Australasian Common Chimpanzee Population

[Zoofan15]

It's a pity that Minnie died so young and never produced a surviving infant - it would have been amazing if the original group of Auckland tea party chimps could have contributed to the genetic lineage of chimpanzees in New Zealand.

Janie apparently never deferred to Mike, either; Mike's showing aggression to Janie and also to Bobby, as the only male in the tea party chimp group, was what led the integration of the two troops to fall through, according to staff I've spoken to, although, of course, Susie and Sally were successfully integrated with the breeding troop.

Minnie was a great loss to Auckland Zoo’s colony. She died of a coronary attack following a miscarriage, indicating she was a proven breeder.

Indeed the genetics of all eight of these wild born founders have now been lost. Suzie and Sally never bred; and the semen collected from Bobby in 1999 was insufficient quality to be used in AI. It wouldn’t surprise me if some of the individuals in each cohort were related to each other since animals dealers would have sourced multiple infants from a single troop; but nonetheless, their genes were very valuable.

In addition to the issues you’ve raised, it seems Auckland’s trio of tea-party chimpanzees effectively developed their own culture/social repertoire within the isolation of their cohort. Staff likened it to them speaking a different language to the mother raised chimpanzees. While Suzie and Sally were equally socially deficient, all least being younger, they were more adaptable to change and could at least dwell on the fringes of the mother raised troop. I recall seeing grooming between Sally and Lucy during their time at Hamilton and despite terrorising her in his adolescence, Luka was reportedly fond of Sally. His obsession with her was presumably due to her being the youngest reproductive aged female in the troop that wasn’t his mother.

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

Minnie was a great loss to Auckland Zoo’s colony. She died of a coronary attack following a miscarriage, indicating she was a proven breeder.

Indeed the genetics of all eight of these wild born founders have now been lost. Suzie and Sally never bred; and the semen collected from Bobby in 1999 was insufficient quality to be used in AI. It wouldn’t surprise me if some of the individuals in each cohort were related to each other since animals dealers would have sourced multiple infants from a single troop; but nonetheless, their genes were very valuable.

In addition to the issues you’ve raised, it seems Auckland’s trio of tea-party chimpanzees effectively developed their own culture/social repertoire within the isolation of their cohort. Staff likened it to them speaking a different language to the mother raised chimpanzees. While Suzie and Sally were equally socially deficient, all least being younger, they were more adaptable to change and could at least dwell on the fringes of the mother raised troop. I recall seeing grooming between Sally and Lucy during their time at Hamilton and despite terrorising her in his adolescence, Luka was reportedly fond of Sally. His obsession with her was presumably due to her being the youngest reproductive aged female in the troop that wasn’t his mother.

It's indeed a pity to lose the Auckland founders' genetics, though thankfully the Wellington founders did establish their legacy. I recall Hamilton Zoo staff saying that Luka had a soft spot for Sally, and his attentions to her may have contributed to the delay of Luka breeding with Sanda. Sadly, Sally must have been post-reproductive by this time - an infant from Luka and Sally would have been of great value indeed.

 

[Zoofan15]

It's indeed a pity to lose the Auckland founders' genetics, though thankfully the Wellington founders did establish their legacy. I recall Hamilton Zoo staff saying that Luka had a soft spot for Sally, and his attentions to her may have contributed to the delay of Luka breeding with Sanda. Sadly, Sally must have been post-reproductive by this time - an infant from Luka and Sally would have been of great value indeed.

Considering Auckland Zoo collected semen from Bobby in 1999, with the intention of sending it to Australia, it’s a shame that consideration was never given to undertaking AI with Suzie and Sally. Auckland’s exhibit being at capacity (and Bobby’s sperm being insufficient quality) would have deemed it a non-starter; but they surely could have investigated the possibility of using Mike or his sons as donors when the troop moved to Hamilton Zoo. Mike was genetically valuable too, with his mother only having four living descendants in the region at that time.

Suzie and Sally were 40 and 34 when they transferred to Hamilton Zoo, so would have still been cycling at that point. Infant mortality of infants born to females aged 35 years plus is statistically higher though, especially to females who have never had surviving offspring.

Though not specifically confirmed, I’ve always assumed Bobby’s semen was intended for use by Taronga Zoo. Their breeding male Snowy died that year (1999) and it wouldn’t surprise me if his successor (Gombe) was vasectomised. Taronga were very proactive in engineering things to give Snowy an advantage in siring offering and we know another of his competitors (Lewis) was vasectomised. With the next males down aged 5 and 6 years old, it would have been an excellent opportunity to undertake AI as an alternative to bringing in a new male (extremely difficult); or accepting inbreeding, which was ultimately the result. Chiki, Lisa and Shiba would have been the likely recipients. Sacha may have still been cycling from her 1996 birth; and Koko was unrelated to all the males in the troop.

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

Considering Auckland Zoo collected semen from Bobby in 1999, with the intention of sending it to Australia, it’s a shame that consideration was never given to undertaking AI with Suzie and Sally. Auckland’s exhibit being at capacity (and Bobby’s sperm being insufficient quality) would have deemed it a non-starter; but they surely could have investigated the possibility of using Mike or his sons as donors when the troop moved to Hamilton Zoo. Mike was genetically valuable too, with his mother only having four living descendants in the region at that time.

Suzie and Sally were 40 and 34 when they transferred to Hamilton Zoo, so would have still been cycling at that point. Infant mortality of infants born to females aged 35 years plus is statistically higher though, especially to females who have never had surviving offspring.

