Tribute to Kubie
Born in captivity, Kubie never knew the freedom or the warmth of a tropical rainforest. Nor did he know the threats and horrors of poachers. He lead a quiet life as he silently watched over his family. He is missed by all who had the honor of knowing his majestic being.

KUBIE made headlines in the spring of 2004 when he had a diseased lung removed. Sadly, he died several days after surgery due to complications. His mate, Bawang, offered fruit to his lifeless body in an effort to try and revive him. In many ways it's the end of and era. His father, Bwana, was captured in Cameroon in 1958, brought to the San Francisco Zoo in 1959 and died in 1994. Kubie was born at the zoo on May 1st, 1975. His sister, Koko, is famous for learning sign language. Kubie's sons, Shango and Barney, have been transferred to the Sedgwick Zoo in Wichita, Kansas. Bawang and his daughter, N'neka, remain at the San Francisco Zoo.

The Zoo recently found a new silverback named, Oscar Jonesy, to head up the group.

Species: Gorilla gorilla gorilla
Painting is 24"x 30".
Completed in 2004.