Australasian Western Lowland Gorilla Population

[Zoofan15]

It appears very obvious something should have been done a lot sooner the questions is why was this left to get to this stage?

I’m wondering if the previous issues with Otana exhibiting aggression towards Julia and G-Anne made them reluctant to rock the boat so to speak. The troop stabilised with Otana, Yuska, Kimya and Kanzi; and with Yuska’s advanced age, bringing in new females could have proved stressful for her.

That said, once Yuska died, it should have been full steam ahead to bring in more females.

 

[Jambo]

It appears very obvious something should have been done a lot sooner the questions is why was this left to get to this stage?

I’m wondering if the previous issues with Otana exhibiting aggression towards Julia and G-Anne made them reluctant to rock the boat so to speak. The troop stabilised with Otana, Yuska, Kimya and Kanzi; and with Yuska’s advanced age, bringing in new females could have proved stressful for her.

That said, once Yuska died, it should have been full steam ahead to bring in more females.

Melbourne never had a recommendation to import a female from the EEP, and there is/was limited stock regionally. I'm not sure whether there was any interest in ever obtaining any additional females - following the Julia incident. Being on the safe side and letting the group stabilise likely being viewed as the best option at the time.

There was also no recommendation for Kimya to breed from what I'm aware; likely due to representation on both her side and Otana's. So again, there was little reason to bring females in if they weren't going to breed.

 

[Pertinax]

Fullly agree. Otana fatally injured Julia (Johari’s mother) and evicted G-Anne from the troop. While it’s possible this was down to his inexperience, plenty of young males (including Kisane at Mogo) have exercised tolerance to socially deficient females.

Johari and G-Anne would surely be happy to occupy a place in Mogo’s troop on the periphery; with Kriba, Kipenzi and the infants forming the central clique.

I think that s the way I'd play it if I were them. Johari returning to Melbourne sounds like a recipe for a sad outcome or at best a poor existence for her. Kisane at Mogo seems a more tolerant male perhaps.

 

[Zoofan15]

I think that s the way I'd play it if I were them. Johari returning to Melbourne sounds like a recipe for a sad outcome or at best a poor existence for her. Kisane at Mogo seems a more tolerant male perhaps.

It would be a great shame to see history repeat itself through Johari, 10 years on from her mother’s tragic death. The zoo received endless criticism from the general public over the incident and we have sufficient background this time around to suggest this is a bad idea.

Johari would surely thrive in Mogo’s troop, where she wouldn’t be the only female on the periphery; and have three other females to divert the attention of the silverback away from her. I believe she’d genuinely enjoy the presence of the two infants as well.

Melbourne never had a recommendation to import a female from the EEP, and there is/was limited stock regionally. I'm not sure whether there was any interest in ever obtaining any additional females - following the Julia incident. Being on the safe side and letting the group stabilise likely being viewed as the best option at the time.

There was also no recommendation for Kimya to breed from what I'm aware; likely due to representation on both her side and Otana's. So again, there was little reason to bring females in if they weren't going to breed.

That’s correct. Kimya was on contraception from Kanzi’s infancy up until her death.

With no options for placing a theoretical son, it might have been considered wise to cease breeding after the first pregnancy yielded a healthy female, who could be retained indefinitely within the troop if no better options had come up.

 

[Zoofan15]

Gorilla Transfer

Taronga Zoo has disbanded their breeding troop, with the transfer of their three females to Melbourne Zoo.

The troops are now as follows:

Taronga Zoo:

1.0 Kibali (25/03/2001) Imported 2012
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) Imported 2013
0.1 Frala (14/06/1981) Imported 1996
0.1 Johari (26/04/2000) Motoba x Julia
0.1 Mbeli (05/02/2003) Kibabu x Mouila
0.1 Kanzi (14/03/2015) Otana x Kimya

 

[Zoofan15]

Gorilla Transfer

Taronga Zoo has disbanded their breeding troop, with the transfer of their three females to Melbourne Zoo.

