“SUSIE'S
GRAF ZEPPELIN GORILLA
Is the first and only trained Gorilla in the world.
Captured when six months old off the west coast
of South Africa in the Belgian Congo. Taken to the
Riviera in France, where she remained until the Graf
Zeppelin made its first trip to America, on which
she was a passenger. Susie occupied Cabin One,
landing at Lakehurst, N. J., August 4, 1929. She
was then taken on tour of the United States and
Canada—the only Gorilla that ever made such a
trip and still lived. Susie was given six weeks to
live by animal experts. Susie has the strength of
about ten men. Was full grown at the age of 12
years. Stood about 5 foot 2 and weighed 350 to
400 pounds. She now stands 5 foot 2 inches and
weighs 405 pounds. She is strictly vegefarian,
eats everything in the way of fruits and vegetables.
According to our medical and scientific world the
Gorillas are considered to be the closest to the
human being, physically. Often the question has
been asked as to whether there have been any
Gorillas born in captivity in the U.S. The answer
is No, there have been no Gorillas grown to
maturity in this country, as they do not reach
maturity until about the age of 12 years.
Susie was purchased by the late R. J. Sullivan
and placed in the Cincinnati (Ohio) Zoo, where
she is on exhibition to the public.
SUSIE WAS 18 YEARS OLD AUGUST 4, 1944
Jo
COPYRIGHT - CAROLINE DRESSMAN, 1939
