Australasian Common Chimpanzee Population

[Abbey]

Thank you for that excellent episode synopsis, @Abbey. It was a real pleasure to read and an episode I’ve been curious about for many years!

It’s really fascinating to hear about the strategies used to manage the community over this time. Reintroductions of both males and females can often be explosive and even on hindsight, I’d agree they made the right call. If Shiba was a genuine infanticide risk, she would have been equally likely to attack the infant upon reintroduction (as happened with Mary re. Lulu’s twins in 1983). Keeping them apart would never have worked.

I do recall at the time hearing Shiba’s family had been separated - along with Sacha’s line. I believe the latter was included to provide the juvenile Sembe with Sule’s companionship.

The infant in this episode was born in March 2013. An interesting note that Koko was found with the infant. She killed Kamili’s next infant born June 2014, so she’d be the prime suspect imo.

I’d assume the infant Koko was carrying in 2013 was miscarried before reaching full term as her next recorded birth was in September 2014 (she killed this infant too). Kuma indeed gave birth to Fumo in October 2013.

You're most likely correct that Koko had a miscarriage rather than a stillbirth or a live birth she killed in 2013. The episode only showed keepers receiving the two positive pregnancy tests right at the end. Interestingly, the tests resembled the RATs used for COVID, rather than the more high-tech pregnancy tests you see in movies - was strange to be celebrating a positive one!

I also noticed that the keepers' printed forms on which they recorded the females' oestrus cycles spelled Kamili's name as Kamille. I'd not seen that before. The keepers mostly verbally referred to her as Millie, which is also the nickname of Miliyah, the siamang at the National Zoo and Aquarium.

 

[Zoofan15]

You're most likely correct that Koko had a miscarriage rather than a stillbirth or a live birth she killed in 2013. The episode only showed keepers receiving the two positive pregnancy tests right at the end. Interestingly, the tests resembled the RATs used for COVID, rather than the more high-tech pregnancy tests you see in movies - was strange to be celebrating a positive one!

I also noticed that the keepers' printed forms on which they recorded the females' oestrus cycles spelled Kamili's name as Kamille. I'd not seen that before. The keepers mostly verbally referred to her as Millie, which is also the nickname of Miliyah, the siamang at the National Zoo and Aquarium.

I can definitely confirm Koko didn’t have a stillbirth/live birth in 2013, so yes it would have been a miscarriage if the pregnancy test was accurate.

An episode of Monkey World mentioned female chimpanzees only test positive at the start and the end of the pregnancy (with pregnancy being apparent in the third trimester anyway). With that in mind, I’d say Koko would have been in the first trimester - as was Kuma if she tested positive circa March/April 2013 and gave birth in October 2013.

That’s an interesting variation to Kamili’s name - though sounds like it could have been a spelling mistake. It figures the keepers have nicknames for the chimps, similar to house names/media names. Lubutu was Boots and Shikamoo is Shiki. I wonder if Shabani and Samaki are Barney and Marky. Shabani (and Kuma) were originally given different names, so these may also still be used by keepers.

 

[Zoofan15]

Auckland Zoo - Chimpanzee History

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of talking to a regular visitor to Auckland Zoo, who’s very familiar with the history of the zoo (especially that of the great apes). Naturally, I had plenty of questions around the chimpanzees!

The two groups of tea party chimpanzees that arrived in 1956 (Bobby, Janie, Minnie and Josie) and 1959 (Nick, Charlie, Little Jane and Siss) were kept separately from each other. The deaths of two members as juveniles in the second group reduced it to a single pair (Charlie and Siss), which as we know produced three offspring - Suzie (1964), Sally (1970) and Unnamed (1971).

The records listed a mystery infant that was born in 1965 and died just under three months later in 1966. The lady I spoke to confirmed this infant was born to Bobby and Josie. I have amended my records of Auckland Zoo’s chimpanzees to include this infant (see below).

Following the passing of Charlie and Siss in 1971, their cage was occupied by Suzie. She was later joined by Sally, who was an infant when their parents passed.

