Be Ivan
Be Inspirational, Be a Visionary, Be an Advocate, Be a Nurturer
Ivan inspired people to bring about a change in his life.
Through their Vision, he became an Advocate for all endangered species and his legacy continues to Nurture new ideas of what could be.
BE IVAN IN EVERYTHING YOU DO
An idea can start a movement, but its virtue will
CHANGE THE WORLD.
“The population of mountain gorillas has continued to increase in recent years, leading to its downlisting from Critically Endangered to Endangered in November 2018.” ― WWF
More is required to increase the population size. It starts with learning their plight and connecting on a more personal level. The deeper our bond with these amazing beings, the more empathetic we are, the more we are drawn to help.
Through Ivan's Story,
grants, scholarships, and a variety of programs, we are dedicated to the conservation of endangered species in their natural habitat.
A lesson learned from Ivan’s Legacy is that we should aspire to be more like his kin rather than trying to shape them to be more like us.
Ivan touched the lives of many in the Tacoma, WA area. We continue to learn how and in what ways years after his passing.
Part of Ivan’s legacy is:
INSPIRING REAL CHANGE IN THE MINDS OF FUTURE GENERATIONS.
The Ivan statue at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium was only the beginning.
The I.V.A.N. Foundation is the next step.
It is our mission to share his story to:
Inspire people who have a Vision to Advocate for all endangered species and to Nurture the ideas to bring about lasting change for the conservation of their natural habitats.
Statue of Ivan at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
What makes these creatures who they are is their behaviors and personalities. Environmental changes lead to an altering of who we are at our core and how we act. We adapt and evolve into our new surroundings.
We need to do more than preserve the Western Lowland Gorilla and other endangered species.
WE NEED TO PRESERVE IT IN ITS NATURAL STATE…
AND ENSURE THEY CAN THRIVE WITHIN IT.
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My memory of Ivan
My memory of Ivan is when I was 8 years old. I loved Ivan so much. I watched the movie, I read the book, and I’m following his journey. And I just love Ivan as much as right now! by Sonia Davila
Free by Charlie Puth
Via Instagram: Hi. I heard by chance, Free by Charlie Puth, and loved the song since the beginning! I then read from The One and Only Ivan…I looked for the video and I fell head over heels with Ivan! I am listening to the audiobook and searching, I found you (Earl) and Larry Johnston telling…
As An Adult, I Have Followed His Journey
I grew up in Tacoma and as a little girl I remember going and seeing him at the B&I every weekend. As an adult, I have followed his journey and I am so happy he got to live out the rest of his days at the Atlanta Zoo. I miss him and will forever have…
I watched the Disney+ show tonight about Ivan
I watched the Disney+ show tonight about Ivan. Such a great movie. Much to my surprise, at the end it was mentioned that he lived in a strip mall in Tacoma Washington for 27 years. I didn’t remember that his name was Ivan or that I actually saw him there numerous times when I was…
Ivan’s Compound – The Space He Left Behind
After the B&I Circus Store changed hands in 1995, I swore I would never return. This store that had once brought so much joy was now haunted. It was filled with many ghosts of years long gone. Time does soften those feelings, and after twenty-five years I had decided it was time to…
Heirs To A Story Like No Other
My Grandparents, Earl & Constance Irwin, started the B&I Circus store back in the early 40’s and from my earliest memories, Ivan was always a part of my life and family. My sisters and I often state how incredible our childhood was, largely due to the influence of our close family state. As a child,…
The Bicycle
Larry Johnston & Ivan the Gorilla® circa 1964 at the B&I Circus Store. The Solex Electric Bicycle company wanted to introduce their new motorized bicycle & feature a photo shoot with Ivan for commercial purposes. Ivan & I would take many adventures together, but he had especially loved to ride on motorcycles with…
My Perspective: Disney’s The One and Only Ivan
I watched the newly released Disney movie, The One and Only Ivan, over the weekend. For many, this may be a fascinating movie, but for me, it was epic. The film had captivated me from the beginning. It opened with the introduction of Henrietta, a chicken that played baseball. We actually did have…
I was hired as a manager at B & I Circus Store in 1964
I was there to welcome Ivan and Burma when they arrived. They lived with the Johnson family who brought them to the store daily. They were amazing little guys. Burma got ill and didn’t survive after several months of degrading illness. The Johnson’s and I took the little guys on promotional trips to Seattle. One…
What a Remarkable Beautiful Creature He Was
I’m 41 years old today, but when I was a little girl (age 8), I grew up in Tacoma and my mom worked at the B&I and sometimes she would bring me to work and I would see Ivan daily. He was so beautiful and so human-like. I had a really horrible childhood and I…