Kakowet, whose name comes from the sound of the French word for peanut, came from the Leopoldville Zoo in the Congo Republic, where he was doted on and given special privileges by Leopoldville Zoo manager Willy Peeters. Kakowet was donated to the San Diego Zoo, and on his flight to the U.S., he was even given the run of the plane and befriended the crew! Once he arrived in San Diego in June 1960, he settled into his new home in the Children's Zoo, and he charmed his way into everyone's affections there, too. And he had plenty of playmates—the little

Trib, a western lowland gorilla, arrived at the Zoo on July 30, 1960, and his journey to the San Diego Zoo was arranged by the Brazzaville Zoo in Africa. James S. Copley of the San Diego Evening Tribune donated the funds, and Trib was named in his honor. Trib was the third gorilla that James Copley had funded for the Zoo, and the Zoological Society made him an Honorary Vice-president to thank him for his efforts in helping the Zoo to build a breeding colony of these great apes. Trib was one of four young apes being brought up in the Children's Zoo in 1960. His rambunctious playmates—and fellow troublemakers—were Kakowet the bonobo, Roberta the orangutan, and Cindy the chimpanzee.

1960

Innovation 1957 - 1966

Double Trouble: Kakowet the bonobo (left) and Trib the western lowland gorilla (right) grew up together in the Children’s Zoo.

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