Following Mike’s arrival in 1982, there was an attempt to integrate him with the two groups - Bobby, Janie and Josie; and Suzie and Sally. Apparently it was Janie that prevented the first group from cohabiting with Mike. As we know, Janie refused to be dominated by Bobby (the reason they never bred); and clashed with Mike when they were introduced.

Suzie and Sally were younger and although they didn’t mate with Mike, they were at least able to cohabit with him. As I previously noted, Lucy was imported (along with Loanda) in the hope of teaching Suzie and Sally how to mate with males. It’s unfortunate they never did since they were the only surviving offspring of two founders.

Complete history:

Spoiler: Auckland Zoo - Chimpanzee History

Auckland Zoo - Complete History

Auckland Zoo’s first chimpanzee was imported in 1925:

0.0.1 Unnamed
Born in the wild < 1925
Arrived at Auckland Zoo 00/01/1925
Died at Auckland Zoo < 00/06/1925

It’s mate died in transit on the SS Tekoa.

After it’s death, 1.1 were imported in 1926:

1.0 Unnamed
Born in the wild < 1926
Arrived at Auckland Zoo 00/12/1926
Died at Auckland Zoo 00/12/1927

0.1 Unnamed
Born in the wild < 1926
Arrived at Auckland Zoo 00/12/1926
Died at Auckland Zoo 00/12/1927

After their deaths, 0.0.1 was imported in 1938:

0.0.1 Unnamed
Born in the wild < 1938
Arrived at Auckland Zoo 00/00/1938
Died at Auckland Zoo 00/10/1940

Auckland Zoo was without chimpanzees for 16 years between 1940-1956.

1.3 were imported in 1956:

0.1 Janie
Born in the wild 01/01/1952
Arrived at Auckland Zoo 14/10/1956
Died at Auckland Zoo 11/10/2013

0.1 Minnie
Born in the wild 01/01/1953
Arrived at Auckland Zoo 14/10/1956
Died at Auckland Zoo 13/08/1964

0.1 Josie
Born in the wild 01/01/1954
Arrived at Auckland Zoo 14/10/1956
Died at Auckland Zoo 29/02/2000

1.0 Bobbie
Born in the wild 01/01/1955
Arrived at Auckland Zoo 14/10/1956
Died at Auckland Zoo 03/11/2004

Josie gave birth to 1.0 offspring at Auckland Zoo:

1.0 Unnamed
Born at Auckland Zoo 24/11/1965
Died at Auckland Zoo 16/02/1966
Sire: Bobby

2.2 were imported in 1959:

1.0 Nick
Born in the wild 01/01/1957
Arrived at Auckland Zoo 17/11/1959
Died at Auckland Zoo 05/09/1961

1.0 Charlie
Born in the wild 01/01/1957
Arrived at Auckland Zoo 17/11/1959
Died at Auckland Zoo 20/06/1971

0.1 Little Jane
Born in the wild 01/01/1957
Arrived at Auckland Zoo 17/11/1959
Died at Auckland Zoo 03/05/1962

0.1 Siss
Born in the wild 01/01/1957
Arrived at Auckland Zoo 17/11/1959
Died at Auckland Zoo 26/07/1971

Siss gave birth to 1.2 offspring at Auckland Zoo:

0.1 Suzie
Born at Auckland Zoo 27/08/1964
Sent to Hamilton Zoo 07/10/2004
Sire: Charlie

0.1 Sally
Born at Auckland Zoo 19/10/1970
Sent to Hamilton Zoo 07/10/2004
Sire: Charlie

1.0 Unnamed
Born at Auckland Zoo 00/07/1971 (approx July 7)
Died at Auckland Zoo 27/07/1971
Sire: Charlie

1.0 was imported in 1982:

1.0 Mike
Born at Taronga Zoo 10/10/1973
Arrived at Auckland Zoo 25/06/1982
Sent to Hamilton Zoo 07/10/2004

0.2 were imported in 1985:

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

0.1 Loanda
Born at Taronga Zoo 06/08/1985
Sent to Auckland Zoo 23/10/1985
Died at Auckland Zoo 25/11/1985

Lucy gave birth to 2.0 offspring at Auckland Zoo:

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

No chimpanzees have been held at Auckland Zoo since 2013.

