A Samsonian Effort

We were all raised in Wisco. And you know who else was? A gorilla named Samson. In 1981, Samson the gorilla, a beloved Milwaukee icon who inspired so many to pursue science and love animals, died. After his death, the Milwaukee Zoo and a strong segment of the public wanted his body preserved as a taxidermy mount. And a nearly equally vocal and impassioned group opposed the efforts. So his body sat and waited. By the time the public came around to wanting Samson immortalized in taxidermy form, it was no longer possible. Enter Wendy Christensen, a star taxidermist with the Milwaukee Public Museum since she was 19 years old. Although taxidermy was impossible, Wendy worked for a full year painstakingly crafting a life-size, world-award-winning artificial recreation of Samson that continues to educate new generations at MPM today. Wendy shares her story and experience learning about and memorializing Samson with us today. And don’t worry- we’ll have her back for more! Guests: Wendy Christensen