Hence the seeming phase-out.
Chimpanzees in the UK
- Thread starter ShonenJake13
- Start date
Hence the seeming phase-out.
That generalised assumption is not supported by facts on the ground.
The European verus population was around 200-250 individuals in 1994 and at the outset it was found that a majority of the chimpanzees in European zoos (and elsewhere given the illegal animal trade) had been imported from West Africa and Sierra Leone. The program in Europe is an EEP and cooperation with other regions like AZA, JAZA, ZAA, ALPZA, PAAZA and SEAZA is encouraged.
The status of the 2014 population was like this:
P. t. verus population 233 (86.145.2) individuals potentially available for breeding
(excluding neutered animals [10.6.0] and 0.1 STLV positive)
P. t. troglodytes
P.t. troglodytes 40 (15.25.0) in the EEP plus 6 (4.2.0) in the Europe outside the EEP
effectively 35 (11.24.0) (with 4.1.0 sterile)
Hybrid/unknowns/ not yet managed and all monitored
184.293.1 (478) presently managed as non-breeding individuals in mixed groups preferably with breeding animals. The population consists of identified hybrids, individuals which have not yet been assigned to a subspecies and those belonging to P.t. schweinfurthii or P.t. ellioti.
The break down is like this:
P. t. schweinfurhtii 6 (0.6.0)
P. t. ellioti 1 (1.0)
P. t. schweinfurthii or P. t. troglodytes 6 (2.4, tested by new method)
Subspecific hybrids 228 (91.136.1)
Undetermined subspecies 237 (90.147.0, test as necessary)
The managed population stood at P.t. verus population (31,03%) and P.t. troglodytes (5,33%) overall 36,35% and adding on those identified but not yet part of the breeding program at 38,08$. Those yet to be assigned to subspecies at 31,56% ...
The monitored population of subspecific hybrids was substantial at another third (30,36%), yet those yet to be assigned to subspecies or hybrid status the last third (31,56%).
CONCLUSION:
The number of pure-bred P.t. verus in Europe was a third of the entire population and so is in fact quite substantial and the number of chimpanzees yet to be assigned was also substantial at over 30%.
The hybrid population is managed to extinction and phase out (most are contracepted or neutered). This population will die out over time as most are now in the older age classes or most of the last hybrids pre-date 2009.
Now with a third of the entire population in 2014 not yet assigned any status and a third identified as pure-bred P.t. verus it makes absolute sense given its critical status that assurance colonies of the subspecies are managed and maintained ex situ. Now the situation in Europe has seen much effort in trying to assign genetic status to its entire population.
It is something that other reasons may be well advised to follow with a tradition of chimpanzee breeding of old with a mix of known locale chimpanzees and those bred in captivity with paternity known and research tools in place to determine subspecific or hybrid status.
From all regions Africa has the biggest potential as huge numbers of confiscated chimpanzees are maintained in rehabilitation centers with chimpanzees with known origins that could be easily identified to subspecies level and are already part of the well run ex situ husbandry and rehabilitation PASA network allover the Continent. It would be not too difficult to do research the subspecies genetics for the PASA network.
For other regions: I know the Australian zoos pretty much remain unconcerned with subspecific status and happily add to the hybrid issue. What the current policy is like in the US is anybody's guess, yet it would be helpful. Indications are that in Japan an effort is being made (and where I believe recently Tokyo Tama Zoo confirmed their chimpanzees were in fact P.t. verus too and would probably be part of the managed population with EAZA/EEP.
As an encore the UK population (according to the 2014 EEP studbook data):
Bear with me: It has been difficult making sense of the last listing produced here and separatie according to sex and establishing last assignment under the 2014 EEP studbook data. So it might have some inconsistencies yet.
Belfast Zoo 0.5
FF Kim (P.t. indeterminate)
Phoebe Sophie Lucy Pixie (P.t. hybrid)
Blair Drummond Safari Park and Adventure Park: 0.2
FF Chippy ( P.t. verus), Jill (P.t. Sierra Leone)
Chester Zoo 6,13
MM Boris, Friday, Dylan, Eric, Carlos (P.t. verus)
Jeff (P.t. unknown)
FF Rosie, Farthing, Mandy, Sally, Layla, Zee Zee, Vila (Krefeld), Patti (P.t. verus)
Nicky, Alice, Chrissie (P.t. hybrid)
Stevie, Annie, Toyah (P.t. unknown)
Colchester Zoo: 0.5
FF Tara, Tombe, Kora, Tumba, Talia (P.t. hybrid)
Dudley Zoo: 0.6 (0.7?)
