Australasian Western Lowland Gorilla Population

[Jambo]

I would like to see the young Melbourne female transferred to Mogo!

That's a possibility although I doubt Melbourne would move Kipenzi elsewhere until they start to grow their numbers back up again.

The only place I can see Kipenzi leaving too is to Taronga, in swap for two of their girls. However from what's been mentioned, it appears their group is living quite cohesively so I doubt they would break them up in that case.

More likely - Melbourne are planning to acquire a pair of females from overseas. With Kipenzi remaining at Melbourne as a non breeding female for the foreseeable. She's not genetically valuable so there's no real rush to breed from her.

 

[Zoofan15]

Thanks for this information! Also, according to this, Kipenzi, Kaius and Kendi are related to Fataki and Fuzu at Orana Wildlife Park!

That’s correct:

Kibabu sired Fataki, Fuzu and Kipenzi.

Kipezni is the mother of Kaius and Kendi.

Kibabu was also the sire of Kimya at Melbourne Zoo (mother of Kanzi).

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

Regionally, it too is also the name of Dubbo's youngest hippo!

I had hoped that some other names mentioned in the initial comment section of Keeper Chad's post would have won. There were a few very unique names. Although I'm still glad they're continuing the naming trend in this instance - Kendi is still a great choice meaning 'loved one' in Swahili.

I agree - it's nice to see the tradition continued, since NZ zoos don't seem to be adhering to it as often - the last time the naming tradition for a great ape in NZ seems to have been used was for chimpanzee Kitwe at Wellington Zoo (named by Dr. Jane Goodall herself!)

From what I've seen, though, the trend is for regionally appropriate names in NZ these days rather than standard "people" names such as Charlie and Sally, and Swahili seems to be the most frequently used language for African animal names.

 

[Jambo]

Thanks for this information! Also, according to this, Kipenzi, Kaius and Kendi are related to Fataki and Fuzu at Orana Wildlife Park!

Fataki and Fuzu are related to most of the gorillas regionally. Also Kanzi at Melbourne via her mother, Kimya, who was a half sibling of both Fataki and Fuzu. And also every individual at Taronga besides Kibale and Johari.

 

[Zoofan15]

I agree - it's nice to see the tradition continued, since NZ zoos don't seem to be adhering to it as often - the last time the naming tradition for a great ape in NZ seems to have been used was for chimpanzee Kitwe at Wellington Zoo (named by Dr. Jane Goodall herself!)

From what I've seen, though, the trend is for regionally appropriate names in NZ these days rather than standard "people" names such as Charlie and Sally, and Swahili seems to be the most frequently used language for African animal names.

The tradition continues strong across most zoos holding great apes in the region. Taronga’s chimpanzees are all named with their mother’s initial; Monarto have done it for Zola and Zuri (offspring of Zombi); and Hope and Happy (offspring of Hannah) within their chimpanzee troop in recent years.

 

[Jambo]

From what I've seen, though, the trend is for regionally appropriate names in NZ these days rather than standard "people" names such as Charlie and Sally, and Swahili seems to be the most frequently used language for African animal names.

Swahili is a quite popular East African language, so is commonly used as a lot of the African animals we have here in zoos originate from that region of Africa.

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

The tradition continues strong across most zoos holding great apes in the region. Taronga’s chimpanzees are all named with their mother’s initial; Monarto have done it for Zola and Zuri (offspring of Zombi); and Hope and Happy (offspring of Hannah) within their chimpanzee troop in recent years.

If I remember correctly, Hope and Happy were also named by Jane Goodall! I'm glad the tradition is still continuing, at least in Australian zoos (though I do wonder why Monarto's young male Enzi was an exception?)

And it looks like Kisane and Kipenzi bred very soon after Kaius - is this usual for gorillas, or is this influenced by Kaius being hand-reared for a time, I wonder?

 

[Jambo]

If I remember correctly, Hope and Happy were also named by Jane Goodall! I'm glad the tradition is still continuing, at least in Australian zoos (though I do wonder why Monarto's young male Enzi was an exception?)

And it looks like Kisane and Kipenzi bred very soon after Kaius - is this usual for gorillas, or is this influenced by Kaius being hand-reared for a time, I wonder?

