NEW BABY BONOBO JUST IN TIME FOR THE NEW YEAR
Powell, OH – Columbus Zoo and Aquarium animal care staff arrived at work this morning, December 28, 2010 and discovered the anticipated birth of a baby bonobo. The baby, whose sex is still unknown, is the 12th bonobo born at the Columbus Zoo since the Zoo received its first bonobos in 1990 in conjunction with the Species Survival Plan (SSP) for this endangered ape.
This is the third baby for mother “Ana Neema” who is caring for the newborn in the company of the other bonobos in her group including her offspring 9-year-old “Bila Isa” and 4-year-old “Gilda” who came with her from the Milwaukee County Zoo in 2008. Bonobos live in dynamic groups and confirmation of the baby’s sire, either “Toby” or “Donnie”, awaits the results of genetic paternity testing. There are only nine facilities in North America caring for bonobos and there are currently 16 bonobos at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.
