Australian (and NZ) Great Ape News and Discussion

Zoofan15 said:
Melbourne Zoo hasn’t bred Sumatran orangutan since 2010. They exported three of their four Sumatran orangutan in 2019 and have not publicly announced plans to import more.

Perth Zoo haven’t bred Sumatran orangutan since 2012. They exported one of their three breeding females in 2017.

Adelaide Zoo tragically lost their breeding female in 2017 and have made no attempts to import a new female for breeding in the years that followed.
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1. Where did Melbourne's exported Orangutans go to? And why did they make this move?

2. Which female at Perth was exported, and where to?

3. Is it correct Adelaide never reared any of the babies born there to Karta & Kluett?
 
Pertinax said:
1. Where did Melbourne's exported Orangutans go to? And why did they make this move?

2. Which female at Perth was exported, and where to?

3. Is it correct Adelaide never reared any of the babies born there to Karta & Kluett?
Click to expand...

1. Melbourne Zoo sent 1.2 Sumatran orangutan to Sydney Zoo in 2019. Since Melbourne Zoo could easily accomodate the orangutans it had, the move would have been made because: 1) They were surplus to the breeding programme and they wanted to import breeding Sumatran orangutans; or 2) Because they plan to phase them out in favour of joining the Bornean orangutan breeding programme. Both options are possible - neither have been confirmed. For the time being, they’ve retained a young Sumatran male and two hybrids.

2. Negara (1993) was sent to Oklahoma Zoo in 2017.

3. Short answer yes. Many of the infants were stillborn, so they never got the chance. By the time they realised the issue was not with her raising them; but feeding them - it was sadly too late. Prior to the last infant (in which Karta died giving birth to), the staff had devised an elaborate plan to assist her with feeding the baby. They sadly never got a chance to implement this.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Auckland Zoo are receiving two female Bornean orangutan in 2021 from the Ústí nad Labem Zoological Gardens in the Czech Republic.

The new females are named Naninka (born 1987 approx) and Cantik (born December 2011).

They will be the first Bornean orangutan imported into the Australasian region since 1995.
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marmolady said:
Wow, that IS exciting!
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It’s especially exciting given the genetic value of this mother and daughter dyad - one wild born; one first generation. It gives a clear indication Auckland Zoo will be breeding again in the near future.

The studbook lists Nuninka’s alternative name as Dwang; and DOB as 1988 approx. Cantik is listed as Cantic in the studbook; but mentioned as Cantik on the zoo’s website and several media releases.

Their records are as follows:

0.1 Nuninka
Born in the wild (Borneo) 01/01/1988
Arrived at Ústí nad Labem Zoo 27/03/1989
Still at Ústí nad Labem Zoo

Nuninka has given birth to five offspring:

0.1 Raja (20/12/1998) Died 23/12/1999

1.0 Amos (20/12/2000) Exported 24/07/2008 (Apenheul Primate Park)

1.0 Budi (20/01/2007) Exported 29/09/2015 (Cologne Zoo)

0.1 Cantik (17/12/2011) Still at Ústí nad Labem Zoo

0.1 Unnamed (14/12/2016) Died 11/02/2017

All were sired by a wild born Bornean orangutan named Nunak, who died in 2017.

Photos:

Nuninka: Bornean orangutan called Nuninka empty enclosure Usti Editorial Stock Photo - Stock Image | Shutterstock

Cantik: Bornean orangutan female called Cantik outdoor enclosure Editorial Stock Photo - Stock Image | Shutterstock
 
Orangutans in Australasian Zoos (2020)

Auckland Zoo

Bornean orangutan:

1.0 Charlie (21/03/1981) Zabu x Girlie
0.1 Melur (11/06/1988) Laki x Yasmin
0.1 Nuninka (01/01/1987) Wild x Wild (arriving 2021)
0.1 Cantik (17/12/2011) Nunak x Nuninka (arriving 2021)

Hybrid orangutan:

0.1 Wanita (23/03/1979) Roy x Wendy

Adelaide Zoo

Sumatran orangutan:

1.0 Kluet (18/07/1995) Gambar x Gina
0.1 Puspa (01/01/1975) Atjeh x Puan

Melbourne Zoo

Sumatran orangutan:

1.0 Malu (29/07/2003) Santan x Maimunah

Hybrid orangutan:

0.1 Kiani (24/06/1978) Bobby x Olga
0.1 Gabby (01/01/1990) Santan x Kiani

Mogo Zoo

Hybrid orangutan:

1.0 Jantan (11/07/1987) Perang x Judy II
0.1 Willow (09/05/1985) Perang x Wendy

Perth Zoo

Sumatran orangutan:

1.0 Dinar (06/03/1987) Dinding x Abigail
1.0 Sungai (30/12/2011) Dinar x Sekara
0.1 Puteri (12/06/1970) Atjeh x Puan
0.1 Utama (19/06/1979) Atjeh x Puteri
0.1 Sekara (20/07/1990) Hsing Hsing x Puspa
0.1 Pulang (21/12/1993) Atjeh x Puan
0.1 Teliti (20/10/2009) Hsing Hsing x Puteri
0.1 Lestari (09/01/2012) Hsing Hsing x Pulang

Sydney Zoo

Sumatran orangutan:

1.0 Santan (12/10/1977) Mias x Puppe
0.1 Maimunah (23/05/1986) Pongo x Timor
0.1 Dewi (06/12/2010) Santan x Maimunah
 
Does anyone have dates of birth and paternity details of the chimpanzees at Wellington Zoo?
 
marmolady said:
Does anyone have dates of birth and paternity details of the chimpanzees at Wellington Zoo?
Click to expand...

0.1 Jessie (10/07/1978) Tom x Yoka
0.1 Cara (10/09/1981) Jojo x Chiki
0.1 Samantha (25/12/1983) Jojo x Sutu
0.1 Sally (13/01/1985) Jojo x Spitter
1.0 Marty (28/01/1987) Tom x Bebe
0.1 Keza (06/07/1998) Marty x Samantha
1.0 Alexis (20/08/1998) Boyd x Cara *ALPHA MALE
0.1 Malika (27/10/2010) Sam x Samantha
1.0 Bakari (11/06/2012) Sam x Sally
1.0 Kitwe (15/11/2014) Sam x Keza
 
Chimpanzees in Australasian Zoos (2020)
Please give details for any edits needed to make this more accurate. :)

Taronga Zoo-- 8.12

Males
Shabani, b.14/09/1994 at Taronga, Monte x Shiba
Samaki, b.27/11/2001 at Taronga, Lubutu x Shiba
Furahi, b.28/02/2003 at Taronga, Lubutu x Kuma
Shikamoo, b.25/07/2003 at Taronga, Lubutu x Sacha
Sule, b.04/04/2008 at Taronga, Lubutu x Sacha
Fumo, b.16/10/2013 at Taronga, Shikamoo x Kuma
Sudi, b.09/08/2014 at Taronga, Shikamoo x Kuma
Liwali, b.22/09/2014 at Taronga, Samaki x Lisa

Females
Spitter, b. 01/06/1960 at Taronga, Sailor x Biddy
Lisa, b.23/08/1979 at Taronga, Jojo x Lulu
Sacha, b.11/06/1980 at Taronga, Jojo x Spitter
Shiba, b.22/05/1981 at Taronga, Jojo x Suzie
Shona (sterilised), b.09/10/1987 at Taronga, Danny x Sutu
Ceres, b.19/09/1990 at Givskud, Toto x Jenny
Kuma, b.06/12/1991 at Taronga, Snowy x Ficha
Kamili, b.02/09/1995 at Taronga, Snowy x Koko
Naomi, b.25/01/2001 at Givskud, Toto x Jenny
Sembe, b.27/02/2008 at Taronga, Lubutu x Shiba
Cebele, b.14/11/2017 at Taronga, Samaki x Ceres
Safiri, b. 05/2019 at Taronga, ??? x Shiba