Aaaa

 

[Zoofan15]

Susie and Shiba (early 1980’s):

First of all, thanks to @Osedax for finding this video.

At 0.50, there’s a shot of the chimpanzee troop and I instantly recognised Susie (1948-1995). I looked closer and she was holding a baby, which would have been her last infant, Shiba (1981).

Susie was a Central chimpanzee and the size difference between her and the adult female to her left is quite noticeable. It’s unsurprising considering the size of her descendants.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ZUxb_KWNpiQ

 

[Zoofan15]

Taronga Zoo - Ceres’ infant is a female and has been named Cekiri:

Great news for Ceres, who will hopefully be able to retain her daughter into adulthood to grow her family; and Lemba, who will surely form a strong bond with Cekiri as they grow.

From socials:

We are delighted to formally introduce female Chimpanzee baby, Cekiri.

Now four-weeks-old, Cekiri is settling into the 21-strong Chimpanzee community and is strongly bonded to her mother Ceres, delighting staff and guests alike with glimpses into the special mother-daughter relationship.

Taronga Wildlife Hospital staff were given the honour of naming the newborn, and in a touching gesture, paid tribute to two beloved past animals that touched the hearts of all in the Taronga community. Cekiri is a combination of names from five-year-old Chimpanzee Cebele, who recently passed away from a rare cancer, and four-year-old Western Lowland Gorilla Fikiri, who succumbed to an aggressive gastrointestinal infection.

With Ceres cradling and suckling the small bundle in the delightful winter sunshine, it’s hard not to fall further in love with the community when you witness 3-month-old Lemba learning to stand with the helping hands of doting mother Lisa.

 

[Jambo]

Taronga Zoo - Ceres’ infant is a female and has been named Cekiri:

Great news for Ceres, who will hopefully be able to retain her daughter into adulthood to grow her family; and Lemba, who will surely form a strong bond with Cekiri as they grow.

From socials:

We are delighted to formally introduce female Chimpanzee baby, Cekiri.

Now four-weeks-old, Cekiri is settling into the 21-strong Chimpanzee community and is strongly bonded to her mother Ceres, delighting staff and guests alike with glimpses into the special mother-daughter relationship.

Taronga Wildlife Hospital staff were given the honour of naming the newborn, and in a touching gesture, paid tribute to two beloved past animals that touched the hearts of all in the Taronga community. Cekiri is a combination of names from five-year-old Chimpanzee Cebele, who recently passed away from a rare cancer, and four-year-old Western Lowland Gorilla Fikiri, who succumbed to an aggressive gastrointestinal infection.

With Ceres cradling and suckling the small bundle in the delightful winter sunshine, it’s hard not to fall further in love with the community when you witness 3-month-old Lemba learning to stand with the helping hands of doting mother Lisa.

Great news to have another girl; Taronga’s troop are certainly in need of some girls following the majority of births being boys for at least the past thirty or so years. This is the first consecutive surviving girls born in the troop in over three decades!

The name ‘Cekiri’ is also a very nice name; a wonderful tribute to Cebeli and Fikiri.

Hopefully this young girl will have a bright future within Taronga’s troop. She will almost certainly be a breeding female once she reaches adulthood and I look forward to seeing her and Lemba grow up together.

 

[Zoofan15]

Taronga Zoo - Surviving Female Infants

I thought it’d be interesting to assess the number of surviving females born in Taronga’s chimpanzee community.

For the purpose of this analysis, surviving will be defined as:

A) Currently alive
B) Survived to adulthood within the community, but now deceased
C) Survived until exported/transferred out (irregardless of age or fate)

Consecutive calendar years will be grouped together to form cohorts eg. 1969 is grouped with 1970, but not 1967.

