zoo Atlanta says 50-year-old Ivan never regained consciousness after he was put under general anesthesia Monday for a diagnostic assessment. The zoo says the geriatric ape had recently lost weight, seemed to lack appetite, and had a respiratory illness.

“The Veterinary Team had been observing Ivan carefully in recent weeks following weight loss, apparent lack of appetite, and a respiratory illness. When it became obvious that our efforts to modify his diet and his existing medication regimen were not resulting in significant improvement, it was necessary to perform a diagnostic procedure to determine the underlying causes of Ivan’s condition,” said Hayley Murphy, DVM, Director of Veterinary Services. “General anesthesia carries a degree of risk in any veterinary procedure, but these risks are compounded in an individual of Ivan’s advanced age and delicate condition. We are heartbroken that this proved the case, and Ivan did not recover from the anesthesia.”

Ivan was a Northwest icon. He lived for nearly 30 years at the B&I Circus Store in Tacoma after wildlife traders sold him to owners of the store. He became a well known attraction as well as a poster child for efforts to improve the care of captive animals.

Facing mounting pressure and financial troubles, the owners sent Ivan to Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo, which ultimately moved him to Zoo Atlanta in 1994.

Officials say Ivan has remained one of the most popular animals at Zoo Atlanta, frequently receiving birthday and holiday cards, letters, and greetings. He’s the most asked about animal on its Facebook page.