Kumbuka is likely to be quite 'feisty' when first confronted with the viewing arrangements at London! They may need to do limited/controlled access/viewing when he is first put on show- but they do get used to things after a while.
My access was controlled when Kesho was introduced to Effie (I think). They put up barriers manned by keepers 3 or 4 metres from the ends of the dayroom. I'm sure they will do something similar for Kumbuka
BTW Jim Davis' unofficial studbook now lists Kumbuka at Regents Park - but this may be wrong.
Kumbuka's best chance of getting on well with Effie (and if he can get on with her he can get on with anyone) is probably if he comes bearing broccoli and learns quickly to hand over all the food to her.
Kumbuka's best chance of getting on well with Effie (and if he can get on with her he can get on with anyone) is probably if he comes bearing broccoli and learns quickly to hand over all the food to her.
Looking at the studbook it looks like Zaire is his grandmother. That should make it "interesting". I suppose they are assuming that she is well past breeding age otherwise it would be risky to put the two in a group together.
'Zaire' is his grandmother. 'Effie' came (originally) from Berlin Zoo.
They 'say' Zaire is too old to breed now- she isn't really (many females older than her do breed) but its been so long since she did breed that she may be reproductively non-functional now. They obviously presume she is anyway.
Correct and so the only one not related to him at all is 'Effie'.
I do think that should he fail to breed at London, then to avoid any more major upheavals, they should keep him/them as an 'exhibit' group longterm and just send Mjuku and maybe Effie by turn for 'short breaks' to Chessington, to get mated by the very capable 'Damisi'. If 'Kumbuka' turns out not to be a breeder, he's unlikely to object to offspring not his own, especially if he's been living with the females already. But that's jumping the gun rather.
