Official Website of the Dewar Wildlife Trust, Inc.
• Morganton, GA USA •

We may not have Mountain Gorillas, but we do have Gorillas in the Mountains!

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Join the DWT in Welcoming its New Residents!


Willie B. Jr. (Kidogo - Father: Willie B., Mother: Machi)	Jasiri (Father: Ozoum, mother: Katoomba)

Willie B. Jr. (also known as Kidogo) is the only son of Atlanta's famous Willie B. There are actually three gorillas named Kidogo, so to avoid any confusion, we are probably going to refer to this gorilla as Willie B. Jr. His 'buddy' Jasiri is almost exactly the same age (they are both 13, going on 14), and they get along well together in spite of their quite different personalities. Physically, Willie B. has a far more pronounced sagittal crest, and looks more like an adult male (silverback) than Jasiri who still has more of the look of a younger blackback. Both of them are settling in well at Dewar Wildlife, and we will be posting more information on the two of them and their new life here in the North Georgia Mountains shortly (click on either image for a larger version of the photograph).

Charles Horton

We are especially grateful to Zoo Atlanta for their expression of confidence in working with the DWT to house two of their gorillas, especially with Willie B. Jr. being the only son of Atlanta's famous resident gorilla. Overseeing their care and the facility is Zoo Atlanta's Charles Horton, who personally took care of Willie B. for so many years. It's certainly a wonderful set of circumstances that have resulted in Charles now being associated with both Zoo Atlanta and the DWT where in addition to looking after Joe, he can oversee Willie B.'s son and Jasiri as they spend their active teenage years in the large DWT facility in the North Georgia mountains.

Dr. Terry L. Maple

A Message from Dr. Terry L. Maple

I’ve always admired the Dewar Wildlife Trust and their devotion to helping gorillas and other wild creatures. During my seventeen years as President/CEO of Zoo Atlanta I participated in an unprecedented period of productivity in gorilla breeding. Today Zoo Atlanta has more gorillas than they can successfully house on their campus. The availability of space at the Dewar Wildlife Facility for two young adult gorillas is a wonderful opportunity for both institutions. One of these gorillas is the only male heir of the great and wonderful Willie B. Willie B. Jr. (Swahili name, “Kidogo”) is a wonderful addition to the Dewar Wildlife population...
Click here to continue...

And how is Joe taking all of this? Joe seems to be aware of some new activity in the facility, but since Willie B. Jr and Jasiri are at opposite ends of the huge 8.5 acre habitat from Joe, they are hardly close enough to invoke much attention from DWT's long-time resident, who is now only weeks away from his 49th birthday.

Joe, at 48 years old, is the third oldest male in a zoo setting and is Dewar Wildlife's iconic resident. Joe started life in Cameroon, and has spent time in several zoos in the USA including Birmingham (AL), Denver (CO), and Brownsville (TX).

Joe came to this wildlife facility in 2003 and in spite of his advanced age, enjoys tour visitors and the tranquility of the North Georgia Mountains.

Where are Oliver's Goats? Click on photo or News tab at top for info on Briggs & Stratton's new home!

Dewar Wildlife was certified by the AZA (Association of Zoos & Aquariums) as a related facility in 2005, and was re-certified in September of 2010 through 2015. Why is this important? And What is Dewar Wildlife?

Pimlico Software, Inc. which provides advanced calendar applications for Windows and Android phones is a major contributor to the Dewar Wildlife Trust, Inc. and calls its calendar software "Planner of the Apes"

Dewar Wildlife is certified by

as a related facility

The DWT is a 501(c)(3)
non-profit corporation

Mission Statement