Australasian Western Lowland Gorilla Population

Tiger91 said:
For some reason I was always under the impression of taronga as having more females raging towards being older. But its been a while since I have actually looked at there ages. Im still hopeful that instead of building precincts taronga will focus on just building nice enclosures for its species, and the gorillas will get a new exhibit. An arboreal species doesn't need flat land, and the sloped areas of taronga that they can't use for other exhibits. Would make great exhibits for the gorillas and replicate mountainous terrain well.
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Taronga have always had quite a youthful group. In 1996, a troop of 10 was imported, which included the silverback Kibabu (then 19); his three females, Mouila (then 24), Kriba (then 17), and Frala (then 15); and their six offspring.

Kibabu, Mouila and Kriba were then transferred out in 2013.

Taronga now have the following adults:

1.0 Kibali (2001)
0.1 Frala (1981)
0. Johari (2000)
0.1 Mbeli (2003)

Johari is a behavioural non-breeder, so combined with Frala’s age; Mbeli is the effectively the only breeding female.
 
This has been an interesting discussion. Mogo would also benefit from additional females - Kriba and G-Anne (albeit not integrated with the breeding troop) are not getting any younger, and Kipenzi (who has produced one male infant, Kaius, so far) is the only female of breeding age.

At least according to Gorillas Galore (which sometimes has errors), Meisie's mother is the daughter of Bongo, so the half-sister of Kriba and Frala through their father, and thus the first cousin of their offspring in the region.

I didn't realise that there even would have been females able to be dispersed in Europe, but hopefully some of these might make it to Australia eventually.
 
Abbey said:
This has been an interesting discussion. Mogo would also benefit from additional females - Kriba and G-Anne (albeit not integrated with the breeding troop) are not getting any younger, and Kipenzi (who has produced one male infant, Kaius, so far) is the only female of breeding age.

At least according to Gorillas Galore (which sometimes has errors), Meisie's mother is the daughter of Bongo, so the half-sister of Kriba and Frala through their father, and thus the first cousin of their offspring in the region.

I didn't realise that there even would have been females able to be dispersed in Europe, but hopefully some of these might make it to Australia eventually.
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I believe G-Anne was integrated with the others when Kaius was introduced? I might have this wrong.

If not, it does indeed leave their troop in a precarious position as Kipenzi would be left as the only female of Kriba died. Kriba is also playing a vital role as surrogate mother to Kaius. She was an excellent mother to her own offspring; as was her mother, Mouila, so it comes as no surprise to see her continue to demonstrate her maternal instincts.
 
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Few more..

Yamila b. 2016, Madrid
Xetsa b. 2017, Frankfurt
Virunga b. 2016, Valencia
 
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Zoofan15 said:
I believe G-Anne was integrated with the others when Kaius was introduced? I might have this wrong.

If not, it does indeed leave their troop in a precarious position as Kipenzi would be left as the only female of Kriba died. Kriba is also playing a vital role as surrogate mother to Kaius. She was an excellent mother to her own offspring; as was her mother, Mouila, so it comes as no surprise to see her continue to demonstrate her maternal instincts.
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Yeah, I recall reading G-Anne was re-integrated with the group as well which is a positive. Although she had previously lived alone, it would've been beneficial to re-integrate with Kaius who had been providing her with company for a while.

Re. the precarious position all three zoos are in at the moment, imports have to be on the horizon. Each facility only has one breeding female at the moment; and it's intriguing no movements have been made as of yet regarding the males at Taronga moving out probably due to there being no facility to take them on. The lack of infants within the troop has likely bought them some time, but with Mjukee turning ten this year, Kibali's tolerance with them won't last much longer.

The same could be said with Kanzi. She has little breeding application within the region, so if imports can be organised perhaps she could be swapped to Europe for two females.
 
Jambo said:
Yeah, I recall reading G-Anne was re-integrated with the group as well which is a positive. Although she had previously lived alone, it would've been beneficial to re-integrate with Kaius who had been providing her with company for a while.

Re. the precarious position all three zoos are in at the moment, imports have to be on the horizon. Each facility only has one breeding female at the moment; and it's intriguing no movements have been made as of yet regarding the males at Taronga moving out probably due to there being no facility to take them on. The lack of infants within the troop has likely bought them some time, but with Mjukee turning ten this year, Kibali's tolerance with them won't last much longer.