Sydney Zoo-- 7.4

Males
Fritz, 26/03/1982 at private, ??? x ???
Maike, b.18/05/1990 at Jaderberg, ??? x ???
Timmy (neutered), b.09/11/1991 at Schwaben, ??? x Cindy
Charli (neutered), b.29/04/1994 at Schwaben, Tommy x Cindy
Jerry (neutered), b.04/12/1995 at Schwaben, ??? x Mzde
Mani (neutered), b.04/06/2000 at Schwaben, ??? x Cindy
Moggli, b.01/10/2009 at Schwaben, ??? x Mzde

Females
Babsi, b.10/09/1984 at Schwaben, Tommy x Chita
Julchen, b.14/04/1985 at Schwaben, ??? x ???
Mary, b.18/12/2002 at Schwaben, ??? x Mzde
Sile, b.03/07/2006 at Schwaben, ??? x Julchen


Monarto Safari Park-- 5.7

Males
Boyd (vasectomised), 29/10/78 at Wellington, Tom x Bebe
Tsotsi, b.25/06/1989 at Adelaide, Peter x Fimi
Gombe (vasectomised), b.04/02/1993 at Wellington, Boyd x Jodie
Sandali, b.26/02/1996 at Taronga, Snowy x Sacha
Enzi, b.19/10/2015 at Monarto, Sandali x Zombi

Females
Zombi, b. 15/03/1995 at Burgers, Ayo x Zola
Hannah, b.28/11/1993 at Belfast, Andy x Annie
Galatea, b.24/02/1999 at Burgers, Fons x Gaby
Lani, b.26/05/2002 at Taronga, Lubutu x Lisa
Zuri, b.21/08/2012 at Monarto, Sandali x Zombi
Hope, b.19/02/2019 at Monarto, Tsotsi x Hannah
Zola, b. 08/09/2019 at Monarto, ??? x Zombi


Rockhampton Zoo-- 3.4

Males
Cassius, b.18/10/1971 at Coolangatta, ??? x ???
Alon, b.29/01/2008 at Tel Aviv, Abshalom x Avigail
Gandali, b.03/02/2020 at Rockhampton, Alon x Holly

Females
Samantha, b.01/11/1983 at ??? x Coco at Willowbank
Holly, b.25/05/1988
Leakey, b.30/12/1994 at Tel Aviv, Chuck x Lilli
Capri, b.11/02/2018 at Rockhampton, Alon x Leakey


Wellington Zoo-- 4.6

Males
Marty, b.28/01/1987 at Wellington, Tom x Bebe
Alexis, b. 20/08/1998 at Wellington, Boyd x Cara
Bakari, b.11/06/2012 at Wellington, Sam x Sally
Kitwe, b.15/11/2014 at Wellington, Sam x Keza

Females
Jessie, b.10/07/1978 at Wellington, Tom x Yoka
Cara, b.10/09/1981 at Taronga, Jojo x Chiki
Samantha, b.25/12/1983 at Taronga, Jojo x Sutu
Sally, b.13/01/1985 at Taronga, Jojo x Spitter
Keza, b.06/07/1998 at Wellington, Marty x Samantha


Hamilton Zoo-- 2.4

Males
Lucifer, b.1988 at Auckland, Mike x Lucy
Luka, b.1993 at Auckland, Mike x Lucy

Females
Sally, b.1970 at Auckland, ??? x Sissy
Lucy, b. November 1975 at Taronga, Jojo x Lulu
Sanda, b.10/04/1985 at Adelaide, Peter x Fimi
Chiku, b.15/02/2016 at Hamilton, Luka x Sanda
 
marmolady said:
Chimpanzees in Australasian Zoos (2020)
Please give details for any edits needed to make this more accurate. :)

