July 1, 2004
By Chandrea Gerber
A LARGE imprint of Max the gorilla's "helping hand" has been erected in memory of the Johannesburg Zoo's most famous inhabitant.
Max died on 5 May 2004.
"With Max's death, the zoo was inundated with emails and messages from the public who shared the loss of this high-profile animal and wanted to be involved in saying goodbye to Max", says Elmarie Loubser, the zoo's general manager.
So, the zoo commissioned Sybilla Nagel to create a memorial to the much-loved gorilla who became famous in 1997 when he tackled a criminal who had jumped into his enclosure while fleeing the police. Max was shot three times during the struggle.
Nagel's memorial celebrates Max's life, the zoo said.
The memorial, in a quiet garden opposite the gorilla enclosure, consists of a throne on top of three steps. On it is an imprint of Max's hand. Mosaic patterns draw visitors to the throne, on which they can sit.
Loubser says Max was a "powerful reminder of our responsibility to animals in captivity, was an ambassador for all gorillas and reminds us that the devastation of the forests in Africa is destroying the habitat of these magnificent animals".
People can become a part of the Max memorial by leaving their handprints indelibly in the pathway leading to the throne. Children will be able to come back each year to see how their hands have grown and future generations will be able to return to see the handprints of the youth of today.
"Handprints link us through the ages and are an ongoing reminder of our ancestors," says Loubser.
Each print will cost R100; money raised will be used to expand the ape house.
Visitors can join celebrities in adding their handprints on 10 July, the day the zoo officially celebrates its 100th year of existence.
Space for handprints is limited, so vouchers will be sold at the Jan Smuts Avenue entrance to the Johannesburg Zoo on weekdays from 8am to 4pm. To become a part of the Max memorial buy a voucher before 10 July.
For more information contact the Johannesburg Zoo on 011 646 2000.
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