The troops are now as follows:

Taronga Zoo:

1.0 Kibali (25/03/2001) Imported 2012
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) Imported 2013
0.1 Frala (14/06/1981) Imported 1996
0.1 Johari (26/04/2000) Motoba x Julia
0.1 Mbeli (05/02/2003) Kibabu x Mouila
0.1 Kanzi (14/03/2015) Otana x Kimya

With this transfer, the region now has three bachelor troops (Taronga, Werribee and Orana); and once Melbourne’s new arrivals have been integrated, there will two breeding troops (Melbourne and Mogo).

The path forward is quite clear:

Melbourne’s troop:

1.4 adults (1.1 breeding pair):

Otana and Mbeli will hopefully prove a successful breeding pair. Mbeli is a socially savvy female and competent mother. It would not surprise me to see her establish herself as Otana’s favourite female. While they will want to enable a sufficient settling in period, a breeding recommendation within the next 1-2 years wouldn’t be surprising.

Melbourne’s media release refers to Frala as an ‘old’ female, which implies she has been retired from the breeding programme as per what I was advised by Taronga keepers.

It’s not been confirmed if Johari will have an opportunity to breed, but this would appear ill-advised until she’s settled into the troop. The goal is presumably for Otana to accept her as a starting point and having her cycling (and rejecting his advances) could instigate conflict.

Kanzi is the daughter of the silverback and expected to remain in the troop (on contraception) for the foreseeable. Her only option within the region at present is to transfer to Mogo, which may happen once Kriba and/or G-Anne pass.

Mogo’s troop:

1.3 adults (1.1 breeding pair):

Kibale and Kipenzi are Mogo’s breeding pair, with a juvenile son and infant daughter. It’s possible Kipenzi will receive a breeding recommendation for her third offspring in 3-5 years, which like the last, will hopefully be mother raised.

Kriba and G-Anne have been retired from the breeding programme. G-Anne lives on the fringes of the troop; but Kriba (mother of Kipenzi) has found her niche as a surrogate mother of her grandson Kaius.

 

[Zorro]

With this transfer, the region now has three bachelor troops (Taronga, Werribee and Orana); and once Melbourne’s new arrivals have been integrated, there will two breeding troops (Melbourne and Mogo).

The path forward is quite clear:

Melbourne’s troop:

1.4 adults (1.1 breeding pair):

Otana and Mbeli will hopefully prove a successful breeding pair. Mbeli is a socially savvy female and competent mother. It would not surprise me to see her establish herself as Otana’s favourite female. While they will want to enable a sufficient settling in period, a breeding recommendation within the next 1-2 years wouldn’t be surprising.

Melbourne’s media release refers to Frala as an ‘old’ female, which implies she has been retired from the breeding programme as per what I was advised by Taronga keepers.

It’s not been confirmed if Johari will have an opportunity to breed, but this would appear ill-advised until she’s settled into the troop. The goal is presumably for Otana to accept her as a starting point and having her cycling (and rejecting his advances) could instigate conflict.

Kanzi is the daughter of the silverback and expected to remain in the troop (on contraception) for the foreseeable. Her only option within the region at present is to transfer to Mogo, which may happen once Kriba and/or G-Anne pass.

Mogo’s troop:

1.3 adults (1.1 breeding pair):

Kibale and Kipenzi are Mogo’s breeding pair, with a juvenile son and infant daughter. It’s possible Kipenzi will receive a breeding recommendation for her third offspring in 3-5 years, which like the last, will hopefully be mother raised.

Kriba and G-Anne have been retired from the breeding programme. G-Anne lives on the fringes of the troop; but Kriba (mother of Kipenzi) has found her niche as a surrogate mother of her grandson Kaius.

