Australasian Common Chimpanzee Population

marmolady said:
Some great finds there! I can see a great deal of resemblance between Susie and her descendants.
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I can really see Samaki and Sembe in their uncle, Sonny (1978-1989); and yes, Shiba definitely takes after Susie (1948-1995).

Considering Shiba and Kuma both lost their mothers at a young age (seven and fourteen respectively), they did well to rear offspring successfully and become the two highest ranking females in the community.
 
0.1 Sally at Wellington Zoo is currently pregnant:

"We’re very excited to announce that Chimpanzee Sally is pregnant! Sally has already proven herself to be a wonderful mother to her son Bakari and we can’t wait to welcome a new addition to our community of Chimpanzees. We expect her due date to be some time in October, so stay tuned for more details. Here’s a photo of Sally and her son Bakari, back when he was a bit smaller!"
 
WhistlingKite24 said:
0.1 Sally at Wellington Zoo is currently pregnant:

"We’re very excited to announce that Chimpanzee Sally is pregnant! Sally has already proven herself to be a wonderful mother to her son Bakari and we can’t wait to welcome a new addition to our community of Chimpanzees. We expect her due date to be some time in October, so stay tuned for more details. Here’s a photo of Sally and her son Bakari, back when he was a bit smaller!"
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Fantastic news! This will be Sally’s seventh infant. Sally has suffered remarkable hardship in building her family, having endured the deaths of her first five offspring - including two infants, a juvenile and two adolescents. Despite this, she’s well placed in the hierarchy as the alpha female; and will have the support of her adolescent son, Bakari, in raising this infant. Infant mortality is high in chimpanzee mothers over 35 years old (Sally was 36 in January); but females of a similar age have succeeded in recent years - Lisa and Shiba at Taronga Zoo were 35 and 38 respectively; and Sanda at Hamilton Zoo was 35.
 
Presumably this will be Sally's last infant; I will be crossing my fingers for a happy outcome-- she's certainly had more than her fair share of bad luck with the losses of so many offspring.
 
Australasia’s Female Chimpanzees - Ranking by Approximate Genetic Value

1. Samantha (01/11/1983) Charlie x Coco

2. Babsi (10/09/1984) Tommy x Chita; Imported 2019

3. Julchen (14/04/1985) Unknown x Unknown; Imported 2019

4. Sile (03/07/2006) Unknown x Julchen; Imported 2019

5. Mary (18/12/2002) Unknown x Mzde; Imported 2019

6. Hannah (28/11/1993) Andy x Annie; Imported 2015

7. Leakey (30/12/1994) Chuck x Lilli; Imported 2015

8. Ceres (19/09/1990) Toto x Jenny; Imported 2015

9. Naomi (25/01/2001) Toto x Jenny; Imported 2015

10. Sanda (10/04/1985) Peter x Fimi

11. Galatea (24/02/1999) Fons x Gaby; Imported 2010

12. Zombi (15/03/1993) Ayo x Zola; Imported 2010

13. Zuri (21/08/2012) Sandali x Zombi

14. Holly (25/05/1988) Peter x Deanne

15. Kamili (02/09/1995) Snowy x Koko

16. Cara (10/09/1981) Jojo x Chiki

17. Sally (13/01/1985) Jojo x Spitter

18. Shiba (22/05/1981) Jojo x Susie

19. Samantha (25/12/1983) Jojo x Sutu

20. Malika (27/10/2010) Sam x Samantha

21. Keza (06/07/1998) Marty x Samantha

22. Sembe (27/02/2008) Lubutu x Shiba

23. Kuma (06/12/1991) Snowy x Ficha

24. Lani (26/05/2002) Lubutu x Lisa

Note: Ranking is approximate as paternity and even ancestry of some chimpanzees in the region (including adults) is unknown; only females aged 8-40 years (reproductive age are included); Shona is not included as she’s sterilised; Shiba and Cara are included, though neither will be reproducing again due to their age and other factors.

Brief Explanation of Rankings

Samantha at Rockhampton Zoo is the most genetically valuable chimpanzee in the region. She’s the only living descendant of her wild born parents (both deceased), so for all intents and purposes, has the genetic value of a wild born founder. She’s getting on in years, and has had two unsuccessful births, so sadly chances are slim she’ll produce a surviving infant now.