————————

Spoiler: The Data

Mary (10/01/1960) Exported 1968
Spitter (01/07/1960) Died 2022

Swappie (17/02/1962) Exported 1968

Lola (25/11/1964) Exported 1971

Val (25/08/1967) Exported 1969

Pongo (29/05/1969) Exported 1972
Chiki (06/07/1970) Died 2001
Gemini (16/10/1970) Exported 1982

Sutu (28/12/1974) Exported 1981
Belle (18/09/1975) Exported 1986
Lucy (24/11/1975) Exported 1985

Melissa (30/01/1978) Exported 1998
Lisa (23/08/1979)
Bianca (09/11/1979) Exported 1982
Sacha (11/06/1980)
Ficha (29/04/1981) Exported 1998
Shiba (22/05/1981)
Cara (10/09/1981) Exported 1992
Georgie (03/11/1981) Exported 1982

Samantha (25/12/1983) Exported 1992

Sally (13/01/1985) Exported 1992
Loanda (06/08/1985) Exported 1985
Cheena (15/08/1985) Exported 1992

Shona (09/10/1987)

Chunga (13/03/1991) Exported 1998
Kike (11/04/1991) Exported 1998
Sumu (18/05/1991) Exported 1992
Kuma (06/12/1991)

Kamili (02/09/1995)

Lani (25/05/2002) Exported 2018

Sembe (27/02/2008)

Safiri (16/05/2019)

Lemba (23/05/2023)
Cekiri (29/07/2023)

————————

The community has had 34 surviving females:

10 females are alive and remain in the community
2 females survived to adulthood, but are now deceased
22 females were exported/transferred out

There have been seven cohorts, including one super cohort of eight females, where there were births every year from 1978-1981.

The greatest number of surviving females born in a single calendar year were four births in 1981 and 1991. 1991 also included a surviving male, making it the year the most surviving infants were born - a record that remains unbroken to this day.

 

[Zoofan15]

Rockhampton Zoo - Gandali in serious condition:

Gandali at Rockhampton Zoo has been bitten by a snake and is in a serious condition.

As the region’s only surviving descendant of Molly (1953-1981), he’s a genetically valuable chimpanzee and as with any individual of the regional population, I hope for a full recovery.

From socials:

Earlier today, our beloved 3-year-old chimpanzee Gandali was bitten by a snake at the Rockhampton Zoo.

We want to assure you that Gandali is currently receiving the best possible veterinary care. He is in a serious condition and will continue to receive treatment overnight.

We will keep you updated on his progress as we receive more information. Please keep Gandali, the troop, and the entire Rockhampton Zoo team in your thoughts this evening.

 

[Jambo]

Rockhampton Zoo - Gandali in serious condition:

Gandali at Rockhampton Zoo has been bitten by a snake and is in a serious condition.

As the region’s only surviving descendant of Molly (1953-1981), he’s a genetically valuable chimpanzee and as with any individual of the regional population, I hope for a full recovery.

From socials:

Earlier today, our beloved 3-year-old chimpanzee Gandali was bitten by a snake at the Rockhampton Zoo.

We want to assure you that Gandali is currently receiving the best possible veterinary care. He is in a serious condition and will continue to receive treatment overnight.

We will keep you updated on his progress as we receive more information. Please keep Gandali, the troop, and the entire Rockhampton Zoo team in your thoughts this evening.

Very unfortunate news to hear. Hopefully he's doing well; I'm sure the Rockhampton team are doing the best they can. It would be tragic to lose him so soon, after his mother last year.

My fingers are crossed for a quick recovery.

 

[Zoofan15]

Rockhampton Zoo - update on Gandali:

It sounds like Gandali will make a full recovery. Great news!

From socials:

Huge sigh of relief, Gandali received veterinary care overnight and is now back at the zoo being reintroduced to the troop.

Thank you to our veterinary team and Rockhampton Zoo family for nursing Gandali back to good health.

Now to keep the cheeky three year old quiet for a few days!

 

[Jambo]

Rockhampton Zoo - update on Gandali:

It sounds like Gandali will make a full recovery. Great news!

From socials:

Huge sigh of relief, Gandali received veterinary care overnight and is now back at the zoo being reintroduced to the troop.

Thank you to our veterinary team and Rockhampton Zoo family for nursing Gandali back to good health.

Now to keep the cheeky three year old quiet for a few days!

That’s the news we needed!

Kudos to Rockhampton’s team for nursing him back to health. Being a young valuable male, he’s the future of Rockhampton’s troop and will hopefully have plenty more years ahead of him.