I would like to see if possible for Mogo to expand their Gorilla exhibit area as I believe they hold an important place in the scheme of things in the regional Gorilla program. I believe sooner or later the need to import more younger females is becoming more urgent as the current females both at Melbourne and Mogo age out.
As with the regions Orangs the Gorillas are hampered by the lack of real holders if Adelaide had gone with its master plan and built its brand new Gorilla exhibit things overall would have been in better shape than it currently is, Also if Australia zoo had also kept with the plan to hold Gorillas it of corse would of been even better but until we see more holders of breeding groups there will be a real need to import

 

[Abbey]

I would like to see if possible for Mogo to expand their Gorilla exhibit area as I believe they hold an important place in the scheme of things in the regional Gorilla program. I believe sooner or later the need to import more younger females is becoming more urgent as the current females both at Melbourne and Mogo age out.
As with the regions Orangs the Gorillas are hampered by the lack of real holders if Adelaide had gone with its master plan and built its brand new Gorilla exhibit things overall would have been in better shape than it currently is, Also if Australia zoo had also kept with the plan to hold Gorillas it of corse would of been even better but until we see more holders of breeding groups there will be a real need to import

Now that the troop is integrated, it's possible the gorillas at Mogo have access to both areas. Realistically, it would be best to retain two separate exhibits, just in case the troop does need to be split again in the future, although again realistically, a socially normal gorilla troop is going to stick together, so visitors might not be able to see gorillas in one side or the other at any time.

 

[Zoofan15]

I would like to see if possible for Mogo to expand their Gorilla exhibit area as I believe they hold an important place in the scheme of things in the regional Gorilla program. I believe sooner or later the need to import more younger females is becoming more urgent as the current females both at Melbourne and Mogo age out.
As with the regions Orangs the Gorillas are hampered by the lack of real holders if Adelaide had gone with its master plan and built its brand new Gorilla exhibit things overall would have been in better shape than it currently is, Also if Australia zoo had also kept with the plan to hold Gorillas it of corse would of been even better but until we see more holders of breeding groups there will be a real need to import

Mogo Wildlife Park are an interesting case as their females are aged 46, 46 and 14 years. Like you say, they need more females, which will become increasingly urgent once Kriba or G-Anne passes.

Considering Mogo’s previous unsuccessful attempts to import a female, I believe the strongest likelihood from here is for Kanzi to transfer across in 3-5 years. That will give sufficient time to assess whether Johari’s integration into Otana’s troop has worked (for want of a better word). It’s possible that like Julia and G-Anne, they’ll coexist without issue for a year or two until any issues bubble to the surface. In that case, the obvious solution would be to transfer Johari to Mogo.

While silverbacks transitioning into a bachelor troop with their adolescent sons is a typical method for forming a bachelor troop; overseas, unrelated males have been successfully integrated into pre-existing bachelor troops. I mention this as an avenue for Kaius (and any future sons of Otana) re. the bachelor troops at Werribee and Orana.

On that note, I could also well envisage Mogo establishing a bachelor troop (if not at Mogo then at Hunter Valley) to accomodate Kaius and any future half-brothers. Ultimately it’ll depend if any more male infants are forthcoming (from either Mogo or Melbourne’s troops).

 

[Osedax]

Now that the troop is integrated, it's possible the gorillas at Mogo have access to both areas. Realistically, it would be best to retain two separate exhibits, just in case the troop does need to be split again in the future, although again realistically, a socially normal gorilla troop is going to stick together, so visitors might not be able to see gorillas in one side or the other at any time.

The gorillas at Mogo do not have access to both areas as of January; they are only in the glass-fronted exhibit. The island is home to Egyptian Geese and Wandering Whistling Ducks.

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

Mogo Wildlife Park are an interesting case as their females are aged 46, 46 and 14 years. Like you say, they need more females, which will become increasingly urgent once Kriba or G-Anne passes.

Considering Mogo’s previous unsuccessful attempts to import a female, I believe the strongest likelihood from here is for Kanzi to transfer across in 3-5 years. That will give sufficient time to assess whether Johari’s integration into Otana’s troop has worked (for want of a better word). It’s possible that like Julia and G-Anne, they’ll coexist without issue for a year or two until any issues bubble to the surface. In that case, the obvious solution would be to transfer Johari to Mogo.