The same could be said with Kanzi. She has little breeding application within the region, so if imports can be organised perhaps she could be swapped to Europe for two females.
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I’ve just come across this article from two days ago and it does indeed confirm G-Anne is integrated with the rest of the gorillas. Apparently Kipenzi was the cause of her initial failure to integrate into the troop:

The drama is real in the Mogo Wildlife Park gorilla enclosure | Riotact

It would be great if Sydney Zoo could take on Taronga’s adolescent males. Even if Taronga has plans to hold a bachelor troop and a breeding troop long term, this would give them a clean slate to recommence breeding. Fikiri’s death was a huge blow to the region, both demographically and genetically. I imagine she would have gone to Mogo or Melbourne in the future.

I’m tempted to say Kanzi would be of little value to Europe. Kimya’s three older sisters all have offspring throughout Europe and Otana is from a well represented Howlett’s line. Breeding in Europe has slowed, with several females in their teens and yet to breed versus 30-40 years ago, when nearly every female aged eight and older was being given the chance to breed.
 
You are all correct that G-Anne is reintegrated into Kisane's troop. While it was said that she was happy living on her own, this is probably best for all involved and I hope that it's a peaceful experience for her. I wonder if the troop has access to both enclosures or whether it's just the Epyptian geese (?) on display in what was G-Anne's enclosure.

That thought had crossed my mind too about Kanzi potentially being sent over to Europe. While she wouldn't necessarily be of genetic value to that region, I can see her possibly being sent as a swap (if females are imported).

For a troop like Blackpool (as an example), their current young females are the daughters of the silverback. If they were sent to Australia (to avoid breeding with their father), a female like Kanzi would provide an unrelated breeding partner. It would probably depend on the status of other females (ie Anguka and Safiri's daughters) and whether they need new homes or will be staying within their natal troops with her silverbacks.
 
Abbey said:
You are all correct that G-Anne is reintegrated into Kisane's troop. While it was said that she was happy living on her own, this is probably best for all involved and I hope that it's a peaceful experience for her. I wonder if the troop has access to both enclosures or whether it's just the Epyptian geese (?) on display in what was G-Anne's enclosure.

That thought had crossed my mind too about Kanzi potentially being sent over to Europe. While she wouldn't necessarily be of genetic value to that region, I can see her possibly being sent as a swap (if females are imported).

For a troop like Blackpool (as an example), their current young females are the daughters of the silverback. If they were sent to Australia (to avoid breeding with their father), a female like Kanzi would provide an unrelated breeding partner. It would probably depend on the status of other females (ie Anguka and Safiri's daughters) and whether they need new homes or will be staying within their natal troops with her silverbacks.
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It could be a good opportunity for Mogo to put their orangutans on display if there’s now a vacant great ape exhibit.

With the surplus of females in Europe, I doubt Kanzi would be required even from a demographic stand point, but I could be wrong.

Joas, Kijivu and Safiri all have multiple descendants throughout Europe. Kijivu has just given birth to her fifth offspring and has welcomed her first great-grandchild via Duni at Prague. Frala’s offspring are less represented. Shinda has produced a male infant, who was castrated; while Anguka also has a son, who is her sole surviving offspring. He’s a genetically valuable male through his paternal line as well, so will hopefully becoming a breeding silverback one day.
 
Osedax said:
It wouldn’t be just the Egyptian Geese; there are Wandering Whistling Ducks in there too!
I will be visiting Mogo in January, so will be able to find out if this is the case.
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You’ve just reminded me that chickens were added to the gorilla exhibit last year at Orana to provide enrichment for the gorillas. I wonder if Mogo would consider mixing the species in the event the gorillas were allowed access to both paddocks.

I hope Mogo’s troop remain cohesive long term. Given the disruption in the past with G-Anne and then Kaius requiring separation for an extended period, I can understand their reluctance to form a second troop all the time the second exhibit is needed as a contingency; but long term, its a reasonable likelihood a bachelor troop could be formed around Kaius and any male siblings born going forward.
 
john said:
La Vallee des Singes in France has some interesting future breeding males. Kibali should be a good candidate as the new breeding male at Sidney.
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I just found this post from 2010 (when researching Taronga's gorillas in the early 2010s when the troop was refreshed) and appreciated the ultimately correct prediction that the young male Kibali could potentially end up the silverback at Taronga.

@john, if you're still around, well done!
 
Abbey said:
I just found this post from 2010 (when researching Taronga's gorillas in the early 2010s when the troop was refreshed) and appreciated the ultimately correct prediction that the young male Kibali could potentially end up the silverback at Taronga.