Taronga Zoo-- 8.12

Males
Shabani, b.14/09/1994 at Taronga, Monte x Shiba
Samaki, b.27/11/2001 at Taronga, Lubutu x Shiba
Furahi, b.28/02/2003 at Taronga, Lubutu x Kuma
Shikamoo, b.25/07/2003 at Taronga, Lubutu x Sacha
Sule, b.04/04/2008 at Taronga, Lubutu x Sacha
Fumo, b.16/10/2013 at Taronga, Shikamoo x Kuma
Sudi, b.09/08/2014 at Taronga, Shikamoo x Kuma
Liwali, b.22/09/2014 at Taronga, Samaki x Lisa

Females
Spitter, b. 01/06/1960 at Taronga, Sailor x Biddy
Lisa, b.23/08/1979 at Taronga, Jojo x Lulu
Sacha, b.11/06/1980 at Taronga, Jojo x Spitter
Shiba, b.22/05/1981 at Taronga, Jojo x Suzie
Shona (sterilised), b.09/10/1987 at Taronga, Danny x Sutu
Ceres, b.19/09/1990 at Givskud, Toto x Jenny
Kuma, b.06/12/1991 at Taronga, Snowy x Ficha
Kamili, b.02/09/1995 at Taronga, Snowy x Koko
Naomi, b.25/01/2001 at Givskud, Toto x Jenny
Sembe, b.27/02/2008 at Taronga, Lubutu x Shiba
Cebele, b.14/11/2017 at Taronga, Samaki x Ceres
Safiri, b. 05/2019 at Taronga, ??? x Shiba


Sydney Zoo-- 7.4

Males
Fritz, 26/03/1982 at private, ??? x ???
Maike, b.18/05/1990 at Jaderberg, ??? x ???
Timmy (neutered), b.09/11/1991 at Schwaben, ??? x Cindy
Charli (neutered), b.29/04/1994 at Schwaben, Tommy x Cindy
Jerry (neutered), b.04/12/1995 at Schwaben, ??? x Mzde
Mani (neutered), b.04/06/2000 at Schwaben, ??? x Cindy
Moggli, b.01/10/2009 at Schwaben, ??? x Mzde

Females
Babsi, b.10/09/1984 at Schwaben, Tommy x Chita
Julchen, b.14/04/1985 at Schwaben, ??? x ???
Mary, b.18/12/2002 at Schwaben, ??? x Mzde
Sile, b.03/07/2006 at Schwaben, ??? x Julchen


Monarto Safari Park-- 5.7

Males
Boyd (vasectomised), 29/10/78 at Wellington, Tom x Bebe
Tsotsi, b.25/06/1989 at Adelaide, Peter x Fimi
Gombe (vasectomised), b.04/02/1993 at Wellington, Boyd x Jodie
Sandali, b.26/02/1996 at Taronga, Snowy x Sacha
Enzi, b.19/10/2015 at Monarto, Sandali x Zombi

Females
Zombi, b. 15/03/1995 at Burgers, Ayo x Zola
Hannah, b.28/11/1993 at Belfast, Andy x Annie
Galatea, b.24/02/1999 at Burgers, Fons x Gaby
Lani, b.26/05/2002 at Taronga, Lubutu x Lisa
Zuri, b.21/08/2012 at Monarto, Sandali x Zombi
Hope, b.19/02/2019 at Monarto, Tsotsi x Hannah
Zola, b. 08/09/2019 at Monarto, ??? x Zombi


Rockhampton Zoo-- 3.4

Males
Cassius, b.18/10/1971 at Coolangatta, ??? x ???
Alon, b.29/01/2008 at Tel Aviv, Abshalom x Avigail
Gandali, b.03/02/2020 at Rockhampton, Alon x Holly

Females
Samantha, b.01/11/1983 at ??? x Coco at Willowbank
Holly, b.25/05/1988
Leakey, b.30/12/1994 at Tel Aviv, Chuck x Lilli
Capri, b.11/02/2018 at Rockhampton, Alon x Leakey


Wellington Zoo-- 4.6

Males
Marty, b.28/01/1987 at Wellington, Tom x Bebe
Alexis, b. 20/08/1998 at Wellington, Boyd x Cara
Bakari, b.11/06/2012 at Wellington, Sam x Sally
Kitwe, b.15/11/2014 at Wellington, Sam x Keza

