Is he one of the original ones that was DNA'd as a pure Western chimp? Does he mate females or does his past background( as a sailors pet?) preclude that?
he was indeed. He also turned out to be amazingly popular with the Beekse Bergen females, much to everyone's amazement, including Ricky's. Has it precluded him? He certainly wasn't given a vasectomy because many thought he wouldn't have a clue as to what to do. Once again he has amazed everyone! He has been seen mating with a number of the new females, the first time being huge news around everyone at the zoo! He could, theoretically, be a father yet! Now there would be a genetically important individual!
he was indeed. He also turned out to be amazingly popular with the Beekse Bergen females, much to everyone's amazement, including Ricky's. Has it precluded him? He certainly wasn't given a vasectomy because many thought he wouldn't have a clue as to what to do. Once again he has amazed everyone! He has been seen mating with a number of the new females, the first time being huge news around everyone at the zoo! He could, theoretically, be a father yet! Now there would be a genetically important individual!
Thanks for the news on Ricky.. I love stories like that! It can and does happen sometimes like this, and proves you can never fully write-off an animal breedingwise. My guess is the arrival of new females stimulated him in some way the ones he was familiar with just never did. Maybe he felt more dominant over them? Lets hope he can father some offspring then. I guess there could possibly be a birth or two later this year?
