Gorillas at Chessington Zoo, 24 May 2009

This is Damisi\'s group, comprising Buu (f), Shani (f), Asili (f), Shanga (f) and baby Mbula (m). On the right, Buu is carrying Mbula.

The other one must be her younger sister Shanga, as its definately not either of the older adult females. Shanga was originally wrongly sexed as male.

Pertinax said:

Shanga was originally wrongly sexed as male.

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I am confused by this, as the reports I have read state that Shanga was originally wrongly sexed as female but was then found to be a male two years later (as per the story linked below). Also, the family tree on show at Chessington states that Shanga is male, and this was produced after Kumili and Kumi were born

[monkeywire] Female baby gorilla turns out to be a boy

mhale said:

I am confused by this, as the reports I have read state that Shanga was originally wrongly sexed as female but was then found to be a male two years later (as per the story linked below). Also, the family tree on show at Chessington states that Shanga is male, and this was produced after Kumili and Kumi were born

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I didn't know she had been mis-sexed twice - I presumed she was just initially thought male and then discovered not to be... I have also seen the family tree noticeboard which denotes her as male. Anyway, I have it on good authority 'she' is definately a female and the updated details on the website say that too.

Sexing young gorillas can be difficult, especially mother-raised babies. Here are just some examples of mis-sexing;
Achilla(was Achilles)- first Gorilla at Basel Zoo- originally thought male. She was Mbula's Great Great Great(3) grandmother.
N'Pongo'- first Gorilla at Jersey- originally thought male. She was Mbula's Great great(2) grandmother.
Eva & Biddy at Twycross- originally thought a male/female pair.
Makoua born at Berlin- handraised but still mis-sexed!
Namoki at Bristol- thought to be male until 3 years old.