FF Fanny Mandy Barbie, Binti Mali Banika (P.t. indeterminate)
Malaika (P.t. hybrid)
Edinburgh Zoo: 7.8
MM King Louis, Rene, Paul, Freek, Velu (P.t. verus)
Qafzeh (P.t. troglodytes)
Liberius (P.t. hybrid)
FF Sophie, Lianne, Heleen (P.t. verus)
Lucy, Eva, Kilimi, Edith (P.t. hybrid)
Masindi (P.t. indeterminate)
Twycross Zoo: 6.6
MM Kibali (P.t. verus)
Jambo Flynn Jomar Peter (P.t. hybrid)
Tommy (P.t. indeterminate)
FF Coco, Josie (P.t. verus)
Samantha (P.r. schweinfurthii)
Holly, Victoria, Tuli (P.t. hybrid)
Wales Ape and Monkey Sanctuary: 5.1
M Ronny (P.t. verus),
Toto (W.Africa), Bili, Twmi Fergus (P.t. indeterminate)
FF Nakima (P.t. indeterminate)
Welsh Mountain Zoo: 1.6 + 0.0.2
M Sixpence, (P.t. verus)
FF Mabel Menolly (GERMANY), Tuppence, (P.t. verus)
Jill Katie, Euro (P.t. hybrid)
Jessie (P.t. indeterminate)
Rupee Dalasi (????)
Wingham Wildlife Park: 2.6
MM Fritz, Lucas (P.t. verus),
FF Tara, Georgia, Agatha, Elvira, Faye (P.t. verus),
Elizabeth (????)
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo: 3.2
MM Phil, Grant (P.t. troglodytes)
Elvis (P.t. indeterminate),
FF Bonnie (P.t. troglodytes)
Koko (P.t. indeterminate)
Zoos that breed with their West African chimpanzees and following the guidelines and criteria for P.t. verus/troglodytes from EAZA/EEP studbook are Chester, Edinburgh and the Welsh Mountain Zoo and Wingham Wildlife Park. In this respect, Twycross does have P.t. verus, yet also an older P.t. schweinfurthi (non reproductive/contracepted) and is a bit an odd one out where ex situ breeding is concerned. Blair Drummond has older range P.t. verus (the Sierra Leone female is most probably true verus).
The other zoo with identified pure-breds is Whipsnade with some common chimp P.t. troglodytes. The peculiarity here is that London/Whipsnade long ago contracepted/neutered their pure-breds (if only they had not...). This group has another representative at Edinburgh (also neutered...).
All other locations are basically working to phase out chimpanzees and do not breed their chimps (Belfast and Colchester). Where for some collections that is fine, it is somewhat disheartening that quite a few have yet to assign a subspecific/hybrid status to their chimps (Belfast, Colchester). Dudley does the same with an all female group, yet their chimps have not been tested (or have they tested as hybrids).
CONCLUSION:
If not yet done it would be imperative to fix the problem with the indeterminates / generics and have them tested for genetics and paternity A.S.A.P. in order to establish whether there are / were actually some more pure-breds or more hybrids within the population.
Long term it would seem probable that UK only deals with P.t. verus ex situ breeding. If individuals are found with assignment to one of the other 3 subspecies it begs the question what policy change next.
Bear with me: It has been difficult making sense of the last listing produced here and separatie according to sex and establishing last assignment under the 2014 EEP studbook data. So it might have some inconsistencies yet.
Belfast Zoo 0.5
FF Kim (P.t. indeterminate)
Phoebe Sophie Lucy Pixie (P.t. hybrid)
Blair Drummond Safari Park and Adventure Park: 0.2
FF Chippy ( P.t. verus), Jill (P.t. Sierra Leone)
Chester Zoo 6,13
MM Boris, Friday, Dylan, Eric, Carlos (P.t. verus)
Jeff (P.t. unknown)
FF Rosie, Farthing, Mandy, Sally, Layla, Zee Zee, Vila (Krefeld), Patti (P.t. verus)
Nicky, Alice, Chrissie (P.t. hybrid)
Stevie, Annie, Toyah (P.t. unknown)
Colchester Zoo: 0.5
FF Tara, Tombe, Kora, Tumba, Talia (P.t. hybrid)
Dudley Zoo: 0.6 (0.7?)
FF Fanny Mandy Barbie, Binti Mali Banika (P.t. indeterminate)
Malaika (P.t. hybrid)
Edinburgh Zoo: 7.8
MM King Louis, Rene, Paul, Freek, Velu (P.t. verus)
Qafzeh (P.t. troglodytes)
Liberius (P.t. hybrid)
FF Sophie, Lianne, Heleen (P.t. verus)
Lucy, Eva, Kilimi, Edith (P.t. hybrid)
Masindi (P.t. indeterminate)
Twycross Zoo: 6.6
MM Kibali (P.t. verus)
Jambo Flynn Jomar Peter (P.t. hybrid)
Tommy (P.t. indeterminate)
FF Coco, Josie (P.t. verus)
Samantha (P.r. schweinfurthii)
Holly, Victoria, Tuli (P.t. hybrid)
Wales Ape and Monkey Sanctuary: 5.1
M Ronny (P.t. verus),
Toto (W.Africa), Bili, Twmi Fergus (P.t. indeterminate)
FF Nakima (P.t. indeterminate)
Welsh Mountain Zoo: 1.6 + 0.0.2
M Sixpence, (P.t. verus)
FF Mabel Menolly (GERMANY), Tuppence, (P.t. verus)
Jill Katie, Euro (P.t. hybrid)
Jessie (P.t. indeterminate)
Rupee Dalasi (????)