Hope and Happy were indeed both named by Jane Goodall during her 2019 visit to Monarto. She gave the name 'Happy' for Hannah's next infant at the same time - and Happy himself was born three years later.

In regards to Enzi, his name whilst not following the tradition specifically still references the first letter of his mother's name; 'En-Z'. It's in the pronunciation.

It's also not usual for female gorillas to conceive that shortly after giving birth. Usually it's only a few years without ovulating, allowing time to nurse and care for the previous offspring. However as Kaius was hand raised, Kipenzi would've returned into season much sooner.

 

[Zoofan15]

If I remember correctly, Hope and Happy were also named by Jane Goodall! I'm glad the tradition is still continuing, at least in Australian zoos (though I do wonder why Monarto's young male Enzi was an exception?)

And it looks like Kisane and Kipenzi bred very soon after Kaius - is this usual for gorillas, or is this influenced by Kaius being hand-reared for a time, I wonder?

I’ve always thought that Enzi not following the naming convention of his family line was due to him being a male as Soona’s infant (Boon) was similarly not given an S name, only a name that referenced her nickname. While the zoo are following the female dispersal method, its females who extend the family line (as paternity isn’t acknowledged via relationships in this species).

3-5 years is a common birth interval between mother raised gorilla infants; but the shorter birth interval can be attributed to Kaius being handraised. Theoretically, Kipenzi could have produced another infant within 12 months - indicating a brief period of contraception to allow her to recover and for a follow up breeding rec to be issued.

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

I’ve always thought that Enzi not following the naming convention of his family line was due to him being a male as Soona’s infant (Boon) was similarly not given an S name, only a name that referenced her nickname. While the zoo are following the female dispersal method, its females who extend the family line (as paternity isn’t acknowledged via relationships in this species).

3-5 years is a common birth interval between mother raised gorilla infants; but the shorter birth interval can be attributed to Kaius being handraised. Theoretically, Kipenzi could have produced another infant within 12 months - indicating a brief period of contraception to allow her to recover and for a follow up breeding rec to be issued.

@Jambo Thanks for clarifying re the chimp names. I did wonder if that might be the reason for the Monarto chimps' names - it does look likely that they though Enzi counted because it contains a Z, although it doesn't start with Z.

@Zoofan15 And thanks for the information re birth intervals for gorillas - the pattern seems similar to chimpanzees and bonobos (4-5 years) with the more solitary orangutans taking longer to breed. Although sometimes there have been shorter birth intervals in captive apes than there would be in the wild.

 

[Zoofan15]

Thanks for clarifying re the chimp names. I did wonder if that might be the reason for the Monarto chimps' names - it does look likely that they though Enzi counted because it contains a Z, although it doesn't start with Z.

And thanks for the information re birth intervals for gorillas - the pattern seems similar to chimpanzees and bonobos (4-5 years) with the more solitary orangutans taking longer to breed. Although sometimes there have been shorter birth intervals in captive apes than there would be in the wild.

I guess one could argue the female offspring that disperse having their mother’s initial pays homage to their birthplace - like how Auckland Zoo often gave its hippopotami and giraffe calves Māori names; or how Taronga Zoo named many of its giraffe calves after suburbs in Sydney. It’d appear more useful to have those retained in their natal troop share an initial as a way to track lineages (Melbourne do this with their baboons); but anyone working with them would no the lineages in their sleep (we certainly do) - and ZIMS and other identifiers arguably make the whole tracking lineages thing redundant anyway.

I often feel like zoos exaggerate the birth interval of orangutans, which can be as short as 3-5 years in captivity. Wild birth intervals would be longer; but zoos often replicate the wild intervals as a way to stagger breeding. Auckland even took it as far as saying they planned to breed from their colony every 6-8 years (not each female) in the lead up to Dara’s ill-fated birth in 2000.

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

I guess one could argue the female offspring that disperse having their mother’s initial pays homage to their birthplace - like how Auckland Zoo often gave its hippopotami and giraffe calves Māori names; or how Taronga Zoo named many of its giraffe calves after suburbs in Sydney. It’d appear more useful to have those retained in their natal troop share an initial as a way to track lineages (Melbourne do this with their baboons); but anyone working with them would no the lineages in their sleep (we certainly do) - and ZIMS and other identifiers arguably make the whole tracking lineages thing redundant anyway.

