Australasian Common Chimpanzee Population

[ApeLadyNZ]

I have details of what I’ve referred to as a mystery infant in my research:

1.0 Unnamed
Born at Auckland Zoo 24/11/1965
Died at Auckland Zoo 16/02/1966
Sire: Unknown; Dam: Unknown

It wasn’t stillborn, but lived until it was nearly three months old. Parentage is unknown and considering Charlie and Siss produced three known infants (August 1964, October 1970 and July 1971), I was wiling to assign it to them.

I’d be interested to know if the two cohorts of tea party chimps (imported 1956 and 1959) were kept seperate. I believe they were (due to the certainty of paternity of Suzie and Sally) and by the end of 1962 were reduced to Bobby, Janie, Minnie and Josie in one cage; and Charlie and Siss in the other. This means Bobby was capable of breeding (as Minnie had a miscarriage). I wonder why Josie never conceived/conceived again (if she had a stillbirth).

I’m not surprised Mike was aggressive towards Janie and Bobby. He was an adolescent by then (arrived aged nine in 1982) and assumed the alpha role by default. He became quite the tyrant by all accounts.

@Zoofan15 - thanks for clarifying! Perhaps the person I spoke to was unclear about the parentage and birth of the infant, perhaps conflating Minnie's miscarriage and the birth of the mystery infant. It's highly possible the parents of the latter were indeed Charlie and Siss, as they were already a breeding pair, and the person who told me about the infant may have incorrectly ascribed parentage to Josie and Bobby.

I think A Tiger by the Tail implied that the 2 cohorts of tea party chimps were kept separately. My own guess as to why being conflict between the groups due to differences in age, size and strength and possibly also the temperaments of the chimps involved.

Yes, Mike was quite an aggressive chimp by all accounts - I think I read somewhere, maybe on these forums, that he killed an infant of Lucy's? And his own violent end is well documented, due to wounds sustained from a brawl with his son Luka. It's interesting how Luka has become pretty much the opposite of Mike in terms of his current behaviour as alpha, but then again, he has no serious challengers for the position as Lucifer has too much of a nervous temperament, Luka also has the firm support of mother Lucy, and Luka and Sanda have two daughters and no sons. Things could be different if new males were ever introduced to the Hamilton troop, though!

I remember reading somewhere online that there was a plan to freeze Bobby's sperm to artificially inseminate female chimps in an overseas zoo as he was wild-born and genetically valuable, but I wonder if that plan was abandoned somewhere along the way?

 

[Zoofan15]

@Zoofan15 - thanks for clarifying! Perhaps the person I spoke to was unclear about the parentage and birth of the infant, perhaps conflating Minnie's miscarriage and the birth of the mystery infant. It's highly possible the parents of the latter were indeed Charlie and Siss, as they were already a breeding pair, and the person who told me about the infant may have incorrectly ascribed parentage to Josie and Bobby.

I think A Tiger by the Tail implied that the 2 cohorts of tea party chimps were kept separately. My own guess as to why being conflict between the groups due to differences in age, size and strength and possibly also the temperaments of the chimps involved.

Tiger by the Tail is one of my all time favourite books, but it does contain a few mistakes, including this paragraph:

In August 1964 one of the chimpanzees, Minnie, died of a coronary attack following a miscarriage. The following month a baby chimpanzee was abandoned by its mother, one of the four original performers brought from Britain. Although at first she had appeared fond of her offspring, she soon began dragging it around the floor of the cage. The baby chimpanzee was removed from the mother, but later died.

I found a news article from The Press dated August 31 that reports the following:

Abandoned by its mother shortly after birth on Thursday, a baby chimpanzee at the Auckland Zoo is being bottle fed night and day. The chimpanzee, a female weighing 31b 31oz, is the first of its species to be born at the zoo. The mother, one of the performing chimpanzees brought from Britain, appeared to be fond of its offspring, but suddently started dragging it around the cage.

The article matches to Suzie (born 27/08/1964), who A) Wasn’t born to one of the original chimpanzees; and B) Didn’t die. I suspect this is where the confusion of Josie having an infant came in.

Yes, Mike was quite an aggressive chimp by all accounts - I think I read somewhere, maybe on these forums, that he killed an infant of Lucy's? And his own violent end is well documented, due to wounds sustained from a brawl with his son Luka. It's interesting how Luka has become pretty much the opposite of Mike in terms of his current behaviour as alpha, but then again, he has no serious challengers for the position as Lucifer has too much of a nervous temperament, Luka also has the firm support of mother Lucy, and Luka and Sanda have two daughters and no sons. Things could be different if new males were ever introduced to the Hamilton troop, though!