Females
Jessie, b.10/07/1978 at Wellington, Tom x Yoka
Cara, b.10/09/1981 at Taronga, Jojo x Chiki
Samantha, b.25/12/1983 at Taronga, Jojo x Sutu
Sally, b.13/01/1985 at Taronga, Jojo x Spitter
Keza, b.06/07/1998 at Wellington, Marty x Samantha


Hamilton Zoo-- 2.4

Males
Lucifer, b.1988 at Auckland, Mike x Lucy
Luka, b.1993 at Auckland, Mike x Lucy

Females
Sally, b.1970 at Auckland, ??? x Sissy
Lucy, b. November 1975 at Taronga, Jojo x Lulu
Sanda, b.10/04/1985 at Adelaide, Peter x Fimi
Chiku, b.15/02/2016 at Hamilton, Luka x Sanda
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Good work @marmolady, it’s nice to have this all in one place.

Just a few notes:

Hamilton Zoo

Sally was sired by Charlie, who died at Auckland Zoo in 1971. She is the only living offspring of her two wild born parents. I’d be willing to bet that Sally is a purebred, given that her parents arrived via the same animal dealer (likely caught from the same or neighbouring troops).

Lucy was sired by Bobby, not Jojo. She was the last of Bobby’s 37 offspring (he died the year she was born). Retrospectively, Lucy was a poor candidate for relocation to Auckland in 1985. Aside from the fact she was the half sister of Mike, she had a newborn infant at the time (which Mike subsequently killed).

Rockhampton Zoo

Cassius was born to Chiko and Mary. Mary was the offspring of Susie (also the mother of Sutu and Shiba). Chiko was the offspring of Sadie. Both Mary and Chiko were sired by Bobby.

Samantha was born to Charlie and Coco. They were both wild born and Samantha is their only living surviving descendent. She is the most genetically valuable chimpanzee in the region, along with Sally at Hamilton Zoo.

Holly was born at Bullens Wild Animal Park to Peter and Deanne. Peter was born at Wellington Zoo to Tom and Bebe. Deanne was born to Bobo and Sara. Sara was also the mother of Sam at Wellington Zoo. Bobo was born to Tom and Molly at Wellington Zoo.
 
Thank you for all that! It sounds as if sending Lucy to Auckland was an absolute blunder of a decision. I honestly can’t see the logic behind that.
I’d say Maike and Fritz (Sydney) and Galatea (Monarto) would have the same genetic value to the region as Samantha and Sally. The fact that paternity of a lot of the Sydney chimps makes it harder to assess.
 
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marmolady said:
Thank you for all that! It sounds as if sending Lucy to Auckland was an absolute blunder of a decision. I honestly can’t see the logic behind that.
I’d say Maike and Fritz (Sydney) and Galatea (Monarto) would have the same genetic value to the region as Samantha and Sally. The fact that paternity of a lot of the Sydney chimps makes it harder to assess.
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Happy to help! :)

It really was. They should have sent Belle, who was born the same year as Lucy. She was also a half sister, but didn’t have a surviving infant until 1986. Or better yet, waited another two years and sent Lisa (who would have been eight), who was more distantly related. The reason Lucy was sent at all was because Auckland Zoo’s hand raised females, Suzie and Sally, hadn’t bred with Mike in the three years he’d been at the zoo. They thought seeing Mike breed with Lucy (a mother raised chimp) would teach them.

It was good to see the info you were able to provide on Sydney Zoo’s chimpanzees. They were completely unhelpful (as they have been with any questions I’ve asked) when I asked if females were off contraception etc. so I don’t know what their breeding plans are. Looking at the info you’ve provided, two females are a mother and daughter; one has two brothers; and the fourth has no direct relatives. She’s also approaching the end of her reproductive years.
 