Sydney Zoo has several genetically valuable females, whose rankings are helped by the fact their facility of origin has few (if any) other chimps in circulation within accredited zoos. They rank just above the other four recently imported European females (Hannah, Leakey, Ceres and Naomi) who have all bred in the region and have small numbers of family members across Europe.

Immediately below them is Sanda, who together with her brother at Monarto, are the only surviving offspring of their parents (who were founders). Sanda has bred twice and has at least one niece through her brother; which places her just above Monarto’s European imports.

Galatea (a relation of Zombi) has representation through Zombi’s three offspring - and are well represented in Europe through the large community they descend from. Galatea’s purebred status has no bearing on her genetic value as chimps are not managed at a subspecies level.

Holly, Kamili and Cara descend from well at least one well represented founder each, but place higher than the chimps below them due to each having ancestors that were poorly represented - Holly (Molly), Kamili (Koko) and Cara (Chiki).

The Wellington and Taronga born females are very well represented, which is reflected by the lack of breeding recommendations given to them. Breeding recommendations are likely given only for troop demographic reasons e.g. succession of the troop and social reasons e.g. to avoid disadvantaging females in a community where the others have family members.
 
I'm not aware that Galatea (Fons x Gaby) is related to Zombi (Ayo x Zola). Neither of them have parents with known sires, so they could well not be. Their fathers are from different maternal lines. Obviously, it's possible that they share grandsires, but we'll never know for sure.
 
marmolady said:
I'm not aware that Galatea (Fons x Gaby) is related to Zombi (Ayo x Zola). Neither of them have parents with known sires, so they could well not be. Their fathers are from different maternal lines. Obviously, it's possible that they share grandsires, but we'll never know for sure.
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I must have been thinking of one of the other Monarto females that came from Europe, perhaps Zwala since I see Zombi’s mother had a Z name? Hopefully Galatea can conceive, though it’s looking unlikely given the period of time she’s been off contraception without success. It’d be interesting to know if the zoo had undertaken any investigation into whether there’s a cause.
 
Yes, Zwala and Zombi were cousins. Zwala and Galatea were half-sisters, and Zombi and Soona were half-sisters.
I would dearly love for Galatea to fall pregnant. Perhaps an investigation will take place in the future— or the old implant be removed.
 
Chimpanzee Birth Imminent at Wellington Zoo

Sally at Wellington Zoo is heavily pregnant and due to give birth this month. It’ll be the first birth of this species at the zoo since Kitwe was born in November 2014.

I previously said this would be Sally’s seventh infant, but I missed out her infant she lost at 12 days of age back in 1999. Sally has therefore given birth to seven offspring (one surviving) and this will be her eighth.

For those that are interested, here are her infants to date:

0.1 Unnamed
Born at Wellington Zoo 16/01/1995
Died at Wellington Zoo 16/01/1995
Sire: Boyd (Assumed)

1.0 Mahinga
Born at Wellington Zoo 24/03/1996
Died at Wellington Zoo 10/03/2005
Sire: Marty

0.1 Unnamed
Born at Wellington Zoo 25/10/1999
Died at Wellington Zoo 06/11/1999
Sire: Boyd (Assumed)

1.0 Bahati
Born at Wellington Zoo 23/12/2000
Died at Wellington Zoo 14/10/2005
Sire: Boyd

1.0 Unnamed
Born at Wellington Zoo 16/06/2005
Died at Wellington Zoo 18/06/2005
Sire: Sam (Assumed)

1.0 Beni
Born at Wellington Zoo 22/10/2007
Died at Wellington Zoo 03/02/2017
Sire: Sam

1.0 Bakari
Born at Wellington Zoo 10/06/2012
Still at Wellington Zoo
Sire: Sam
 
Cassius (Eldest Male Chimpazee in the Region)

Cassius the chimpanzee turned 50 years old today and is currently the eldest male chimpanzee in the region. Cassius is only the second male of his species to reach this age (in Australasia). A male named Bobby was an estimated 50 years and 11 months old when he died at Auckland Zoo in November 1954.