Yes, that’s correct. These are the details of Lucy and Loanda:

0.1 Lucy
Born at Taronga Zoo 24/11/1975
Arrived at Auckland Zoo 23/10/1985
Sent to Hamilton Zoo 07/10/2004

0.1 Loanda
Born at Taronga Zoo 06/08/1985
Arrived at Auckland Zoo 23/10/1985
Died at Auckland Zoo 25/11/1985

According to newspaper reports, positive interaction was seen between Mike and Lucy between the bars, but when they were introduced, he killed Loanda within seconds. Though this was a natural response, he did come from a notorious line. Mike’s mother (Mary) fatally injured the newborn twins of Lucy’s mother (Lulu), at Taronga Zoo in 1983; and later canabilised another female’s infant. Mike’s then adolescent brother (Mervin) fatally injured three infants at Taronga in 1989.

I remember reading somewhere online that there was a plan to freeze Bobby's sperm to artificially inseminate female chimps in an overseas zoo as he was wild-born and genetically valuable, but I wonder if that plan was abandoned somewhere along the way?

Yes, there’s details of this here:

Chimpanzee Bobbie bows out peacefully | Scoop News

Bobbie was considered to be a ‘founder’ animal, because he was unrelated to any other chimpanzee in the Australasian region. However, his inability to interact with naturally socialised chimpanzees meant he did not breed. It is unfortunate he is not genetically represented (while some of his sperm was sent to Sydney University, it was not of sufficient motility to use).

It appears females in Taronga’s chimpanzee community may have been inseminated with Bobby’s sperm. Their breeding male died in 1999 and sperm was collected from Bobby in 2000 as per The Zoo. Adelaide were also without a breeding male, following the death of Peter in 1994.

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

Tiger by the Tail is one of my all time favourite books, but it does contain a few mistakes, including this paragraph:

In August 1964 one of the chimpanzees, Minnie, died of a coronary attack following a miscarriage. The following month a baby chimpanzee was abandoned by its mother, one of the four original performers brought from Britain. Although at first she had appeared fond of her offspring, she soon began dragging it around the floor of the cage. The baby chimpanzee was removed from the mother, but later died.

I found a news article from The Press dated August 31 that reports the following:

Abandoned by its mother shortly after birth on Thursday, a baby chimpanzee at the Auckland Zoo is being bottle fed night and day. The chimpanzee, a female weighing 31b 31oz, is the first of its species to be born at the zoo. The mother, one of the performing chimpanzees brought from Britain, appeared to be fond of its offspring, but suddently started dragging it around the cage.

The article matches to Suzie (born 27/08/1964), who A) Wasn’t born to one of the original chimpanzees; and B) Didn’t die. I suspect this is where the confusion of Josie having an infant came in.


Yes, that’s correct. These are the details of Lucy and Loanda:

0.1 Lucy
Born at Taronga Zoo 24/11/1975
Arrived at Auckland Zoo 23/10/1985
Sent to Hamilton Zoo 07/10/2004

0.1 Loanda
Born at Taronga Zoo 06/08/1985
Arrived at Auckland Zoo 23/10/1985
Died at Auckland Zoo 25/11/1985

According to newspaper reports, positive interaction was seen between Mike and Lucy between the bars, but when they were introduced, he killed Loanda within seconds. Though this was a natural response, he did come from a notorious line. Mike’s mother (Mary) fatally injured the newborn twins of Lucy’s mother (Lulu), at Taronga Zoo in 1983; and later canabilised another female’s infant. Mike’s then adolescent brother (Mervin) fatally injured three infants at Taronga in 1989.


Yes, there’s details of this here:

Chimpanzee Bobbie bows out peacefully | Scoop News

Bobbie was considered to be a ‘founder’ animal, because he was unrelated to any other chimpanzee in the Australasian region. However, his inability to interact with naturally socialised chimpanzees meant he did not breed. It is unfortunate he is not genetically represented (while some of his sperm was sent to Sydney University, it was not of sufficient motility to use).

It appears females in Taronga’s chimpanzee community may have been inseminated with Bobby’s sperm. Their breeding male died in 1999 and sperm was collected from Bobby in 2000 as per The Zoo. Adelaide were also without a breeding male, following the death of Peter in 1994.