Something to keep in mind with Sydney Zoo's chimps is that they came from an unusual situation. I'm not sure how many of them were mother-reared; Schwaben Park was well known (infamous, really) for its performing chimpanzee shows. A whole lot of infants were pulled so they could be handled. I don't know details about the individuals at SZ, but it's possible the females have very limited infant-rearing knowledge. It would be fantastic if Babsi (who may not have any relatives in the group) could have an infant before she is too old.
 
Zoofan15 said:
0.1 Jessie (10/07/1978) Tom x Yoka
0.1 Cara (10/09/1981) Jojo x Chiki
0.1 Samantha (25/12/1983) Jojo x Sutu
0.1 Sally (13/01/1985) Jojo x Spitter
1.0 Marty (28/01/1987) Tom x Bebe
0.1 Keza (06/07/1998) Marty x Samantha
1.0 Alexis (20/08/1998) Boyd x Cara *ALPHA MALE
0.1 Malika (27/10/2010) Sam x Samantha
1.0 Bakari (11/06/2012) Sam x Sally
1.0 Kitwe (15/11/2014) Sam x Keza
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Wellington Zoo have an ageing population of chimps!
 
Tafin said:
Wellington Zoo have an ageing population of chimps!
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They haven't imported since 1992 and those three females are now aged 35 to 39. Cara, Samantha and Sally's paternal grandmother (Fifi) lived to 60; as did Cara's maternal grandmother (Bessie); and Sally's mother (Spitter) has just turned 60, so there's no reason to believe these three shouldn't reach a similar age. They're all in excellent health. Similarly, Marty is fit and well; and has a brother still alive at 42, so there's hope for him to reach a similar age.

Aside from the lack of imports, Wellington Zoo's chimpanzees have suffered a high mortality rate - with several of the infants born in the troop dying before reaching adulthood. To date Cara has lost two infants; Samantha has lost one adult offspring; and Sally has lost two infants, two juveniles and an adolescent offspring.

I'm not aware of any plans to import in the near future. They're hoping Sally will fall pregnant soon, Keza is of prime reproductive age and Malika is approaching adulthood. These females will sustain the troop for the foreseeable.
 
What's the latest with Monarto's troop?

Are Zuri and Lani are contraception?
Is Galatea still trying to conceive?
 
Lani and Zuri are on the pill, to my knowledge. Galatea isn't presently on contraceptives and is having fairly regular swellings. It's a real shame it's not happened for her yet, as she's wonderful with the infants.
 
marmolady said:
Lani and Zuri are on the pill, to my knowledge. Galatea isn't presently on contraceptives and is having fairly regular swellings. It's a real shame it's not happened for her yet, as she's wonderful with the infants.
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Sounds like Naomi at Taronga, who similarly can't have her own infant. I wonder if they will investigate the cause of Galatea not conceiving.
 
She never had her implanon implant removed; it was left to wear off naturally. It has taken a long time for her cycles to become regular, but it sounds like it's getting there. After losing Zwala under anaesthetic, I don't believe they'd anaesthetise Galatea unless it was totally necessary.
 
Taronga have announced the birth of a female infant on the 7th of October to first time mother Naomi. This is fantastic news after Naomi’s reproductive struggles that were explored in the documentary series earlier this year.
 
marmolady said:
Taronga have announced the birth of a female infant on the 7th of October to first time mother Naomi. This is fantastic news after Naomi’s reproductive struggles that were explored in the documentary series earlier this year.
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That’s awesome news! And another female infant as well.

Naomi is exceptionally maternal towards her niece, Cebele, so will make a great mother. Though they struggle due to their low ranking in the hierarchy, every infant born into this family will eventually add support and see them find their place in the community.

0.1 Ceres (1990) Imported 2015
0.1 Naomi (2001) Imported 2015
0.1 Cebele (2017) Samaki x Cebele
0.1 Baby N (2020) Unknown x Naomi

It’ll be interesting to see who the father is. Samaki and Shikamoo are the most likely candidates in my opinion. Furahi may be high ranking, but a lot of the females fear him.

In the meantime, they have Safiri’s paternity to establish also (most likely Shikamoo).
 
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