While silverbacks transitioning into a bachelor troop with their adolescent sons is a typical method for forming a bachelor troop; overseas, unrelated males have been successfully integrated into pre-existing bachelor troops. I mention this as an avenue for Kaius (and any future sons of Otana) re. the bachelor troops at Werribee and Orana.

On that note, I could also well envisage Mogo establishing a bachelor troop (if not at Mogo then at Hunter Valley) to accomodate Kaius and any future half-brothers. Ultimately it’ll depend if any more male infants are forthcoming (from either Mogo or Melbourne’s troops).

These are all very interesting updates! It will be fascinating to see how the new groups are going forward, and what the future of Orana's gorillas will be, since they currently hold only the two brothers Fataki and Fuzu.

 

[Zoofan15]

These are all very interesting updates! It will be fascinating to see how the new groups are going forward, and what the future of Orana's gorillas will be, since they currently hold only the two brothers Fataki and Fuzu.

With Taronga content to hold a bachelor troop of Kibale and his sons, all the surplus males are accommodated in the troops they’re in for the time and now, so my assumption is Orana will continue to hold the two bachelor males for the foreseeable (with Siamang in the adjacent second exhibit).

Long term, it’s a possibility that Orana could acquire more males; and of course if either Fataki or Fuzu died prematurely then that would provide a catalyst for change.

It’s also worth noting that with what we can take is confirmation Frala has been retired from the breeding programme, it’s possible one her sons will go into a breeding situation should the opportunity arise. Possibilities include the death of Fataki/Fuzu; or Fabumi graduating from the Taronga troop. Despite having nine infants, Frala is poorly represented through her offspring.

 

[Jambo]

These are all very interesting updates! It will be fascinating to see how the new groups are going forward, and what the future of Orana's gorillas will be, since they currently hold only the two brothers Fataki and Fuzu.

Re. Orana's gorillas, likely nothing in the meantime. Fuzu and Fataki have reintegrated and they should be able to remain together for the forseeable without issue. In saying that, they could look at integrating additional males in the long term. They do have the space.

Kaius at Mogo could eventually be an option, and any potential younger brothers he could end up having. The same could be said for a son of Otana and Mbeli (assuming the intention is for them to be paired up).

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

Re. Orana's gorillas, likely nothing in the meantime. Fuzu and Fataki have reintegrated and they should be able to remain together for the forseeable without issue. In saying that, they could look at integrating additional males in the long term. They do have the space.

Kaius at Mogo could eventually be an option, and any potential younger brothers he could end up having. The same could be said for a son of Otana and Mbeli (assuming the intention is for them to be paired up).

The current status quo at Orana does seem the most likely - this could change, though, as @Zoofan15 mentioned, if either Fataki or Fuzu passed away, which may not happen for quite some years. Younger males could be integrated then - with there being an incumbent silverback and the newcomers being blackbacks, it could indeed be doable.

Alternatively, with Frala being retired from the breeding programme but still having her line poorly represented, one of the two males at Orana could perhaps in future be chosen to move into a breeding situation and be transferred out, leaving a pathway for the remaining brother to become alpha of a new bachelor troop.

 

[Zoofan15]

The current status quo at Orana does seem the most likely - this could change, though, as @Zoofan15 mentioned, if either Fataki or Fuzu passed away, which may not happen for quite some years. Younger males could be integrated then - with there being an incumbent silverback and the newcomers being blackbacks, it could indeed be doable.

Alternatively, with Frala being retired from the breeding programme but still having her line poorly represented, one of the two males at Orana could perhaps in future be chosen to move into a breeding situation and be transferred out, leaving a pathway for the remaining brother to become alpha of a new bachelor troop.