@Zoofan15 - thanks for the clarification! I too love A Tiger by the Tail, but yes, there are definitely inaccuracies there (I remember some mistakes in the polar bear section of the book) and I can see that the mistake about the baby chimp being born to one of the original tea party group very likely caused the assumption from the person I spoke to that the infant was born to Josie, as Janie would have been immediately ruled out as a possible mother, and Siss was not part of the first group.

Thank you for the information about Mike and his family. It's unfortunate that Mike's aggression caused the death of Loanda, but his line certainly do seem to have an aggressive streak.

It's also unfortunate that Bobby did not end up being genetically represented after all, since he was so valuable as a founder ape. Or that Susie and Sally never bred, especially if they were indeed pure Western chimpanzees.

Are the current troops in Hamilton and Wellington hybrids? I know that zoos no longer allow breeding from hybrid orangutans, but are the rules different for chimps?

 

[Jambo]

Are the current troops in Hamilton and Wellington hybrids? I know that zoos no longer allow breeding from hybrid orangutans, but are the rules different for chimps?

Yes, they are. Chimps have never been breed at purebred level (at least regionally).

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

Yes, they are. Chimps have never been breed at purebred level (at least regionally).

@Jambo - thanks for that! I suspected that they were, but wasn't entirely sure!

 

[Zoofan15]

Are the current troops in Hamilton and Wellington hybrids? I know that zoos no longer allow breeding from hybrid orangutans, but are the rules different for chimps?

Yes, they are. Chimps have never been breed at purebred level (at least regionally).

I suspect the first generation of Auckland and Wellington chimpanzees were Western chimpanzees; and in turn the offspring produced between Bebe and her father, Tom. The merging of the Taronga and Wellington lines scuppered this with the three females from Taronga introduced to the Wellington colony; and the male from Wellington sent to Taronga. We know for a fact Taronga had at least one Central chimpanzee founder (Susie); and I suspect Fifi (from which most of the region descends) was too.

Galatea at Monarto is the only known purebred (Western).

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

I suspect the first generation of Auckland and Wellington chimpanzees were Western chimpanzees; and in turn the offspring produced between Bebe and her father, Tom. The merging of the Taronga and Wellington lines scuppered this with the three females from Taronga introduced to the Wellington colony; and the male from Wellington sent to Taronga. We know for a fact Taronga had at least one Central chimpanzee founder (Susie); and I suspect Fifi (from which most of the region descends) was too.

Galatea at Monarto is the only known purebred (Western).

@Zoofan15 , that is really interesting! It seems that a lot of chimpanzees that ended up in NZ came from Taronga. Are there any other notable zoos that also contributed to our population?

 

[Jambo]

@Zoofan15 , that is really interesting! It seems that a lot of chimpanzees that ended up in NZ came from Taronga. Are there any other notable zoos that also contributed to our population?

Yes three females were brought across in 1992;

0.1 Cara (10/09/1981) Jojo x Chiki
0.1 Samantha (25/12/1983) Jojo x Sutu
0.1 Sally (13/01/1985) Jojo x Spitter

All three are still within the troop and were the breeding females for many decades. They have been the only new imports since the founders!

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

Yes three females were brought across in 1992;

0.1 Cara (10/09/1981) Jojo x Chiki
0.1 Samantha (25/12/1983) Jojo x Sutu
0.1 Sally (13/01/1985) Jojo x Spitter

All three are still within the troop and were the breeding females for many decades. They have been the only new imports since the founders!

@Jambo - thanks for this! Great to know. Sally's the mother of little Akida, isn't she?

 

[Zoofan15]

@Zoofan15 , that is really interesting! It seems that a lot of chimpanzees that ended up in NZ came from Taronga. Are there any other notable zoos that also contributed to our population?

Yes three females were brought across in 1992;

0.1 Cara (10/09/1981) Jojo x Chiki
0.1 Samantha (25/12/1983) Jojo x Sutu
0.1 Sally (13/01/1985) Jojo x Spitter

All three are still within the troop and were the breeding females for many decades. They have been the only new imports since the founders!

Hamilton Zoo also imported 0.2 from Adelaide Zoo in 2008:

0.1 Fimi (1965-2012) Founder
0.1 Sanda (1985) Peter x Fimi

Sanda has two daughters with Luka.

@Jambo - thanks for this! Great to know. Sally's the mother of little Akida, isn't she?

