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Gorillas of Cameroon
Ford African Rain Forest
Zoo Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia USA – 1988
ASLA 1988 Significant Achievement Award
In1984 Jon Coe and noted primateologist and behavioral psychologist Dr. Terry Maple collaborated on a technical paper discussing design concepts for ideal habitats for zoo gorillas, orangutans and chimpanzees. (Coe, Jon C., Maple, Terry L., 1984. "Approaching Eden: A Behavioral Basis for Great Ape Exhibits" in AAZPA 1984 Annual Conference Proceedings, American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums, Wheeling, WV.) Several of these advanced concepts became reality when Dr. Maple became Zoo Atlanta Director, CLRR (later CLRdesign, inc.) became the Zoo's planners and Zoo Atlanta made arrangements to keep 14 gorillas in four troops.
The Gorillas of Cameroon project, which opened in 1988, extended the landscape immersion concept developed by Jon and his colleagues at Woodland Park Zoo to include behavioral opportunities for multiple gorilla troops. The resulting facilities feature four highly naturalistic habitats separated by hidden moats. This allows troop members to respond to other troops while visitors can see up to 14 gorillas in the same expanded view.
State-of-the-art holding areas allowed gorilla troops to be rotated among the habitats on a daily basis. This option was successfully tested by Dr. Kristin Lukas as a research project.
The strength and realism of the immersion experience benefited from an African research safari to Korup National Park and Campo Forest Reserve in Cameron, West Africa to study wild gorilla habitat. The safari was lead by Zoo Atlanta General Curator Detrich Schaaf. Jon documented his field observations with photos, journals, sketchers and field poems, which were used to enhance project design.
With the new facilities, the previously solitary silverback gorilla "Willie B" was successfully socialized and sired five healthy gorillas – the oldest silverback to ever do so. "Ivan" another senior solitary male was also successfully socialized in this flexible facility. When Willie B died in 2000 at the age of 41, 7,000 Atlantans attended an impromptu memorial service at Zoo Atlanta, a testament to the power of a great gorilla and a compelling, respectful display.
Dedicated Zoo Atlanta staff have successfully managed the production of 13 gorilla offspring at the Gorillas of Cameroon facility.
Jon Coe and Gary Lee, Principals in CLRR (later CLRdesign, inc.) lead the design team, which included Nevin Lash and Barbara McGrath. CLRR were consultants to Turner Associates., Atlanta Architects.