 

[Zoofan15]

That’s the news we needed!

Kudos to Rockhampton’s team for nursing him back to health. Being a young valuable male, he’s the future of Rockhampton’s troop and will hopefully have plenty more years ahead of him.

I’m thrilled this had a positive outcome - especially given Gandali’s genetic value as the sole representative of Molly’s lineage.

To put this into perspective, there are currently five historical founders who are now represented by a single descendant:

0.1 Molly (1953-1981) Wellington/Melbourne = Gandali
0.1 Sadie (1951-1980) Taronga = Cassius
1.0 Charlie (1969-2010 Willowbank/Mogo = Samantha
0.1 Coco (1969-1990) Taronga/Willowbank = Samantha
0.1 Koko (1972-2019) Melbourne/Taronga = Kamili

It’s near certain four of these will be lost forever, pending the outcome of Kamili’s pregnancy; with the fifth (Gandali) representing the greatest chance of continuing his line. I’m hopeful this will be via a transfer to Hamilton long term, with his father established as the alpha at Rockhampton.

 

[Zoofan15]

Taronga Zoo - Fumo challenging Sule:

During the last month, Fumo has begun challenging Sule. It’s apparently the first time any male in the community has challenged Sule since his rise to the alpha role.

My assessment is this is merely a phase adolescent males go through. Lubutu fought off several challenges from Shabani, Chimbuka and Sandali during their adolescence; and subsequently Furahi went through a similar phase in the early 2010’s where he challenged Lubutu and Samaki.

Historically, males Fumo’s age have been successful in overthrowing the alpha. Sonny (1978) overthrew Danny in 1988 at Taronga Zoo; and Luka (1993) took over from Mike not long after the troop’s arrival at Hamilton Zoo in 2004. However, both these incidences represented cases where the incumbent alpha male was there by default. Danny lacked ambition for the alpha role and Mike was a tyrant.

In this case, I would assume Sule’s leadership is secure. He’s an ambitious male and has the support of the community (including his brother) behind him. It does however represent the beginning of Fumo entering the male hierarchy and it’s not hard to imagine him swiftly overtaking Shabani and Samaki in ranking in the near future.

 

[Zoofan15]

Galatea is off contraceptives and the keepers have been performing pregnancy and fertility tests, the keeper I chatted to speculates* that she has minor reproductive issues akin to Polycystic ovary syndrome, but hopes she either is/will fall pregnant soon.

A request has been made to the studbook keeper to retain Zuri, she is Monarto's most popular Chimp with the public (the chimp best known by name), however, the keeper speculated* she will move on, "it just depends"

The race for Alpha is between Gombe and Sandali, currently, Gombe is the uneasy alpha (supported by his father) even though Sandali is more popular with the females. The keeper mentioned that times are "fickle" and it could change in a fortnight*. She said she wouldn't be surprised if Sandali snatched the alpha status from Gombe if Boyd passes. Apparently, Enzi is oblivious to this all even though he could be an ally to either side considering the shortage of males in the troop. She also mentioned that the females have more influence over choosing the alpha than they normally would due to the low number of males, and that Sandali has garnered enough support from them to challenge Gombe and Boyd alone.

Monarto Safari Park - Hierarchy/Future Breeding

First of all, thanks to @Swanson02 for providing us with an update on Monarto’s chimpanzee community. I’ve quoted it in this post for those who haven’t read it; and will discuss it further in this thread.

It’s interesting to hear Gombe (1993) has initially emerged as the alpha of Monarto’s troop, supported by Boyd (1978); despite Sandali (1996) having more popularity with the females. As noted, I suspect Boyd’s eventual passing will be the catalyst for change if it doesn’t happen before. The females will no doubt take this opportunity to assess Gombe’s leadership in the interim and lend their support to either side.

Enzi (2015) turns eight years old next month and it’ll likely be another two years before he exerts any influence on troop dynamics. Fumo (2013) at Taronga has only recently begun to enter the hierarchy; and Bakari (2012) at Wellington had yet to do so when I visited their troop in January. As the youngest male by 19 years, Enzi is well placed to establish himself as alpha in years to come.

