Ivan The Gorilla Bounces Back

He was slapped and chased on his first day with females of his own kind. On Tuesday, Ivan the gorilla made clear who is king of the jungle at Zoo Atlanta.

Ivan, who spent nearly three decades alone in a cage in a Tacoma shopping mall, shared an enclosure with other gorillas - 10-year-old Kuchi and 26-year-old Molly - for the first time Monday.

Kuchi made several attempts to sidle up to him Monday and was showing interest in him again Tuesday, said Bert Castro, zoo curator of birds and primates.

“Kuchi went up to him, and he chased Kuchi around. That’s a really good thing. He needs to assert his dominance and keep the group under control.”

Zoo officials hope to put Ivan, Molly and Kuchi on display to the public on Friday.