Yes, Sally is the mother of Bakari (2012) and Akida (2021).

Samantha is the mother of Keza (1998) and Malika (2010).

Cara is the mother of Alexis (1998) - alpha male.

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

Hamilton Zoo also imported 0.2 from Adelaide Zoo in 2008:

0.1 Fimi (1965-2012) Founder
0.1 Sanda (1985) Peter x Fimi

Sanda has two daughters with Luka.


Yes, Sally is the mother of Bakari (2012) and Akida (2021).

Samantha is the mother of Keza (1998) and Malika (2010).

Cara is the mother of Alexis (1998) - alpha male.

Sadly I never got to meet Fimi, but I know and love Sanda and her family very well, especially eldest daughter Chiku. One day I hope to visit the Wellington troop, as they're a fascinating bunch and some of them are descended from some very iconic apes indeed!

 

[Zoofan15]

Update on Rockhampton chimpanzee introductions:

Jerry (castrated male) has been successfully introduced to the elderly handraised male, Cassius. The biggest challenge will be integrating him with Alon, the 15 year old alpha male.

Nine new reasons to visit Rockhampton Zoo

"His introduction to the entire troop is ongoing, with successful integration already achieved with our eldest chimpanzee, Cassius. The two are getting along really well and are currently enjoying their days together in one of the two outdoor enclosures.”

“He will eventually move to the larger enclosure with all of the chimpanzees together, once he and the rest of the troop are more comfortable."

 

[Zoofan15]

My main interest is the primates, and although it's too soon after Kendi's birth for the chimpanzees to breed again, I am hoping for a siamang infant at some point since Kasih and Lima appear to be getting along well.

Looking at the representation of the regional founders, I’m thinking it’s likely that Luka and Sanda will breed again:

Mary (1956-1989) has five living descendants:

1.0 Lucifer (1988) Hamilton
1.0 Luka (1993) Hamilton
1.0 Shabani (1994) Taronga
0.1 Chiku (2016) Hamilton
0.1 Kendi (2020) Hamilton

Not breeding again at Hamilton until Lucifer/Luka pass effectively reduces her viable descendants to the two juvenile females as Shabani (low ranking male) will likely never have descendants at Taronga. Even Kamili has set her sights higher these days!

Peter (1953-1994) and Fimi (1965-2012) have four known living descendants:

0.1 Sanda (1985) Hamilton
0.1 Chiku (2016) Hamilton
0.1 Hope (2019) Monarto
0.1 Kendi (2020) Hamilton

They may potentially gain two more (pending paternity results):

0.1 Zola (2019) Monarto
1.0 Happy (2022) Monarto

These numbers pale compared to some of the more represented founders, four of which have 25 descendants or more.

It would be ideal if Luka and Sanda produced a third daughter, as this would give them the option to transfer females out or bring males in (after the deaths of Lucifer and Luka). Statistically, Lucifer and Luka likely won’t be around for more than a decade; but Cassius at Rockhampton is 52 years old and were Luka to reach that age, he could effectively block Chiku from breeding until she’s 30 if she were to remain at Hamilton in anticipation of them receiving unrelated males down the track.

If Luka and Sanda produce a son, Chiku and Kendi could transfer somewhere as a pair; with their younger brother remaining at Hamilton to breed. If Luka and Sanda produce a daughter, Chiku could transfer somewhere, with her two younger sisters remaining at Hamilton in anticipation of them receiving a male. I’d really like to see Gandali (2020) from Rockhampton go to Hamilton in this scenario; as he’s the sole living descendant of Molly and would benefit from going into a situation where he’s the sole breeding male.

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

Looking at the representation of the regional founders, I’m thinking it’s likely that Luka and Sanda will breed again:

Mary (1956-1989) has five living descendants:

1.0 Lucifer (1988) Hamilton
1.0 Luka (1993) Hamilton
1.0 Shabani (1994) Taronga
0.1 Chiku (2016) Hamilton
0.1 Kendi (2020) Hamilton

Not breeding again at Hamilton until Lucifer/Luka pass effectively reduces her viable descendants to the two juvenile females as Shabani (low ranking male) will likely never have descendants at Taronga. Even Kamili has set her sights higher these days!