Fingers crossed Galatea (1999) can conceive again. She’s had a difficult road to motherhood, which is yet to end in her producing a surviving infant.

It’ll be interesting to see if Zombi (1993) breeds again in the future. I imagine paternity results of Zola (2019) will influence this. It’s likely she was sired by Tsosti (1989-2023); but if Sandali (1996) was the sire, this will surely preclude Zombi from breed during the next decade. Four offspring from Sandali and Zombi would be unnecessary. In an ideal world, she’d conceive a fourth and final infant a decade from now, once Happy (2022) is siring offspring. She’d hopefully breed with him rather than her son. With females in the breeding programme breeding into their late 30’s and early 40’s, this can’t be discounted.

 

[Zoofan15]

Monaro Safari Park - Paternity Testing

Thanks to @marmolady for the update that paternity testing is underway for infants, Zola (2019) and Happy (2022). The candidates are Tsotsi (1989-2023) and Sandali (1996).

This could potentially add up to two descendants to the respective founder lines of the two candidates:

Sandali:

1.0 Bobby (1950-1975) Taronga 37-39
0.1 Fifi (1947-2007) Taronga 30-32
1.0 Tom (1950-1990) Wellington 28-31
0.1 Yoka (1953-1979) Wellington 25-28
1.0 Sailor (1936-1966) Taronga/Melbourne 13-16
0.1 Biddy (1950-1989) Taronga 14-17

Tsotsi:

1.0 Peter (1953-1994) Adelaide 4-6
0.1 Fimi (1965-2012) Adelaide/Hamilton 4-6

Fingers crossed Tsotsi has succeeded in siring these infants given his genetic value and unfortunate passing.

 

[Zoofan15]

Taronga Zoo - Update

Thanks to my friend who’s a frequent visitor to the zoo, I have an update on Taronga’s chimpanzee community.

I’ve included a current population list for anyone who’s not familiar with every individual in the community to give the update context:

Spoiler: Current Population (October 2023)

1.0 Shabani (14/09/1994) Monte x Shiba
1.0 Samaki (27/11/2001) Lubutu x Shiba
1.0 Furahi (28/02/2003) Lubutu x Kuma
1.0 Shikamoo (25/07/2003) Lubutu x Sacha
1.0 Sule (04/04/2008) Lubutu x Sacha
1.0 Fumo (16/10/2013) Shikamoo x Kuma
1.0 Sudi (09/08/2014) Shikamoo x Shiba
1.0 Liwali (22/09/2014) Samaki x Lisa
1.0 Niambi (07/10/2020) Sule x Naomi

0.1 Lisa (23/08/1979) Jojo x Lulu
0.1 Sacha (11/06/1980) Jojo x Spitter
0.1 Shiba (22/05/1981) Jojo x Susie
0.1 Shona (09/10/1987) Danny x Sutu
0.1 Ceres (19/09/1990) Imported 2015
0.1 Kuma (06/12/1991) Snowy x Ficha
0.1 Kamili (02/09/1995) Snowy x Koko (Pregnant)
0.1 Naomi (25/01/2001) Imported 2015
0.1 Sembe (27/02/2008) Lubutu x Shiba
0.1 Safiri (16/05/2019) Sule x Shiba
0.1 Lemba (23/05/2023) Unknown x Lisa
0.1 Cekiri (29/07/2023) Unknown x Ceres

Kamili is looking very pregnant. Based on the photo shared with me, I would estimate she’s due in December. Kamili has been close to Kuma for a number of years, but has also been spending a lot of time with Lisa, who’s formed a group with them. Since Lisa’s lactating, I would assess her as the best option for a surrogate should Kamili reject her infant.

Since the birth of Lemba, Lisa has become more social and as mentioned, spends time with Kuma and Kamili. Previously, she and Liwali spent the majority of their time alone together at the top of one of the towers.

Sudi and Liwali have taken to bullying the females of recent. As a result, Sudi is unpopular with the females and since he’s not mature enough to groom with the adult males, he spends a lot of time alone. Liwali spends the majority of his time with his mother, or others within Lisa’s vicinity.

