Ep59 with Terry Maple on the life of Atlanta’s Iconic Ape and positive change for gorillas

On today’s podcast, we welcome Terry Maple onto iBuzz to talk to us about his new book, The Life of Willie B., and his impressive lifelong career as a behavioural researcher, wildlife conservationist, professor, author, and zoo director. 

Terry tells us of the inspirations behind his latest book, citing the positive changes for animals - particularly great apes - that have occurred in the zoo industry during his career. He talks about his life’s journey to Zoo Atlanta, starting out  as an animal social psychologist, and his interest in what made a zoo great. Inspired by his local zoo growing up, San Diego Zoo, he began a 30-year career revitalising and reforming the then-discredited Zoo Atlanta. Through his management, he - alongside a team of “reformers” -  was a key driver in turning Zoo Atlanta into the respected facility it is today. 

Terry talks about how gorilla management has changed since he started his work with the apes. He explains how, as research into great ape behaviour in the field developed, he set out to utilise this knowledge to reform the management of gorillas under human care. In particular, he celebrates the shift from housing single gorillas by themselves to keeping species-appropriate groups which mimic the family dynamics of groups living in the wild. 

Willie B. is remembered by Terry as a remarkable animal, and a demonstration of the importance of providing an environment that replicates the experience they would have in the wild - one that is mentally challenging, but peaceful, with the ability to socialise with their own kind. He tells us of the positive changes he saw in Willie B. after the gorilla, who had lived in a concrete enclosure for two decades, moved to a naturalistic African rainforest inspired exhibit. He celebrates all of the people in the community who came together to stand behind him as he, new to working as a zoo director at the time, spearheaded the construction of what was then considered revolutionary. 

Terry also tells us about his involvement with Ivan, a gorilla which was taken from the wild at a young age and kept as a household pet for the first years of his life. Terry explains how disturbing this critical period of Ivan’s social life went on to impact him when he eventually came to live at Zoo Atlanta. Terry explains how the 27 years Ivan spent in isolation, living in a department store in Georgia, led to him struggling to adjust to the company of other gorillas. 

Terry concludes the podcast with a reflection on how Willie B. impacted the lives of everyone who met him. Sabrina reads one of the testimonials on the podcast, sharing just one of the many tributes found in the book. Terry shares his personal reflections on his experiences with Willie B., reflecting on how happy he was to be part of something important and helping to change the world for gorillas living in human care. 

Terry Maple’s latest book, Atlanta’s Iconic Ape, is available on Amazon HERE 

Take a look at the other books authored by Terry Maple HERE 

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