Peter (1953-1994) and Fimi (1965-2012) have four known living descendants:

0.1 Sanda (1985) Hamilton
0.1 Chiku (2016) Hamilton
0.1 Hope (2019) Monarto
0.1 Kendi (2020) Hamilton

They may potentially gain two more (pending paternity results):

0.1 Zola (2019) Monarto
1.0 Happy (2022) Monarto

These numbers pale compared to some of the more represented founders, four of which have 25 descendants or more.

It would be ideal if Luka and Sanda produced a third daughter, as this would give them the option to transfer females out or bring males in (after the deaths of Lucifer and Luka). Statistically, Lucifer and Luka likely won’t be around for more than a decade; but Cassius at Rockhampton is 52 years old and were Luka to reach that age, he could effectively block Chiku from breeding until she’s 30 if she were to remain at Hamilton in anticipation of them receiving unrelated males down the track.

If Luka and Sanda produce a son, Chiku and Kendi could transfer somewhere as a pair; with their younger brother remaining at Hamilton to breed. If Luka and Sanda produce a daughter, Chiku could transfer somewhere, with her two younger sisters remaining at Hamilton in anticipation of them receiving a male. I’d really like to see Gandali (2020) from Rockhampton go to Hamilton in this scenario; as he’s the sole living descendant of Molly and would benefit from going into a situation where he’s the sole breeding male.

This definitely shows how valuable the Hamilton chimps are! If Chiku transfers out I do hope it's to Wellington (I must admit to being very fond of her). Gandali would be a good fit for Hamilton, I think, but not while Luka is still alpha, and he is likely to remain so as he has no challengers at present - I don't ever foresee Lucifer attempting to take over. On visits when I've witnessed Lucifer runs around screaming and displaying, he's been soundly ignored by all the adults in the troop.

 

[Jambo]

This definitely shows how valuable the Hamilton chimps are! If Chiku transfers out I do hope it's to Wellington (I must admit to being very fond of her). Gandali would be a good fit for Hamilton, I think, but not while Luka is still alpha, and he is likely to remain so as he has no challengers at present - I don't ever foresee Lucifer attempting to take over. On visits when I've witnessed Lucifer runs around screaming and displaying, he's been soundly ignored by all the adults in the troop.

Chiku and Kendi would be nice choices to transfer down to Wellington down the line. Both females are relatively unrelated to Wellington's group and Wellington will be in strong need of additional females in the next five to ten years.

In the event Sanda doesn't conceive again and Sanda's two daughters are retained Gandali would obviously be the best candidate to pair with both females. His arrival would have to come after the deaths of Luka and Lucifer. Both males are now in their 30's and although they could have a decade ahead of them this would be beneficial to Gandali too, allowing him to grow up in his maternal group and observe behavior's ect. from his father rather than transferring him at a much younger age.

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

Chiku and Kendi would be nice choices to transfer down to Wellington down the line. Both females are relatively unrelated to Wellington's group and Wellington will be in strong need of additional females in the next five to ten years.

In the event Sanda doesn't conceive again and Sanda's two daughters are retained Gandali would obviously be the best candidate to pair with both females. His arrival would have to come after the deaths of Luka and Lucifer. Both males are now in their 30's and although they could have a decade ahead of them this would be beneficial to Gandali too, allowing him to grow up in his maternal group and observe behavior's ect. from his father rather than transferring him at a much younger age.

I agree with this - personally I think Wellington would be the best fit. I don't see them being sent to Australia, particularly not to Monarto, especially if Happy turns out to be the son of Tsotsi.

Sanda could very possibly breed again, and a lot would depend on if her infant is male or female. I am not sure if Hamilton Zoo are considering bringing in another breeding female from elsewhere at this stage, particularly since the unfortunate incident with Chima.

 

[Zoofan15]

This definitely shows how valuable the Hamilton chimps are! If Chiku transfers out I do hope it's to Wellington (I must admit to being very fond of her). Gandali would be a good fit for Hamilton, I think, but not while Luka is still alpha, and he is likely to remain so as he has no challengers at present - I don't ever foresee Lucifer attempting to take over. On visits when I've witnessed Lucifer runs around screaming and displaying, he's been soundly ignored by all the adults in the troop.

Chiku and Kendi would be nice choices to transfer down to Wellington down the line. Both females are relatively unrelated to Wellington's group and Wellington will be in strong need of additional females in the next five to ten years.

In the event Sanda doesn't conceive again and Sanda's two daughters are retained Gandali would obviously be the best candidate to pair with both females. His arrival would have to come after the deaths of Luka and Lucifer. Both males are now in their 30's and although they could have a decade ahead of them this would be beneficial to Gandali too, allowing him to grow up in his maternal group and observe behavior's ect. from his father rather than transferring him at a much younger age.