Fumo spends the majority of his time with Kuma, Furahi and Shikamoo; but no longer spends time with Shiba and Safiri. He seems to have outgrown his fascination with infants and is more interested in doing adult male things (grooming, mating with females). I recall Sule (who was similarly fascinated with infants) going through this stage as he entered adulthood.

Sembe remains in an awkward position within the community, drifting with few social interactions with the other chimpanzees. Ceres and Naomi, who she was previously close to, are preoccupied with their infants and have little time for her. I’ve long been of the opinion that transferring her to Rockhampton would be in her best interests, possibly with Shona, who has little to nothing tying her to the community and would arguably do better in a small troop.

 

[Zoofan15]

Taronga Zoo - New Alpha Female

An update from my friend that Shiba is no longer the highest ranking female of Taronga’s community. This position is now held by Sacha, who’s the mother of the alpha and beta males. It comes as no surprise considering Shiba’s adult sons are now the lowest ranking of the adult males; but apparently the demands of Safiri on Shiba’s time limit her ability to participate in grooming sessions, which has been a contributing factor.

Ceres, Kamili, Shona and Sembe are the lowest ranking females (in that order). Ceres is the best placed, with the support of her sister and the status her infant brings; while Kamili is benefiting from her pregnant status. As mentioned in the previous update, Kamili also has a close relationship with Lisa and Kuma.

This leaves Shiba, Lisa, Kuma and Naomi. They take out the second to fifth highest ranking positions amongst the adult females, but are too close to call at this stage. I anticipate things will be more concrete by this time next year. If Kuma and Naomi breed, their status will increase and it wouldn’t surprise me to see them take out the second and third spot. Shiba could well drop further to the fifth spot; with Lisa stabilising around the fourth spot.

Rankings:

Sacha (highest ranking)
Kuma/Shiba/Lisa/Naomi (ranking of these four undetermined)
Ceres
Kamili
Shona
Sembe (lowest ranking)

 

[Zoofan15]

@Zoofan15, thanks so much for this! The first time I saw the mural for Sally (on my visit last December to Hamilton) I had tears in my eyes. I remember Sally well from my 70s childhood and miss her so much.

I’ll reply here @ApeLadyNZ:

It would have been great to have seen Sally as an infant and watch her grow up. Based on photos I’ve seen, it’s my belief she was of the Western subspecies. Most of the chimpanzees we have in the region now are hybrids (predominantly of the Western and Central subspecies); but because Sally’s parents (Charlie and Siss) were wild born and captured/imported at the same time, it’s probable they came from the same geographic area (or even the same troop).

Auckland Zoo’s colony:

The difference in success between Auckland’s chimpanzee colony and Wellington’s is profound considering they each received eight and seven young chimpanzees respectively in the 1950’s.

From what I can ascertain through records, several factors sunk Auckland Zoo’s chances of establishing a colony from these eight animals:

Nick (1957-1961) and Little Jane (1957-1962) died as juveniles.

Minnie (1953-1964) died as an adolescent from a coronary attack following a miscarriage. She was clearly a proven breeder.

Janie (1952-2013) established herself as the alpha and refused to let Bobby (1955-2004) mate with her; while it appears Josie (1954-2000) was a behavioural non breeder as I have no record of offspring born to her.

Charlie (1957-1971) and Siss (1957-1971) died within a month of each other aged 14 years. Adding to this tragedy was the death of their infant son (born and died July 1971), who Siss was successfully mothering until her death. Had this infant survived, Sally (1970-2021) would have been peer-raised alongside her brother and quite possibly developed social skills that would have enhanced her ability to coexist with her own kind (and breed). I don’t know what year Sally was introduced to Suzie (1964-2011).

 

[ApeLadyNZ]

I’ll reply here @ApeLadyNZ:

It would have been great to have seen Sally as an infant and watch her grow up. Based on photos I’ve seen, it’s my belief she was of the Western subspecies. Most of the chimpanzees we have in the region now are hybrids (predominantly of the Western and Central subspecies); but because Sally’s parents (Charlie and Siss) were wild born and captured/imported at the same time, it’s probable they came from the same geographic area (or even the same troop).

