Samson (gorilla)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Captured 1949
Wild Born
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US
 Samson in his enclosure | |
| Species | Western Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) |
|---|---|
| Sex | Male |
| Born | Samson Captured 1949 Wild Born |
| Died | November 27, 1981 (Aged 32) Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US |
| Resting place | Donated to Science |
| Known for | Milwaukee Zoo Main Attraction |
| Residence | Milwaukee County Zoo |
| Parent | Unknown |
| Mate | Terra |
| Offspring | None |
| Weight | 652 lb (296 kg) |
Samson (1949– November 27, 1981) was a male silverback western lowland gorilla given to the Washington Park Zoo in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, by the Pabst Brewing Company. Samson reached a weight of 652 lb (296 kg) and lived alone in a glass enclosure. He often hit the windows in frustration and managed to break the glass four times. He was moved to the Milwaukee County Zoo in 1959, and quickly became the main attraction.[1] Samson was one of the largest gorillas in captivity.[2]
Samson was the main attraction for the Washington Park Zoo in Milwaukee from the moment he arrived. The Zoo celebrated his fifth birthday with soda and a cake in front of his cage.[3] Samson attracted huge crowds that came to see him in his tiled stall every day. He appeared on television, in magazines and even on a Milwaukee bus pass. Because of Samson's isolation, glass pounding, and expressions, people saw him as sad, bored and lonely. His poor living conditions also seemed to contribute to that belief.[4]
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