Cassius was born at Natureland Zoo 18/10/1971. His parents were Chiko (born 1962 at Taronga Zoo) and Mary (born 1960 at Taronga Zoo). Cassius is related to most of the chimpanzees in the region as both Chiko and Mary were sired by Bobby - who has 36 living descendants in the region.

Cassius had no full siblings, but had two half siblings through his father Chico. Chico bred with a female named Maxine (born 1959 in the wild) to produce a daughter named Cleopatra in 1973 and a son named Octavius in 1975. Cleopatra died in 1982 and Octavius moved with Cassius to Rockhampton Zoo in 1987, where he died in 2013.

https://www.miragenews.com/rockhampton-zoos-cassius-turns-50-years-young-653696/
 
Taronga Zoo - Chimpanzee Update

They finally have an alpha:

Samaki is now the alpha, with Sule acting as his right hand man. Samaki was the obvious candidate for the role - considering he has the support of several of the females including Lisa, Shiba, Kuma, Naomi and Ceres.

Samaki has proved a reluctant but fair alpha, playing the role of peacemaker within the troop.

Rankings of the other adult males:

Furahi is finding his intimidation tactics are unsuccessful in gaining him respect. He has little support within the community, even from Kuma - who focuses her attention on Fumo.

Shikamoo is displeased his younger brother now ranks higher than he does. Things came to a head when he attacked Shiba in a raceway and was in turn beaten up by her sons, Shabani and Samaki. Shikamoo lost a toe in the altercation and appears to have conceded his bid for alpha.

It appears Shabani still ranks lower than Furahi and Shikamoo.

Breeding plans:

All females are currently on contraception. However, the plan is to take Kuma, Ceres and Kamili off contraception when the exhibit reopens (the main exhibit is closed while rennovations to the moat continue).

Kuma last gave birth eight years ago; Ceres last gave birth four years ago; and Kamili has had four unsuccessful infants to date. The hope is, Kamili will be successful in raising an infant when surrounded by other females in the same situation. She currently has a close relationship to Kuma.
 
Pregnancy Update on Leakey (Rockhampton)

Rockhampton Zoo have released an update on Leakey, who is due to give birth in December.

Hopefully this infant will be the 12th surviving infant in five years. Like Capri, this infant will be a highly valuable genetically:

Leakey’s bump is growing quickly, with her due date rapidly approaching. She is around 6½ months along.

Overnight monitoring of the chimp night house cameras has begun, and we have stocked up on comfortable bedding for her to nest in. She is exhibiting nesting behaviour, which is common this close to giving birth.

Leakey is mum to 3½-year-old Capri, and we expect her to be a fantastic mum yet again to her new addition.
 
Chimpanzee Birth (Wellington)

Sally at Wellington Zoo gave birth early this morning to a healthy infant. This is the eighth infant for 36 year old Sally and the first for the troop’s alpha male - 23 year old Alexis.

Alexis, along with his 40 year old mother Cara and this new infant are the only surviving descendants of Bessie (1950-2011), a wild born female - whose family line has endured significant loss over the years.

This birth takes Wellington Zoo’s troop to 11 chimpanzees.
 
Chimpanzee Birth (Rockhampton):

As announced by @WhistlingKite24 in the Rockhampton news thread, Leakey has given birth to a female infant last night!

This is 27 year old Leakey's second infant and 13 year old Alon's third.

The birth raises the number of chimps at Rockhampton to 7 (2.5).
 
Jambo said:
Chimpanzee Birth (Rockhampton):

As announced by @WhistlingKite24 in the Rockhampton news thread, Leakey has given birth to a female infant last night!

This is 27 year old Leakey's second infant and 13 year old Alon's third.

The birth raises the number of chimps at Rockhampton to 7 (2.5).
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Wonderful news for Rockhampton especially after Samantha’s stillbirth earlier this year. I think a male infant would’ve been more beneficial to Leakey as she already has a daughter and having a male could help with her social status in the troop in the future but I’m just glad the baby is healthy and doing well. Also, I know with bonobos young females leave their natal troops to breed rather than males, is it the same way with chimps?
 
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