Photos: A visit to Dewar Wildlife Refuge

Arts and Culture

Photos: A visit to Dewar Wildlife Refuge

Dewar Wildlife Trust, formerly known as Gorilla Haven, is a retirement village for male gorillas on 300-plus acres of Fannin County forest, near Morganton, which is about two hours north of Atlanta. “It’s the Gorilla Hilton up here,” says keeper Charles Horton.

Kidogo looks through a slot in the window.

Dewar walks through the surgical suite.

Steuart Dewar talks about the cages in the recovery pen next to the surgical suite during a tour of The Dewar Wildlife Refuge.

Owner Steuart Dewar talks about the cages in the recovery pen next to the surgical suite during a tour of the refuge.

Zoo Atlanta's Bobby Fellows holds up artwork by one of the gorillas.

Owner Steuart Dewar looks over the gorilla habitat during a tour of The Dewar Wildlife Refuge in Morganton. Dewar and his first wife, Jane, spent a fortune (made by Steuart) to build the haven in the North Georgia mountains. After they divorced and the money ran out, Steuart's hopes are scaled back and yoked to similar goals of the folks at Zoo Atlanta. There is a new openness toward bringing tour groups through on a regular basis.

Steel work sits ready to build more indoor pens for primates.

Owner Steuart Dewar and Zoo Atlanta's Bobby Fellow look over the gorilla habitat.

Kidogo relaxes at The Dewar Wildlife Refuge in Morganton.

Jasiri (left) chews on wood as Kidogo relaxes.

Zoo Atlanta's Bobby Fellows (left) and JoBeth Dewar watch the gorillas antics.

Jasiri chews on wood as Kidogo relaxes at the Dewar Wildlife Refuge in Morganton.

Zoo Atlanta's Bobby Fellows trains Kidogo to open his mouth on command for better medical examinations.

JoBeth Dewar (right) watches Zoo Atlanta's Bobby Fellows work with Kidogo at the Dewar Wildlife Refuge.

Kidogo's massive hand hangs on the bars during a training session.

Zoo Atlanta's Bobby Fellows feeds Kidogo grapes after he followed a proper command.

Zoo Atlanta's Bobby Fellows trains Kidogo to open his mouth on command for better medical examinations.

Kidogo sits in his indoor pen at the Dewar Wildlife Refuge.

Steuart Dewar talks about the electronic gate control system he built during a tour of the Dewar Wildlife Refuge in Morganton.

Owner Steuart Dewar and his wife JoBeth feed Kidigo (aka Willie B. Jr.) a treat through a slot in the window at the Dewar Wildlife Refuge in Morganton. Currently former Zoo Atlanta residents Jasiri and Kidigo are the only primates at the $6 million gorilla paradise near Blue Ridge, funded by one clever gentleman and his cell phone apps.

Bobby Fellows, from Zoo Atlanta, drives away from the main administration building.

Jasiri walks across the gorilla enclosure.

The gorilla enclosure is electrified at the Dewar Wildlife Refuge in Morganton.

Steuart Dewar (right) watches Zoo Atlanta's Bobby Fellows work with Kidogo.

Kidogo sits in his indoor pen at the Dewar Wildlife Refuge.

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Kidogo looks through a slot in the window.

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