Lowland Gorillas in Europe 2023

Pertinax

Well-Known Member
15+ year member
Chessington's (UK) old female Bafia has died aged 54 (euthanased). She arrived with partner Kumba in 1969. She has no descendants though as she herself had no young. She had lived largely offshow and seperate from the group for a number of years.
 
Does anyone know who will be the individuals transferred to the new infrastructure located at “Zoo du Bassin d’Arcachon” (France) ?

I listed 27 young males potentially concerned distributed in 18 different zoos. They are Nakou (2009, Burger), Ebo (2012, Valencia), Lope (2013, Twycross), Nukta (2013, Burger), N’Kato (2013, Burger), Baaku (2013, Belfast), Madiba (2013, Burger), Aybo (2014, Rotterdam), Tonda (2014, Wilhelma), Kajari (2015, Wilhelma), Jahari (2015, Lisboa), Pepe (2015, Krefeld), Thabo (2015, Rotterdam), Mobali (2015, Basel), Masani (2015, Wilhelma), Ayo (2015, Duisburg), Gernot (2015, London), Yamba (2015, Beauval), Kiwano (2016, Beauval), Kibao (2016, La Palmyre), Shae (2016, Artis), Kiano (2016, Koln), Ajabu (2016, Praha), Koundi (2016, Port Lympne), Muenda (2016, Duisburg), Kouam (2016, La Vallée des Singes) and Shufai (2016, Twycross). So, the coordinator therefore has a lot of young males to place in bachelor groups, the question is to know which of them will be chosen to be the 6 gorillas of the Zoo du Bassin d’Arcachon…

From a geographical point of view, the ideal would be to bring animals from La Palmyre, Beauval or “La Vallée des Singes”. I think that placing N'Yuki from La Palmyre in a group of males would not be a bad idea, he is currently blocking the reproductive potential of Ybana and Maile while they belong to a relatively underrepresented bloodline. And this because in my opinion he does not know how to reproduce, Kibao (last birth in La Palmyre) is most certainly a son of Bangui.
 
I think that placing N'Yuki from La Palmyre in a group of males would not be a bad idea, he is currently blocking the reproductive potential of Ybana and Maile while they belong to a relatively underrepresented bloodline. And this because in my opinion he does not know how to reproduce, Kibao (last birth in La Palmyre) is most certainly a son of Bangui.

I agree on your point here. Nyuki was handraised and lived many years into maturity only with his half-brother 'Mike'. I didn't think he would be a breeder and that has turned out to be the case indeed. It would be better if he became the 'senior' male in this new male group- or one of the two groups as is mentioned- perhaps.

I doubt the males from Twycross, Belfast or London would be included as there are so many (23 on your list !) other suitable-aged candidates already in Europe. Also Twycross in UK propose, I think, to house a male group of their own in the future when new accomodation is built and in the meantime have old Ape accomodation that could be used for their two young males in the interim if need be. I think in the future maybe the London and Belfast young males might be added potentially to that group but I could be wrong of course...

Do you know if the new accomodation is ready for them yet or the time-frame?
 
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Do you know if the new accomodation is ready for them yet or the time-frame?

In my view, the installation will not be ready before this summer. I saw some images of the worksite and although being advanced there is still work before being able to welcome the first gorillas.
Moreover, I don't know what are the recommendations of the EEP in terms of bachelor groups, I do not know if it is recommended to form groups in the presence of a silverback or the creation of groups only composed of blackbacks is acceptable.
In any case, I know that the future individuals of the zoo will be divided into two groups of three.
 
Moreover, I don't know what are the recommendations of the EEP in terms of bachelor groups, I do not know if it is recommended to form groups in the presence of a silverback or the creation of groups only composed of blackbacks is acceptable.
In any case, I know that the future individuals of the zoo will be divided into two groups of three.

I think EEP prefer to place a silverback with younger males where possible, but it might depend on which males are available or the need to place several younger males from their existing zoos. Quembo (2010) at Frankfurt is another male who comes into that category also.
 
Normally the EEP forms a group without silverbacks. That way after they all develop into silverbacks they slowly transition from the age based group rank into a more settled pattern. However tension in these groups is always around and a rigid structure should be kept by their keepers. Ouwehands is a good example of this. They also intend to only form stable groups with non breeding individuals as to not having to alter the group structure. However no males will be castrated or get a vasectomy to ensure the potential to go to a family group. So when a group is formed they in general don't intend to add or remove individuals. That being said if the excess of males keeps piling on they might have to at some point.
 
Well, Quembo. Hopefully he will be a breeder by himself in the future!
 
How come Sawa and Quembo live separated from the breeding group ?
Ouwehands is a good example of this

Indeed, after reflection the EEP seems to appreciate this model, it is also the case in Beauval. The layout of the "Zoo du Bassin d'Arcachon" will also be relatively similar to that of the male gorillas of Beauval.
 
Quembo was seperated from the group due to aggression by his father. Later they gave him Sawa for company I think.
I would favour him a group as a future silverback leader. Maybe a candidate at the Apenheul second group.
Don't know how BauBau is building his prolific group with youngsters?
 
The group at Paira Daiza has a silverback with two younger males, but he was already present before the two younger males arrived.
The group at pairi daiza all has potential breeders. No animals that are written off already. The EEP will use the model I describes above when making a group with non breeders.
 
How come Sawa and Quembo live separated from the breeding group ?


Indeed, after reflection the EEP seems to appreciate this model, it is also the case in Beauval. The layout of the "Zoo du Bassin d'Arcachon" will also be relatively similar to that of the male gorillas of Beauval.
So it will be two groups of three same/similar- aged males in each probably.
 
Does anyone know which Prague females (if any) are off contraception? I'm guessing Shinda (1991) and Duni (2013), but would be interested to know for sure.

Kijivu (1993) has three surviving offspring and Kamba is obviously non viable.
 
Does anyone know which Prague females (if any) are off contraception? I'm guessing Shinda (1991) and Duni (2013), but would be interested to know for sure.

Kijivu (1993) has three surviving offspring and Kamba is obviously non viable.
Maybe people in the Prague zoo thread would know if no one knows here.
 
Does anyone know which Prague females (if any) are off contraception? I'm guessing Shinda (1991) and Duni (2013), but would be interested to know for sure.

Kijivu (1993) has three surviving offspring and Kamba is obviously non viable.

Duni and Kijivu are allowed to have 1 baby each. They are off contraception.
 
Not now. :( Quembo has been moved to Mysore Zoo in India. They have two males already from memory.
In a video on facebook, the zoo announces the reasons for leaving, do you have the translation ?
A transfer to a park so far away is surprising, can this mean that this male will not reproduce ?
 
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