Though not specifically confirmed, I’ve always assumed Bobby’s semen was intended for use by Taronga Zoo. Their breeding male Snowy died that year (1999) and it wouldn’t surprise me if his successor (Gombe) was vasectomised. Taronga were very proactive in engineering things to give Snowy an advantage in siring offering and we know another of his competitors (Lewis) was vasectomised. With the next males down aged 5 and 6 years old, it would have been an excellent opportunity to undertake AI as an alternative to bringing in a new male (extremely difficult); or accepting inbreeding, which was ultimately the result. Chiki, Lisa and Shiba would have been the likely recipients. Sacha may have still been cycling from her 1996 birth; and Koko was unrelated to all the males in the troop.

I've often wondered why neither Auckland nor Hamilton took the artificial insemination route with Suzie and Sally. As you've said, even if Bobby's sperm was not viable, Mike, Lucifer or Luka could have been used as donors. Perhaps Hamilton were still trying to proceed as naturally as possible - although Suzie was definitely a behavioural non-breeder, keepers indicated that some mating behaviour had taken place between Luka and Sally, although sadly nothing ever came of it.

 

[Jambo]

I've often wondered why neither Auckland nor Hamilton took the artificial insemination route with Suzie and Sally. As you've said, even if Bobby's sperm was not viable, Mike, Lucifer or Luka could have been used as donors. Perhaps Hamilton were still trying to proceed as naturally as possible - although Suzie was definitely a behavioural non-breeder, keepers indicated that some mating behaviour had taken place between Luka and Sally, although sadly nothing ever came of it.

I'm assuming there wasn't any real attempts to breed from either Sally or Suzie due to their hand raised backgrounds. Both Sally and Suzie never witnessed the raising of an infant during their crucial learning stage as adolescents. So I'd imagine there would have been reasonable doubts regarding whether they'd actually raise a potential infant. By that point - the region was already largely against hand raising great apes.

 

[marmolady]

Sydney Zoo has announced the sad passing of beloved Julchen at the age of forty.

 

[Zoofan15]

Sydney Zoo has announced the sad passing of beloved Julchen at the age of forty.

That’s sad and unexpected news.

Following Julchen’s death, Sydney Zoo hold the following chimpanzees:

1.0 Fritz (26/03/1982) Unknown x Unknown; Imported 2019
1.0n Timmy (09/11/1991) Unknown x Cindy; Imported 2019
1.0n Charli (29/04/1994) Tommy x Cindy; Imported 2019
0.1 Babsi (10/09/1984) Tommy x Chita; Imported 2019
0.1 Leakey (30/12/1994) Chuck x Lilli; Imported 2015
0.1 Mzuri (08/12/2021) Alon x Leakey

Considering Sydney Zoo now has only two adult females, it wouldn’t surprise me if the female originally intended for Rockhampton Zoo (coming from South Korea) went to Sydney Zoo instead. Rockhampton doesn’t need three breeding females and this would give each of those zoos two each.

 

[marmolady]

I wonder if this may end up being a catalyst for Zuri (Monarto) being exported. She would surely have a lot of value as a breeding female for Sydney.

 

[Zoofan15]

I wonder if this may end up being a catalyst for Zuri (Monarto) being exported. She would surely have a lot of value as a breeding female for Sydney.

That’s a good idea, especially if the import from South Korea has been cancelled. I note it was supposed to have occurred in the first part of the year and here we are in November.

Taronga’s keepers advised the long term plan is for Sembe to transfer out, so it wouldn’t amaze me if she transferred to Sydney Zoo either. She’s 17 years old and without the option to breed at Taronga, she’s effectively stagnating in their large community.

 

[Jambo]

That’s a good idea, especially if the import from South Korea has been cancelled. I note it was supposed to have occurred in the first part of the year and here we are in November.

The female in question is no longer going to Rockhampton. I had assumed the intention was to send her, alongside the male to Sydney, but there's a good possibility that the import as a whole has been cancelled.

That would open up opportunities for Sydney to acquire a new female/s. Zuri and Sembe are great suggestions, and perhaps they could even acquire both females at the same time; and introduce them together first for support once they're introduced to the main troop.

 

[Zoofan15]

Lucy Celebrates 50th Birthday

Today, Lucy celebrates her 50th birthday at Hamilton Zoo. Lucy is notable for being the oldest chimpanzee in Australasia, following the death of Cassius at Rockhampton Zoo.

Lucy’s life history is as follows:

0.1 Lucy
Born at Taronga Zoo 24/11/1975
Arrived at Auckland Zoo 23/10/1985
Sent to Hamilton Zoo 07/10/2004

Offspring:

0.1 Loanda
Born at Taronga Zoo 06/08/1985
Sent to Auckland Zoo 23/10/1985
Died at Auckland Zoo 25/11/1985
Sire: Jojo (assumed)

1.0 Lucifer
Born at Auckland Zoo 16/06/1988
Sent to Hamilton Zoo 07/10/2004
Sire: Mike

1.0 Luka
Born at Auckland Zoo 28/02/1993
Sent to Hamilton Zoo 07/10/2004
Sire: Mike

In addition to her offspring, Lucy also has three grandchildren, all of which live at Hamilton Zoo:

0.1 Chiku (15/02/2016) Luka x Sanda
0.1 Kendi (17/12/2020) Luka x Sanda
0.1 Zuri (27/06/2025) Luka x Sanda

Photo of Lucy from my visit to Hamilton Zoo (27/06/2025):