Wingham Wildlife Park: 2.6
MM Fritz, Lucas (P.t. verus),
FF Tara, Georgia, Agatha, Elvira, Faye (P.t. verus),
Elizabeth (????)
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo: 3.2
MM Phil, Grant (P.t. troglodytes)
Elvis (P.t. indeterminate),
FF Bonnie (P.t. troglodytes)
Koko (P.t. indeterminate)
Zoos that breed with their West African chimpanzees and following the guidelines and criteria for P.t. verus/troglodytes from EAZA/EEP studbook are Chester, Edinburgh and the Welsh Mountain Zoo and Wingham Wildlife Park. In this respect, Twycross does have P.t. verus, yet also an older P.t. schweinfurthi (non reproductive/contracepted) and is a bit an odd one out where ex situ breeding is concerned. Blair Drummond has older range P.t. verus (the Sierra Leone female is most probably true verus).
The other zoo with identified pure-breds is Whipsnade with some common chimp P.t. troglodytes. The peculiarity here is that London/Whipsnade long ago contracepted/neutered their pure-breds (if only they had not...). This group has another representative at Edinburgh (also neutered...).
All other locations are basically working to phase out chimpanzees and do not breed their chimps (Belfast and Colchester). Where for some collections that is fine, it is somewhat disheartening that quite a few have yet to assign a subspecific/hybrid status to their chimps (Belfast, Colchester). Dudley does the same with an all female group, yet their chimps have not been tested (or have they tested as hybrids).
CONCLUSION:
If not yet done it would be imperative to fix the problem with the indeterminates / generics and have them tested for genetics and paternity A.S.A.P. in order to establish whether there are / were actually some more pure-breds or more hybrids within the population.
Long term it would seem probable that UK only deals with P.t. verus ex situ breeding. If individuals are found with assignment to one of the other 3 subspecies it begs the question what policy change next.
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I have done the listing for Monkey World separately. This is mainly bc the sanctuary has a management policy that differs from all other UK collections. I will explain later, for now suffice I had an attempt at sorting chimpanzees according to their source / origins (wild born approximate location, unknowns, captive born at other locations and born at MW).
Monkey World: 21.27
11 (Africa)+4 (UNK)+3 (CB) + 3 (MW) // 3 (VERUS), 11 (Africa), 3 (Congo), 2 (Nigeria) + 2 (UNK) + 2 (CB) + 4 (MW)
MM Busta, Micky, Butch, Kyko, Mojo, Rocky, Pacito, Paco, Gamba, Simon (African/Spain), Bryan (Africa/Cuba-Mexico),
Freddy (cb? UNK/Austria), Hananya (UNK/Israel), Carli (UNK USA/Turkey), Semach (UNK Israel),
Jestah, Buxom (cb. Bekesbourne), Arfur (cb. Windsor),
Seamus (cb. MW), Rodders (cb. MW), Bart (cb. MW),
Kangoo (????)
FF Valerie, Eveline, Marjoleine (P.t. verus)
Cindy, Beth, Peppa, Lola, Chatta, Cherri, Patricia (African/Spain), Athena (African/Circus) Honey (African/Dubai), Tutti (African/Saudi Arabia), Kiki (African/Lebanon),
Grisby, Cathy, Clin (Congo/France)
Zeynep, Kuki (Nigeria/Turkey)
Trudy (UNK/Chilworth), Lulu (UNK, Circus/Private),
Naree (????), Sasha (????),
Bixa (cb. Bekesbourne), Jess (cb. Windsor),
Johni (cb. MW), Eddi (cb. MW), Ash (cb. MW) Thelma (cb. MW, sire unknown)
Monkey World: 21.27
11 (Africa)+4 (UNK)+3 (CB) + 3 (MW) // 3 (VERUS), 11 (Africa), 3 (Congo), 2 (Nigeria) + 2 (UNK) + 2 (CB) + 4 (MW)
MM Busta, Micky, Butch, Kyko, Mojo, Rocky, Pacito, Paco, Gamba, Simon (African/Spain), Bryan (Africa/Cuba-Mexico),
Freddy (cb? UNK/Austria), Hananya (UNK/Israel), Carli (UNK USA/Turkey), Semach (UNK Israel),
Jestah, Buxom (cb. Bekesbourne), Arfur (cb. Windsor),
Seamus (cb. MW), Rodders (cb. MW), Bart (cb. MW),
Kangoo (????)
FF Valerie, Eveline, Marjoleine (P.t. verus)
Cindy, Beth, Peppa, Lola, Chatta, Cherri, Patricia (African/Spain), Athena (African/Circus) Honey (African/Dubai), Tutti (African/Saudi Arabia), Kiki (African/Lebanon),
Grisby, Cathy, Clin (Congo/France)
Zeynep, Kuki (Nigeria/Turkey)
Trudy (UNK/Chilworth), Lulu (UNK, Circus/Private),
Naree (????), Sasha (????),
Bixa (cb. Bekesbourne), Jess (cb. Windsor),
Johni (cb. MW), Eddi (cb. MW), Ash (cb. MW) Thelma (cb. MW, sire unknown)