Auckland Zoo’s colony:

The difference in success between Auckland’s chimpanzee colony and Wellington’s is profound considering they each received eight and seven young chimpanzees respectively in the 1950’s.

From what I can ascertain through records, several factors sunk Auckland Zoo’s chances of establishing a colony from these eight animals:

Nick (1957-1961) and Little Jane (1957-1962) died as juveniles.

Minnie (1953-1964) died as an adolescent from a coronary attack following a miscarriage. She was clearly a proven breeder.

Janie (1952-2013) established herself as the alpha and refused to let Bobby (1955-2004) mate with her; while it appears Josie (1954-2000) was a behavioural non breeder as I have no record of offspring born to her.

Charlie (1957-1971) and Siss (1957-1971) died within a month of each other aged 14 years. Adding to this tragedy was the death of their infant son (born and died July 1971), who Siss was successfully mothering until her death. Had this infant survived, Sally (1970-2021) would have been peer-raised alongside her brother and quite possibly developed social skills that would have enhanced her ability to coexist with her own kind (and breed). I don’t know what year Sally was introduced to Suzie (1964-2011).

Thanks for that fascinating history of the Auckland chimps, @Zoofan15 ! It's an interesting story, albeit a sad one. I have the clearest memories of Sally as a juvenile - she always seemed active, sunny-natured and friendly. Susie, if I remember correctly, was a bit on the cheeky side and would occasionally spit mouthfuls of water at visitors. It is indeed a pity that their little brother didn't survive, as he would have been very valuable, genetically speaking, and great company for Sally in particular.

I do remember speaking to someone who claimed that a stillborn infant was born to Josie and Bobby, but I can't verify that as I can't find any such records anywhere online. And of course, the attempts to integrate the tea party chimps with the newcomers from Australia were disastrous, with Janie refusing to submit to Mike and Bobby also being attacked by Mike as an "interloper" male.

And yes, it's sad that Susie and Sally were behavioural non-breeders. A Hamilton Zoo staff member did tell me that Luka did occasionally mate with Sally while she was living there, but she may very well have been post-reproductive by this time or perhaps there was a fertility issue.

 

[Zoofan15]

Thanks for that fascinating history of the Auckland chimps, @Zoofan15 ! It's an interesting story, albeit a sad one. I have the clearest memories of Sally as a juvenile - she always seemed active, sunny-natured and friendly. Susie, if I remember correctly, was a bit on the cheeky side and would occasionally spit mouthfuls of water at visitors. It is indeed a pity that their little brother didn't survive, as he would have been very valuable, genetically speaking, and great company for Sally in particular.

I do remember speaking to someone who claimed that a stillborn infant was born to Josie and Bobby, but I can't verify that as I can't find any such records anywhere online. And of course, the attempts to integrate the tea party chimps with the newcomers from Australia were disastrous, with Janie refusing to submit to Mike and Bobby also being attacked by Mike as an "interloper" male.

And yes, it's sad that Susie and Sally were behavioural non-breeders. A Hamilton Zoo staff member did tell me that Luka did occasionally mate with Sally while she was living there, but she may very well have been post-reproductive by this time or perhaps there was a fertility issue.

I have details of what I’ve referred to as a mystery infant in my research:

1.0 Unnamed
Born at Auckland Zoo 24/11/1965
Died at Auckland Zoo 16/02/1966
Sire: Unknown; Dam: Unknown

It wasn’t stillborn, but lived until it was nearly three months old. Parentage is unknown and considering Charlie and Siss produced three known infants (August 1964, October 1970 and July 1971), I was wiling to assign it to them.

I’d be interested to know if the two cohorts of tea party chimps (imported 1956 and 1959) were kept seperate. I believe they were (due to the certainty of paternity of Suzie and Sally) and by the end of 1962 were reduced to Bobby, Janie, Minnie and Josie in one cage; and Charlie and Siss in the other. This means Bobby was capable of breeding (as Minnie had a miscarriage). I wonder why Josie never conceived/conceived again (if she had a stillbirth).

I’m not surprised Mike was aggressive towards Janie and Bobby. He was an adolescent by then (arrived aged nine in 1982) and assumed the alpha role by default. He became quite the tyrant by all accounts.