In 1931, Robert J. Sullivan permanently loaned the zoo a female eastern gorilla named Susie.
 Captured in the Belgian Congo, Susie was first sold to a group of French explorers who sent her to France.
 In August 1929, Susie was transported from Europe to the United States aboard the airship Graf Zeppelin accompanied by William Dressman.
 After Susie completed a tour through the United States and Canada with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Sullivan purchased Susie for $4.500 and loaned her to the zoo.
 Dressman, who stayed on as Susie's trainer after she was loaned to the zoo, taught her how eat with a knife and fork and orchestrated two performances every day.
 Susie was so popular that on her birthday on August 7, 1936, more than 16,000 visitors flocked to the zoo.
 Susie remained one of the most popular animals at the zoo until her death on October 29, 1947.
Her body was donated to the University of Cincinnati, where her skeleton remained on display until it was destroyed in a fire in 1974.
In 1931, Robert J. Sullivan permanently loaned the zoo a female eastern gorilla named Susie.  Captured in the Belgian Congo, Susie was first sold to a group of French explorers who sent her to France.  In August 1929, Susie was transported from Europe to the United States aboard the airship Graf Zeppelin accompanied by William Dressman.  After Susie completed a tour through the United States and Canada with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Sullivan purchased Susie for $4.500 and loaned her to the zoo.  Dressman, who stayed on as Susie's trainer after she was loaned to the zoo, taught her how eat with a knife and fork and orchestrated two performances every day.  Susie was so popular that on her birthday on August 7, 1936, more than 16,000 visitors flocked to the zoo.  Susie remained one of the most popular animals at the zoo until her death on October 29, 1947. Her body was donated to the University of Cincinnati, where her skeleton remained on display until it was destroyed in a fire in 1974.
Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden