Lowland Gorillas in Europe 2022

[Kifaru Bwana]

The problem is there isn't currently a new bachelor group being set up anywhere that he could join. Trying to add a 12/13 year old to an existing group would not be easy either, unless perhaps he was the oldest male.

I figured as much ..., a facility that most zoos find somewhat unnecessary to invest in.
Yet for the overall health of the entire EEP totally indispensable.


I would however like to see more experimentation with ... investigating alternative options and opportunities as essentially the issues exist due to the fact we have become very successful in captive / conservation breeding of western lowland gorilla. Any ideas?

 

[Pertinax]

I would however like to see more experimentation with ... investigating alternative options and opportunities as essentially the issues exist due to the fact we have become very successful in captive / conservation breeding of western lowland gorilla. Any ideas?

It is a very difficult situation. EEP already request any new holders to build facilities for males first, or if already holders, when building new accommodation, to make it for two groups, one for breeding and one for males. For example, Prague's new house will hold both, but they have young males already at the zoo to use it when its ready (though possibly may be able to add others from elsewhere). Twycross will too, but theirs is not even started yet.

Castration of young males not genetically needed for future breeding has been seen as an alternative too as they can stay in their own social group longterm- but it has caused a lot of controversy and I think is largely 'on hold' at present while the success of the current ones is being assessed, with about a dozen young males of varying ages still living in their natal groups in several zoos. The oldest is already 15 (at Gaia Park where interestingly a new breeding male- fomer Paira Daiza bachelor Lomako- is currently being introduced). But I'm sure there will be more done in the future.


Overall less babies being produced would have a longterm effect, but zoos want the babies and groups benefit socially from containing them. But more of a strict control on birth rates seems inevitable as the only main method of solving this problem longerterm. Releasing surplus males in wild?- bad idea as will only imbalance local populations in favour of males.

FYI there is currently another slightly younger male, Quembo, in Frankfurt, also living seperately from his group after conflict with the silverback (his father). Again and like Nasibu, he is not genetically important and also like him, in need of relocation somewhere.

 

[john]

Maybe Quembo is valuable for future breeding!

 

[Pertinax]

Maybe Quembo is valuable for future breeding!

I don't think he is as genetically well-represented as the other male Nasibu, so perhaps. I've now heard he has another gorilla(Sawa) for company so is not entirely alone anyway.

 

[john]

I don't think he is as genetically well-represented as the other male Nasibu, so perhaps. I've now heard he has another gorilla(Sawa) for company so is not entirely alone anyway.

Thanks for answering. Which other males are related to the male gorilla Francois? How much is that lineage represented in de european population?

 

[Pertinax]

Thanks for answering. Which other males are related to the male gorilla Francois? How much is that lineage represented in de european population?

Answer- none... I had overlooked that, in fact, Quembo's mother Dian is the only offspring of male Francois, and she has only two offspring and none in a subsequent generation so he(Quembo) is possibly a lot more valuable for breeding as a result than I had thought..

 

[Pertinax]

FYI there is currently another slightly younger male, Quembo, in Frankfurt, also living seperately from his group after conflict with the silverback (his father). Again and like Nasibu, he is not genetically important and also like him, in need of relocation somewhere.

I got this wrong- in fact Quembo is genetically more valuable for breeding than Nasibu, as he is the only offspring of his w/c paternal grandfather.(see above)

 

[john]

Thanks for the information.
Only is a little bit young to start his breeding phase.

 

[Jambo]

Thanks for the information.
Only is a little bit young to start his breeding phase.

He’s currently twelve, so not necessarily. Considering his maternal line not very well represented, and the fact that his mother is in her later years for breeding; this would most likely be soon. He may very well be placed in a breeding situation within the next few years once a suitable option is chosen.

 

[Pertinax]

Nasibu at Paira Daiza is already out on exhibit and introduced to the two females. Photos show him to be an impressive-looking young silverback.

 

[Pertinax]

He’s currently twelve, so not necessarily. Considering his maternal line not very well represented, and the fact that his mother is in her later years for breeding; this would most likely be soon. He may very well be placed in a breeding situation within the next few years once a suitable option is chosen.

Twelve certainly isn't too young if a place becomes available for him somewhere. He just has one younger sister also in Frankfurt, (Xetsa, non-breeding as yet) so he may well rank quite highly when it comes to selecting any future breeding males, particularly as Frankfurt are no doubt keen to move him now.

 

[Jambo]

Twelve certainly isn't too young if a place becomes available for him somewhere. He just has one younger sister also in Frankfurt, (Xetsa, non-breeding as yet) so he may well rank quite highly when it comes to selecting any future breeding males, particularly as Frankfurt are no doubt keen to move him now.

Quembo has no full siblings; only three young half siblings. He’s also the only surviving offspring of his mother, of who, herself is the only surviving offspring of her father. Due to his age now, I’d assume Frankfurt would be keen to move him on. He should be quite easy to place into an institution that is need of a new silverback.

 

[Pertinax]

Quembo has no full siblings; only three young half siblings. He’s also the only surviving offspring of his mother, of who, herself is the only surviving offspring of her father. Due to his age now, I’d assume Frankfurt would be keen to move him on. He should be quite easy to place into an institution that is need of a new silverback.

I believe Xetsa is his younger full sibling- mother also is Dian?

 

[Jambo]

I believe Xetsa is his younger full sibling- mother also is Dian?

Oh yes, she does, my bad. Xetsa, was born in 2017, and was actually a twin! Quembo was Dian's first offspring, and from there she has had two sets of twins in a row. Quite astonishing. Xetsa is the only surviving twin though, from the last set in 2017.

 

[Pertinax]

Oh yes, she does, my bad. Xetsa, was born in 2017, and was actually a twin! Quembo was Dian's first offspring, and from there she has had two sets of twins in a row. Quite astonishing. Xetsa is the only surviving twin though, from the last set in 2017.

A pity that Quembo is not really genetically suitable for London who are in need of a new male- their female Mkujuu (on her mother's side) shares some Basel lineage with him unfortunately. (Though sometimes things like that do get overlooked.)

 

[GreatApeFan7]

Sangha from GaiaZoo passed away on Sunday the 13th at the age of 22.

Source: Log into Facebook

 

[Pertinax]

2 year old male 'Moyo' at Rostock Zoo has died from an intestinal-related problem.

New baby born at Chessington Zoo, UK on 24th April ( parents; Shanga x Damisi)

 

[john]

So Quembo and Xesta has to do it on their own!

 

[Pertinax]

New baby born at Chessington Zoo, UK on 24th April (parents; Shanga x Damisi)

A few Gorilla updates;

1. The latest baby born at Chessington Zoo was actually a 'mistake' due to failed contraception.

2. Confirmation from EEP that due to his genetic representation, recent arrival Nasibu at Paira Daiza will not be allowed to breed with the females- they will be on contraception at least for foreseable future.

3. Move of Prague group to new enclosure due anytime now- today? Young males Kiburi and Nuru will be seperated and stay in old enclosure. Richard's future role still seems undecided.

4. Confirmation from EEP that younger male Shufai at Twycross is castrated (date unknown but presumably was done some time ago now).

 

[Jambo]

Confirmation from EEP that due to his genetic representation, Nasibu at Paira Daiza will not be allowed to breed with the females- they will be on contraception at least for foreseable future.

That's interesting. Has this always been the case with Nasibu, who was originally intended to be sent to Orana. They planned to hold a breeding group, but if he's thoroughly genetically represented, maybe it wasn't the plan after all.