Chimpanzee Transfers and Overseas Import
Hugely exciting news that a 12 year old female chimpanzee is soon to be imported from South Korea.
In addition, transfers between Rockhampton and Sydney Zoo will provide breeding opportunities for both troops, which could see Sydney Zoo breed for the first time. It’s great to see Alon and Leakey’s valuable genetics will now be put to use with other individuals within the region given they now have two offspring together.
Rockhampton Zoo announces important changes to chimpanzee troop
As part of a carefully considered plan, Rockhampton Zoo’s chimpanzees, Leakey and her three-year-old infant, Mzuri, will be transferred to Sydney Zoo. In their place, two female chimpanzees will join the Rockhampton troop in the near future.
Rockhampton Zoo will then welcome an 18-year-old female chimpanzee from Sydney Zoo soon after, with a 12-year-old female from Seoul joining the troop in the first half of next year.
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Rockhampton to Sydney:
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Leakey (30/12/1994) Chuck x Lilli; Imported 2015
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Mzuri (08/12/2021) Alon x Leakey
Sydney to Rockhampton:
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Sile (03/07/2006) Unknown x Julchen; Imported 2019
Huge moves upcoming for both facilities! Thought I'd offer some insight into the upcoming moves.
Going back a few years, there was recognition that Rockhampton was in need of new females following Holly's passing and Samantha being removed from the breeding program (due to her miscarriages). It was also acknowledged additional males would be required as well with Cassius ageing.
International importing was considered but not supported, so individuals within the region were the only theoretical options at the time. The initial plan was to acquire another male and three females. The male was to arrive first with two females following in year intervals. The final female would then be added (if required) a little further down the line. This was also taking into account the future transfers of both Capri and Mzuri out, and Leakey only potentially breeding once or twice more due to her age.
Jerry was the perfect candidate for Rockhampton, being a middle aged, submissive natured male who was also castrated (which wouldn't interfere with Alon's breeding). Although introductions initially progressed well, a roadblock was hit upon his introduction to Leakey who showed high levels of aggression towards him. Keepers aren't willing to risk any serious, potentially fatal injuries, as Jerry doesn't fight back. It's believed Leakey perceives Jerry as a female, due to him being castrated and his placid nature. He's also since adopted young Gandali too. She also allows him to interact with young Mzuri; so that obviously rules out any concerns of him being a physical threat. It's therefore likely she perceives him as more of a social threat.
As a result, Leakey has been separated with her youngest infant, Mzuri, for a while now. She hasn't reacted well to this change, so a move is essential as housing her in a pair with her infant isn't feasible long term for her welfare.
Over at Sydney, their troop is deemed to be the ideal destination for Leakey and Mzuri. The troop is demographically older, and the individuals themselves are some of the most relaxed chimps. Disputes and aggression are rare, so there's confidence Leakey and Mzuri will be able to integrate well. Being an entirely new troop with new individuals, Leakey shouldn't display the same aggression towards them. The males are also mostly older and gentle natured, so there's confidence in that aspect that they'll look after Leakey. Having an infant in Sydney's troop is also something that a lot of keepers are looking forward too. Being a group on the older side, it's hoped this will also benefit them socially.
With Leakey leaving, the previous plan I outlined before has had to be modified and two females will now be acquired (one from Sydney and one from Korea), as mentioned. Their arrivals will hopefully help balance out the social structure (which will otherwise be without an adult female), and this will also hopefully help them integrate seamlessly.
These two younger females will get the opportunity to breed with Alon, providing complacency for Rockhampton's troop long term. Having two babies at once will also be quite beneficial for the troop who's had some misfortunes in that aspect in the past. The two females being acquired are also unrelated to the rest of the regions breeding population, so pairing them up with Alon (another valuable male), will present more desirable genetically valuable offspring for the region in the future.
Being younger, these females will also be able to breed for a longer period (compared to Leakey). It's hoped Alon will also benefit socially, finally getting the chance to interact with chimps his age. They'll be introduced to Alon when cycling, to guarantee positive interactions from the beginning.
In regards to introductions, the female from Sydney (Sile) already knows Jerry, so it's hoped this will help with her introductions to the troop. She's a very placid female. The female from Korea is also very relaxed by nature, and her age will also hopefully prevent any negative introductions, coming in as a submissive female to a troop with a relatively youthful demographic.
On the genetics side of things, Alon and Leakey are also related so two infants are sufficient. Being the offspring of two founders, it's also essential Leakey's genetic line is diversified; she'll get this opportunity at Sydney.
In regards to the timeline, Leakey and Mzuri will be swapped with Sile hopefully before the end of this year, assuming all goes well. The female from Seoul will also hopefully arrive in the first half of 2025. She will be quarantined in Adelaide, along with a male that Sydney will be obtaining to become their new breeding male.