Lucifer is now 35 years old, so his time for taking over as alpha has well and truly passed with Luka being five years younger, supported by the females and having been alpha for over a decade. It would be impossible to bring in new males at this point in time, so they’ll have to wait until he and Lucifer have passed on.

Chiku could well go to Wellington Zoo. When introducing females to a new troop, they prefer to introduce them in pairs (or more) if the troop is large, so the best option may be for her and Kendi to go together a decade from now.

Alternatively, Chiku could go alone to Rockhampton. Demographically, this troop would be ideal; and Gandali could still go to Hamilton irregardless (with new females imported).

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

Lucifer is now 35 years old, so his time for taking over as alpha has well and truly passed with Luka being five years younger, supported by the females and having been alpha for over a decade. It would be impossible to bring in new males at this point in time, so they’ll have to wait until he and Lucifer have passed on.

Chiku could well go to Wellington Zoo. When introducing females to a new troop, they prefer to introduce them in pairs (or more) if the troop is large, so the best option may be for her and Kendi to go together a decade from now.

Alternatively, Chiku could go alone to Rockhampton. Demographically, this troop would be ideal; and Gandali could still go to Hamilton irregardless (with new females imported).

Personally, I think it might be best to send Chiku and Kendi together if they decide to transfer them out. And I agree that it would be best to wait till Luka and Lucifer have passed on before importing new males.

Sanda could very well breed again, so any future developments would hinge on that eventuality, and whether the infant is male or another female.

 

[Zoofan15]

Sanda could very possibly breed again, and a lot would depend on if her infant is male or female. I am not sure if Hamilton Zoo are considering bringing in another breeding female from elsewhere at this stage, particularly since the unfortunate incident with Chima.

I was told Hamilton aren’t considering bringing in more females for precisely that reason. It was problematic introducing Luka to Fimi prior to the introduction of Chima and after many challenges, they finally have a cohesive troop they don’t want to disrupt.

Once Luka and Lucifer have passed, there will be the opportunity to bring in more chimpanzees (male and female). Breeding from Chiku and Kendi would be a double up of genes, so I think it’s more likely Chiku will transfer out; with a new male/males imported to breed with Kendi and at least one other imported female. If Sanda is still alive, they could import two females from overseas without disadvantaging Kendi in her introduction to them (or bring in two unrelated females from two different troops).

Personally, I think it might be best to send Chiku and Kendi together if they decide to transfer them out. And I agree that it would be best to wait till Luka and Lucifer have passed on before importing new males.

Sanda could very well breed again, so any future developments would hinge on that eventuality, and whether the infant is male or another female.

If their destination is Wellington, Monarto or Taronga; then Chiku and Kendi would be better off transferring as a pair. I mention Taronga as a demographic example as they descend from Lulu (mother of Lucy), who is well represented at Taronga via Lubutu.

Like I say, Rockhampton is really the only destination Chiku would go alone; and I’ve long anticipated Sembe will transfer there from Taronga’s troop. She’s reportedly struggling to find her place and would benefit from going somewhere she can breed.

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

I was told Hamilton aren’t considering bringing in more females for precisely that reason. It was problematic introducing Luka to Fimi prior to the introduction of Chima and after many challenges, they finally have a cohesive troop they don’t want to disrupt.

Once Luka and Lucifer have passed, there will be the opportunity to bring in more chimpanzees (male and female). Breeding from Chiku and Kendi would be a double up of genes, so I think it’s more likely Chiku will transfer out; with a new male/males imported to breed with Kendi and at least one other imported female. If Sanda is still alive, they could import two females from overseas without disadvantaging Kendi in her introduction to them (or bring in two unrelated females from two different troops).


If their destination is Wellington, Monarto or Taronga; then Chiku and Kendi would be better off transferring as a pair. I mention Taronga as a demographic example as they descend from Lulu (mother of Lucy), who is well represented at Taronga via Lubutu.

Like I say, Rockhampton is really the only destination Chiku would go alone; and I’ve long anticipated Sembe will transfer there from Taronga’s troop. She’s reportedly struggling to find her place and would benefit from going somewhere she can breed.

Personally, I don't see Hamilton's young females going to Monarto, especially if Happy turns out to be Tsotsi's son. Are there any related males at Taronga that might prevent them being transferred there?