OKLAHOMA CITY– He may have some silver hair, but he’s proving to be young at heart. The Oklahoma City Zoo will be celebrating the 40th birthday of one of the zoo’s most beloved silverback gorillas, Tatu (pronounced like tattoo.)
To celebrate Tatu’s long and healthy life, the Zoo is hosting a birthday party on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, from 1:30-3:30 p.m. inside Great EscApe’s Gorilla Interpretive Center.
Festivities for the public include making birthday cards for Tatu, getting a custom-designed “We Love Tatu” temporary tattoo, and visiting a special exhibit in the ZooZeum that chronicles Tatu’s life. Party goers can also get free cupcakes, while supplies last, provided by local bakery favorite, Cuppies & Joe.
Tatu and his troop will enjoy exclusively prepared, all-natural grain birthday “cakes” baked by Classen Curve’s Café 501, with ingredients specified by the Zoo’s animal nutrition experts. Gorilla conservation T-shirts will also be available for purchase.
Zoo admission is required.
Leading up to Tatu’s birthday bash, the Zoo has partnered with Cuppies & Joe to create a signature cupcake in Tatu’s honor, named Give Back for Silverback. The cupcake will be available for purchase from Jan. 23-31 at Cuppies & Joe (727 NW 23rd Street, Oklahoma City.) Cuppies & Joe will donate 40 percent of the Give Back for Silverback cupcake sales to the Zoo’s gorilla conservation efforts, which help ensure the survival of Western lowland gorillas. Cuppies & Joe is open Tuesday – Saturday only, 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
“We are excited to team up with Cuppies & Joe in honor of our special silverback, Tatu,” said Tara Henson, OKC Zoo’s marketing/PR director. “This partnership is a unique and tasty opportunity for Oklahomans to support two local favorites while helping conserve and protect wild gorillas and their habitats.”
Since Tatu arrived at the Zoo in 1983 at the age of 8, he has become a well-known ambassador for his species, which are critically endangered in the wild. The median life expectancy for gorillas is approximately 35-years-old.
“Tatu’s life span reflects the quality care given to this species and all our animals at the Oklahoma City Zoo,” said Laura Bottaro, OKC Zoo animal curator. “He may look fierce, but guests love Tatu. He’s known as a gentle mate, good father and firm leader for his troop.”
Zoo fans can also honor Tatu and his gorilla friends by donating birthday presents through the Zoo’s Wish List on Amazon.com. Items listed have been selected to generate the interest, curiosity, development and enjoyment of the great ape species and other animals at the Zoo.