@john, if you're still around, well done!
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It’s always fun trying to predict animal transfers in advance. Kibali has proved an excellent silverback, siring young to two females and accepting the hand-raised female, Johari, who I doubt would be tolerated by many other blackbacks/silverbacks.

The 2010’s were certainly eventful with Taronga, Melbourne and Mogo all importing males, who have all since sired young; and welcoming two three holders (Werribee, Mogo and Orana).

I’m excited for what the next few years hold, with the import of additional females widely predicted by many of us on here.
 
Zoofan15 said:
I’ve just come across this article from two days ago and it does indeed confirm G-Anne is integrated with the rest of the gorillas. Apparently Kipenzi was the cause of her initial failure to integrate into the troop:

The drama is real in the Mogo Wildlife Park gorilla enclosure | Riotact

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Let's hope G'Anne's reintegration into the group is more permanent this time- perhaps Kaius' presence will deflect Kipenzi's attention away from her.

Due to her background G.Anne has always been something of an outsider in all the groups she has been in. Jersey aquired her because they needed/wanted more females for their group and back then only a handraised female like her was available. I remember at Jersey, before she lost her hand, how she would march around the enclosure with a distinctly measured, rather elegant, gait. Coupled with her (then) slim physique and bright red head she certainly stood out from the other females.
 
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Howletts Founders

Australasia has three founders born at Howletts:

1.0 Kibabu (1977-2018) Taronga/Mogo
1.0 Otana (2001) Melbourne
1.0 Kisane (2006) Mogo

I thought it’d be interesting to research their ancestry:

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Kibabu (1977-2018):

1.0 Kibabu (1977) Kisoro x Baby Doll

Paternal line:

1.0 Kisoro (1961) Wild x Wild

Maternal line:

0.1 Baby Doll (1961) Wild x Wild

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Otana (2001):

1.0 Otana (2001) Kouillou x Tamba

Paternal line:

1.0 Kouillou (1983) Wild

Maternal line:

0.1 Tamba (1986) Bitam x Shamba
- 1.0 Bitam (1971) Wild x Wild
- 0.1 Shamba (1958) Wild x Wild

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Kisane (2006):

1.0 Kisane (2006) Djanghou x Sanki

Paternal line:

1.0 Djanghou (1993) Djala x Sangha
- 1.0 Djala (1982) Wild x Wild
- 0.1 Sangha (1985) Wild x Wild

Maternal line:

0.1 Sanki (1998) Kifu x Sounda
- 1.0 Kifu (1987) Kijo x Founda
- - 1.0 Kijo (1975) Kisoro x Juju
- - - 1.0 Kisoro (1971) Wild x Wild
- - - 0.1 Juju (1962) Wild x Wild
- - 0.1 Founa (1971) Wild x Wild
- 0.1 Sounda (1985) Wild x Wild

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In conclusion, Kibabu and Otana are of no relation to each other; while Kisane is a distant relation to Kibabu - his great-great grandfather (Kisoro) was Kibabu’s father:

Kisoro - Kibabu
Kisoro - Kijo - Kifu - Sanki - Kisane
 
Australasian Western Lowland Gorilla Population 2025

The population list has been revised to reflect two changes in social groupings over the past 12 months:

Fataki and Fuzu at Orana Wildlife Park are once again living as a cohesive pair, following reports they’d been separated

Mogo Wildlife Park have successfully managed the reintroduction of Kaius to his natal troop; along with senior female, G-Ann. The reintroduction had been a resounding success, with Kriba in particular proving a strong source of support to her grandson.

As we enter 2025, it’ll be interesting to see if Taronga facilitate a separation of their three adolescent males from the main troop.

Taronga Zoo:

1.0 Kibali (25/03/2001) Yaounde x Moseka; Imported 2012
0.1 Frala (14/06/1981) Bongo x Mintha; Imported 1996
0.1 Johari (26/04/2000) Motoba x Julia
0.1 Mbeli (05/02/2003) Kibabu x Mouila
1.0 Mjukuu (30/10/2014) Kibali x Mbeli
1.0 Fabumi (13/05/2015) Kibali x Frala
1.0 Mwamba (02/09/2017 Kibali x Mbeli

Melbourne Zoo:

1.0 Otana (28/01/2001) Kouillou x Tamba; Imported 2013
0.1 Kimya (12/01/2005) Kibabu x Kriba
0.1 Kanzi (14/03/2015) Otana x Kimya

