Timeline for the Gorilla Haven Project 

·        1993 - The name "Gorilla Haven" is chosen and discussions start about acquiring land sometime in the future for GH in the southeastern USA.

·        1996 - In December, 275 acres is purchased in North Georgia, and GH goes from dream to reality.

·        1997 - The establishment of GH is officially announced at the Third International Gorilla Workshop in Pittsburgh, PA . Gorilla experts from Japan, Germany, Switzerland, England and Holland visit the site and offer encouragement and support for the project.

·        1999 - A full time project manager and gorilla expert, Pete Halliday, arrives in March and construction begins with the infra-structure - access roads, storm water management, septic systems and site grading.

·        2000 - Building construction begins as plans get finalized.  In May 2000 plans are presented to the Gorilla S.S.P. (Species Survival Plan) and Zoo world, which goes over very well, although many are still waiting to see finished facilities.  The Great Wall of Morganton is the big highlight of the year (see updates), as concrete pads are also poured for the first 2 villas.

·        2001 – This year had more great construction milestones, including the construction of Silverback Villa in April.  In June the  second gorilla keeper, Kelly joined the project, working with Pete to prepare all the paperwork – procedures, protocols, etc needed, in addition to helping supervise and advise on construction issues. More surrounding land is purchased, bringing the total up to 324 acres. 

·        2002 - Most of this year was spent on a substantial revision to the veterinary facility plans and completion of all the details for Silverback Villa and other support buildings. The vet clinic was originally designed for emergency surgery and small procedures with the expectation of working with a nearby zoo for any major surgery. However, the AZA wanted Gorilla Haven to be completely self-sufficient. This required a full surgical theatre with X-ray, gas anesthesiology, piped-in oxygen, pulse oximeter, autoclave etc. plus separate Recovery and Necropsy facilities. Fortunately, all of these requirements could be accommodated. So far everyone who visits says the same thing:  They’re amazed at the attention to detail and quality of standards and the obvious amount of hard work involved in making GH a reality. 

·        2003 - in early January, all inspections (USDA, DNR, SSP) were completed and on March 30th following approval by the Gorilla SSP, Gorilla Haven welcomed its first resident: Joe who was transported from the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Texas.

·        2004 - Construction of the steelwork for the three remaining villas proceeds along with a number of minor revisions based upon our experience with Silverback Villa. Also, extensive work on the habitat took place this year with several natural ponds being added plus a comprehensive plan of pollarding most the tall trees in the habitat.

·        2006 - Emma Villa was completed in April, in time for Oliver's arrival in mid-May.

·        2008 - with the economic downturn, and the realization that Zoos themselves are facing serious economic hurdles, construction is placed on hold until the long-term funding issues for the project are resolved.