I often feel like zoos exaggerate the birth interval of orangutans, which can be as short as 3-5 years in captivity. Wild birth intervals would be longer; but zoos often replicate the wild intervals as a way to stagger breeding. Auckland even took it as far as saying they planned to breed from their colony every 6-8 years (not each female) in the lead up to Dara’s ill-fated birth in 2000.

That makes a lot of sense, both to naming conventions and breeding intervals.

With birth intervals in great apes in zoos in particular, a lot would have to do with the females themselves and with the breeding programme recommendations as to who is on contraception and who is taken off it. From what I've heard, Auckland Zoo weren't planning to breed again from Bornean orangutan Melur and were even planning to phase out Bornean orangutans (hence the long gap between the births of Bahmi and Madju) - Melur was allowed to conceive in 2021 when the import of 2 females from the Czech Republic fell through.

It will be interesting to see, as far as the gorillas go, if there will be further breeding recommendations - as we've discussed elsewhere, it could be very possible to allow Frala to breed one last time.

 

[Zorro]

Great Apes are a notable gap in Australia Zoo’s collection. They were planning to exhibit both orangutans and and gorillas in the 2000’s and in 2007, it was even reported construction had begun on an island habitat for gorillas, beginning with a moat being dug out.

These plans were scrapped and it became a melting pot of low-key species now known as ‘Bindi’s Island.’

The former website that stated the zoo wanted to build the worlds largest Gorilla exibit came to zero and yes Steve wanted Orangs in the collection so I can't for the life of me understand how they kept saying that they "were keeping Steves dream alive". Australia zoo had lots of ideas and plans that never came to life it's a real shame it could have been huge under his directorship!

 

[Zoofan15]

That makes a lot of sense, both to naming conventions and breeding intervals.

With birth intervals in great apes in zoos in particular, a lot would have to do with the females themselves and with the breeding programme recommendations as to who is on contraception and who is taken off it. From what I've heard, Auckland Zoo weren't planning to breed again from Bornean orangutan Melur and were even planning to phase out Bornean orangutans (hence the long gap between the births of Bahmi and Madju) - Melur was allowed to conceive in 2021 when the import of 2 females from the Czech Republic fell through.

It will be interesting to see, as far as the gorillas go, if there will be further breeding recommendations - as we've discussed elsewhere, it could be very possible to allow Frala to breed one last time.

Yes, especially when the Apenheul troop first came to Australia, there was a strong push to breed from Frala over the other females. She had two infants (sadly both non-surviving) in 1998 and 1999; while Mouila and Kriba were placed on contraception before returning to cycle after their 1996 infants. Presumably to give her a break (and to take stock in the region with Melbourne’s troop producing three infants from 1999-2000), Frala was placed back on contraception - but allowed to breed again in conjunction with Mouila (who had by then gone six years without producing an infant) in 2002, with them each welcoming a surviving infant in 2003.

It’ll be interesting to see what the future holds regarding a possible reshuffle of the Taronga/Melbourne troops and the possibility of new females for each. There’s an expectation for Australasian zoos to manage their own surplus, which will continue to restrict breeding to a degree.

 

[Zoofan15]

The former website that stated the zoo wanted to build the worlds largest Gorilla exibit came to zero and yes Steve wanted Orangs in the collection so I can't for the life of me understand how they kept saying that they "were keeping Steves dream alive". Australia zoo had lots of ideas and plans that never came to life it's a real shame it could have been huge under his directorship!

I’m so disappointed Australia Zoo’s Great Ape Islands never came to fruition. Steve Irwin had a good working relationship with Damian Aspinall from Howletts and it would have come to no surprise to have seen an established Howletts troop come to Australia, which could in turn have bolstered numbers in the region to this day.

The overall lack of breeding not only means a lack of surplus females to supplement troops like Melbourne which have been reduced to one; but a lack of options for males to be recruited into bachelor troops if their natal troop doesn’t provide diffident numbers for this to occur.