Werribee Open Range Zoo:

1.0 Motaba (23/12/1983) Jambo x Nandi; Imported 1990
1.0 Yakini (28/11/1999) Motoba x Yuska
1.0 Ganyeka (29/04/2000) Motoba x G-Ann

Mogo Zoo:

1.0 Kisane (18/08/2006) Djanghou x Sanki; Imported 2019
0.1 G-Ann (08/06/1979) Moemba x Fern; Imported 1997
0.1 Kriba (09/08/1979) Bongo x Mouila; Imported 1996
0.1 Kipenzi (14/01/2011) Kibabu x Kriba
1.0 Kaius (21/10/2022) Kisane x Kipenzi

Orana Wildlife Park:

1.0 Fataki (24/05/2003) Kibabu x Frala
1.0 Fuzu (08/12/2007) Kibabu x Frala

Total regional population: 12.8
 
Birth announcement:

Kipenzi has given birth at Mogo Wildlife Park:

Well Kaius has a little brother or sister. Kipenzi gave birth 5 days ago and she is just doing such a great job.

The whole family is very settled and letting mum do her thing. Kriba (grandma) is keeping a close eye and generally just being there for Kipenzi, Kisane (dad) is being the perfect protector, watching over the family while Kipenzi takes care of their new baby.

Kaius is very curious and im sure looking forward to a little play mate. The family are enjoying some privacy so it’s not time to come see the new arrival just yet at @mogowildlifepark …. But won’t be long I will be sure to post heaps so you can follow along with this beautiful new arrival
 
Zoofan15 said:
Birth announcement:

Kipenzi has given birth at Mogo Wildlife Park:

Well Kaius has a little brother or sister. Kipenzi gave birth 5 days ago and she is just doing such a great job.

The whole family is very settled and letting mum do her thing. Kriba (grandma) is keeping a close eye and generally just being there for Kipenzi, Kisane (dad) is being the perfect protector, watching over the family while Kipenzi takes care of their new baby.

Kaius is very curious and im sure looking forward to a little play mate. The family are enjoying some privacy so it’s not time to come see the new arrival just yet at @mogowildlifepark …. But won’t be long I will be sure to post heaps so you can follow along with this beautiful new arrival
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Really awesome news; Mogo seem to be carrying the regional breeding program as of late (their two births now being the only two this decade).

This is her second offspring following Kaius's birth just over two years ago. I'm surprised to see she was given the opportunity to conceive again so quickly but I'd assume there's great importance in providing Kaius with a younger sibling which would really benefit him socially and contribute to his overall development following his hand rearing.

I'm additionally glad to see this birth wasn't as troubled as Kaius's was, and that Kipenzi is raising this new offspring herself. She's effectively served a sister role to Kaius, with Kriba mothering him so it would be good for her to finally have hands on experience with an offspring. Let's hope this little one is a girl!
 
Jambo said:
Really awesome news; Mogo seem to be carrying the regional breeding program as of late (their two births now being the only two this decade).

This is her second offspring following Kaius's birth just over two years ago. I'm surprised to see she was given the opportunity to conceive again so quickly but I'd assume there's great importance in providing Kaius with a younger sibling which would really benefit him socially and contribute to his overall development following his hand rearing.

I'm additionally glad to see this birth wasn't as troubled as Kaius's was, and that Kipenzi is raising this new offspring herself. She's effectively served a sister role to Kaius, with Kriba mothering him so it would be good for her to finally have hands on experience with an offspring. Let's hope this little one is a girl!
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Kipenzi was presumably placed on contraception until a breeding recommendation was issued and she received medical clearance to have another infant, as she could have otherwise delivered a second infant within 12 months of Kaius’ birth.

Had Kaius continued to be hand-reared, a second infant ASAP would have been advantageous as had that infant been rejected, they could have been peer-raised. Thankfully, Kaius has been successfully reintegrated; and his new sibling is being mother-raised.

In addition to the above, I suspect the plans for the reintegration of Kaius played a role in delaying Kipenzi conceiving. A new infant could have made both his parents less tolerant/receptive to him rejoining the troop. Betsy at Melbourne knocked out once of Buzandi’s teeth after he got too boisterous around his newborn sister!
 
It's good to see a new birth!. Hopefully a female. While not particularly genetically important. I dare say she would be able to be matched at either Melbourne or Taronga. Given there lack of imports of females which we need. A home bred one would go a long way to future breeding.
 
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