Marty (1987): This would have been taken around the time he took over from his brother, Boyd (1978), as the alpha male. This was part of the reason for Boyd and Gombe's export in 2009 to Monarto Zoo - Boyd was unsettled in the troop due to not liking being supplanted; and the high ratio of males to females caused frequent confrontations. Prior to their export, there were six adolescent/adult males in the troop - Boyd, Sam, Marty, Gombe, Temba and Alexis.
@marmolady Yes, Wellington have had a run of bad luck. Apparently the reduction of males to Marty and Alexis made them unsettled as males rely on each other’s support to patrol the exhibit - and indeed husbandry guidelines for the region recommend a minimum of three adult males. Sam and Marty were middle aged; but the losses of Temba and Beni were premature and tragic.
At least they have succession coming through now with the adolescent males, Bakari (2012) and Kitwe (2014). In the meantime, I’m sure the staff are grateful Alexis isn’t a tyrant as he has no realistic challengers at this point in time.