 

[Zorro]

I’m so disappointed Australia Zoo’s Great Ape Islands never came to fruition. Steve Irwin had a good working relationship with Damian Aspinall from Howletts and it would have come to no surprise to have seen an established Howletts troop come to Australia, which could in turn have bolstered numbers in the region to this day.

The overall lack of breeding not only means a lack of surplus females to supplement troops like Melbourne which have been reduced to one; but a lack of options for males to be recruited into bachelor troops if their natal troop doesn’t provide diffident numbers for this to occur.

Almost as disappointing was Adelaide zoo sudden U turn on establishing a Gorilla troop that would have have gave the current population a much need boost. There needs to be another couple of holders within the region its hamstrung having so few holders here!

 

[Zoofan15]

Almost as disappointing was Adelaide zoo sudden U turn on establishing a Gorilla troop that would have have gave the current population a much need boost. There needs to be another couple of holders within the region it’s hamstrung having so few holders here!

At a minimum it would be good to see Taronga push ahead with a new complex to accomodate a breeding and bachelor troops; and long term, see Mogo manage a bachelor troop (perhaps formed around Kisane, Kaius and any more sons born in the breeding troop).

From there, Orana could easily accomodate a second bachelor troop in the other half of their exhibit (assuming integration with Fataki/Fuzu wasn’t possible).

Taronga Breeding
Taronga Bachelor

Melbourne Breeding
Werribee Bachelor

Mogo Breeding
Mogo Bachelor

Orana Bachelor
Orana Bachelor

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

I’m so disappointed Australia Zoo’s Great Ape Islands never came to fruition. Steve Irwin had a good working relationship with Damian Aspinall from Howletts and it would have come to no surprise to have seen an established Howletts troop come to Australia, which could in turn have bolstered numbers in the region to this day.

The overall lack of breeding not only means a lack of surplus females to supplement troops like Melbourne which have been reduced to one; but a lack of options for males to be recruited into bachelor troops if their natal troop doesn’t provide diffident numbers for this to occur.

I too am disappointed that Australia Zoo's plans for gorillas fell through, and that orangutans were never obtained (despite Steve Irwin's professed love for them - that video of a sanctuary orangutan and her infant are iconic for a reason). If I remember correctly, the only primate species they currently hold is lemurs (ring-tailed, I think) which is a disappointing showing as primates, particularly the great apes, are often among the chief attractions at zoos.

 

[Zoofan15]

I too am disappointed that Australia Zoo's plans for gorillas fell through, and that orangutans were never obtained (despite Steve Irwin's professed love for them - that video of a sanctuary orangutan and her infant are iconic for a reason). If I remember correctly, the only primate species they currently hold is lemurs (ring-tailed, I think) which is a disappointing showing as primates, particularly the great apes, are often among the chief attractions at zoos.

Australia Zoo could well have established themselves as one of the breeding hubs for gorillas in the region has the plans come to fruition. They got to the construction phase (excavation of the moat) in 2007; but shortly after, the plans were changed to build ‘Bindi’s Island’ which is widely criticised by ZooChatters for lacking any sort of cohesive theme.

You’re correct that Australia Zoo just have Ring-tailed lemurs. Lacking great apes is one thing, but they don’t even have any of the numerous small monkey species housed at Wildlife HQ. Wildlife HQ have Hamadryas baboons, Siamang, Northern-white cheeked gibbon, Night monkey, Black and white ruffed lemur, Ring-tailed lemur and numerous small monkey species (tamarins, marmosets etc).

 

[Zorro]

I too am disappointed that Australia Zoo's plans for gorillas fell through, and that orangutans were never obtained (despite Steve Irwin's professed love for them - that video of a sanctuary orangutan and her infant are iconic for a reason). If I remember correctly, the only primate species they currently hold is lemurs (ring-tailed, I think) which is a disappointing showing as primates, particularly the great apes, are often among the chief attractions at zoos.

I recall some years ago they had some (perhaps a pair) of cotton Top Tamarins I don't think they were on exhibit. They did have a trio? of Black and white Ruffled Lemurs for a while not even sure if they have them anymore. I don't recall that they ever bred them I think a male might have been imported from France!