Famous Chicago zoo gorilla Bushman preserved in museum
In 1951, the city of Chicago wept for its most famous and beloved citizen. This wasn't a politician, an actor, or an athlete—it was a magnificent, five-hundred-pound western lowland gorilla named Bushman.
For over twenty years, Bushman lived at the Lincoln Park Zoo, where he brought joy to an estimated one hundred million visitors who traveled from all over the world just to see him beat his chest and look out at the crowds.
When Bushman arrived in Chicago as a tiny baby back in 1930, nobody knew just how famous he would become.He grew up to be an incredibly handsome and smart silverback gorilla who loved playing with old car tires and interacting with his keepers.He was such a massive celebrity that newspapers wrote about his every move, and people treated him like a real-life superhero.
Sadly, on New Year's Day in 1951, the legendary gorilla passed away from a heart condition, leaving the entire city heartbroken. He was 22. He was replaced by Sinbad, a lowland gorilla who stayed at the zoo for 37 years.
But Chicago wasn't ready to say goodbye to Bushman forever. Experts at the Field Museum wanted to make sure that future generations could still look into the eyes of the city's favorite animal.
This incredible black-and-white photograph shows two skilled museum workers carefully working to preserve his body using a special technique.They used a unique method to perfectly copy the texture of his face, hands, and feet so he would look exactly like he did when he was alive.Today, you can still walk into the Field Museum and see Bushman standing proud, ensuring that this legendary gorilla truly lives on forever.
Anecdote: Did you know that Bushman once successfully escaped from his enclosure at the zoo? On a chaotic afternoon, he slipped through an unlocked service door, but instead of running outside, the giant gorilla wandered into the keeper's kitchen to raid food supplies. When his lifelong keeper tried to guide him back, a startled Bushman bit him. Knowing the 550-pound ape was deathly afraid of reptiles, the zoo director pushed a tiny, harmless garter snake into the hallway. Terrified of the little snake, the mighty gorilla ran straight back into his cage.
By Hey Chicago on Facebook
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