While acknowledging financial constraints have been an issue for Orana Wildlife Park in the past, they’re making strides for change under new leadership and will hopefully have a more secure future. It would be great to see them house a breeding troop of gorillas in addition to a bachelor troop.

A fall out between Fataki and Fuzu could necessitate arrangements to be made so that neither is left in permanent isolation. Fataki, who has proved the most problematic, could head up a breeding troop; while Fuzu could either be joined by younger males to form a new bachelor troop or potentially go to Werribee depending on where their troop is at.

Frala’s (or more specifically Mintha’s) line is underrepresented compared to Mouila’s. Bizzarely Prague have her eldest daughter Shinda on contraception; while Kijivu (granddaughter of Mouila) has just had her fifth infant. Frala only has two surviving grandchildren and one has been castrated.

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

While acknowledging financial constraints have been an issue for Orana Wildlife Park in the past, they’re making strides for change under new leadership and will hopefully have a more secure future. It would be great to see them house a breeding troop of gorillas in addition to a bachelor troop.

A fall out between Fataki and Fuzu could necessitate arrangements to be made so that neither is left in permanent isolation. Fataki, who has proved the most problematic, could head up a breeding troop; while Fuzu could either be joined by younger males to form a new bachelor troop or potentially go to Werribee depending on where their troop is at.

Frala (or more specifically Mintha’s line) is underrepresented compared to Mouila’s. Bizzarely Prague have her eldest daughter Shinda on contraception; while Kijivu (granddaughter of Mouila) has just had her fifth infant.

I'm glad to hear that the new management has made progress and made things better for the animals at Orana. I would love to see a return to focus on great apes at the Great Ape Centre and perhaps have that originally intended breeding troop at Orana, plus a bachelor troop. Orana certainly have the space and if the originally intended pursuit to house orangutans is abandoned, I would support a full-on focus upon gorillas.

It would be nice to see one of the Orana males given the opportunity to be part of a breeding troop, to further boost Frala's representation in the region.

 

[Zoofan15]

I'm glad to hear that the new management has made progress and made things better for the animals at Orana. I would love to see a return to focus on great apes at the Great Ape Centre and perhaps have that originally intended breeding troop at Orana, plus a bachelor troop. Orana certainly have the space and if the originally intended pursuit to house orangutans is abandoned, I would support a full-on focus upon gorillas.

It would be nice to see one of the Orana males given the opportunity to be part of a breeding troop, to further boost Frala's representation in the region.

The global captive population of gorillas has already been subject to minor inbreeding, which is inevitable when you consider the size of the founder base compared to chimpanzees or even orangutans. It’s not helped by the fact they’re a polygamous species and therefore the handful of zoos in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s that achieved successful breeding often did so with a single silverback.

While Orana founding a breeding troop with an imported silverback, as was the original plan, and new females; as opposed to Fataki, daughters of Fataki would have countless breeding applications within the region, being suitable matches for Otana and Kisane; as well as the possibility of matches between offspring of Kanzi etc who is the paternal half niece of Fataki, with their respective offspring being even further distantly related.

 

[Zoofan15]

Apenheul Descendants

Out of interest, I totalled the number of surviving descendants of Apenheul first group of females:

0.1 Mouila (1972)
0.1 Lobo (1973)
0.1 Mintha (1974)
0.1 Tsimi (1974)
0.1 Mandji (1975)

————————
————————

Mouila:

6 children (4 living)
25 grandchildren (20 living)
17 great grandchildren (12 living)
2 great grandchildren (2 living)
2 great grandchildren (2 living)

Total surviving descendants: 40

————————

Mandji:

9 children (7 living)
21 grandchildren (16 living)
5 great grandchildren (5 living)

Total surviving descendants: 28

————————

Mintha:

6 children (4 living)
20 grandchildren (13 living)
6 great grandchildren (3 living)

Total surviving descendants: 20

————————

Lobo:

11 children (5 living)
10 grandchildren (6 living)

Total surviving descendants: 11

————————

Tsimi:

3 children (2 living)
6 grandchildren (5 living)

Total surviving descendants: 7

————————
————————

Compared to her four Apenheul peers, Mintha (Frala’s mother) is middle range in terms of representation. She has half the number of living descendants as Mouila; but is doing markedly better than Lobo and Tsimi.

It’s difficult to comment further without the context of the representation of every other founder female in the global captive population, but based on the above it’s probable that breeding from Lobo and Tsimi’s descendants will be prioritised; breeding from Mouila and Mandji’s descendants will be restricted (as we can already seen signs of); and Mintha’s descendants will sit somewhere in the middle, with indications at present being breeding is restricted (lack of breeding from Frala’s daughters etc).

 

[Pertinax]

Apenheul Descendants

Out of interest, I totalled the number of surviving descendants of Apenheul first group of females:

0.1 Mouila (1972)
0.1 Lobo (1973)
0.1 Mintha (1974)
0.1 Tsimi (1974)
0.1 Mandji (1975)

————————
————————

Mouila:

6 children (4 living)
25 grandchildren (20 living)
17 great grandchildren (12 living)
2 great grandchildren (2 living)
2 great grandchildren (2 living)

Total surviving descendants: 40

————————

Mandji:

9 children (7 living)
21 grandchildren (16 living)
5 great grandchildren (5 living)

Total surviving descendants: 28

————————

Mintha:

6 children (4 living)
20 grandchildren (13 living)
6 great grandchildren (3 living)

Total surviving descendants: 20

————————

Lobo:

11 children (5 living)
10 grandchildren (6 living)

Total surviving descendants: 11

————————

Tsimi:

3 children (2 living)
6 grandchildren (5 living)

Total surviving descendants: 7

————————
————————

Compared to her four Apenheul peers, Mintha (Frala’s mother) is middle range in terms of representation. She has half the number of living descendants as Mouila; but is doing markedly better than Lobo and Tsimi.

It’s difficult to comment further without the context of the representation of every other founder female in the global captive population, but based on the above it’s probable that breeding from Lobo and Tsimi’s descendants will be prioritised; breeding from Mouila and Mandji’s descendants will be restricted (as we can already seen signs of); and Mintha’s descendants will sit somewhere in the middle, with indications at present being breeding is restricted (lack of breeding from Frala’s daughters etc).

For the record, Mintha and Mandji (she is a very big female) are still going strong at Apenheul in the Netherlands, at the ripe old ages of circa 51. After living in a smaller splinter group for some years with the older silverback BaoBao, after he died they were recently reintegrated (very easily) back into the main group led by younger male Banjoko. This meant Mintha rejoined her youngest grand-daughter fathered by Banjoko.

 

[Zoofan15]

For the record, Mintha and Mandji (she is a very big female) are still going strong at Apenheul in the Netherlands, at the ripe old ages of circa 51. After living in a smaller splinter group for some years with the older silverback BaoBao, after he died they were recently reintegrated (very easily) back into the main group led by younger male Banjoko. This meant Mintha rejoined her youngest grand-daughter fathered by Banjoko.

That’s good to know. It’s interesting you mention Mandji’s size as prior to the export of Kibabu’s troop to Australia in 1996, the gorillas were weighed and I was interested to note the size difference between Frala and Mouila/Kriba. Due to the Kriba and Frala being siblings, I wondered if the size difference (albeit fairly minimal) came from Mintha.

Weights of Kibabu’s troop (December 1996):

1.0 Kibabu (1977) 195kg
0.1 Mouila (1972) 85kg (estimate)
0.1 Kriba (1979) 85kg (estimate)
0.1 Frala (1981) 79kg
0.1 Shinda (1991) 49kg
1.0 Haoko (1993) 25kg
0.1 Kijivu (1993) 27kg
0.1 Anguka (1994) 13kg

The youngest gorillas were not weighed:

0.1 Safiri (1996) - 3 months old
1.0 Shabani (1996) - 7 weeks old