they need some time to adjust to the new circumstances. hopefully Kiangi will find a safe place.
Lowland Gorillas in Europe 2025
- Thread starter MennoPebesma
- Start date
From what I can gather, both groups seemed mutually interested in one another, so attempting an introduction now when there is an interest and positive signs are present is the best course of action.
This is his first time leading a troop, and he does have four mature adult females to deal with so I'm not surprised. Give him some time, and he should ease into it.
I think with Viking at Burgers, that him being on new territory is another factor, which makes him less confident than if he was on his home ground. I'm sure things will improve with time. But they say at present that they can't let him outside yet, perhaps they are
worried that he might not want to come back inside with those females!
The Apenhuel situation is potentially a good one, I'll be surprised if Banjoko doesn't take to them all.
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Update from Burgers-the group can now go outside.
A recent video shows Viking exploring his new outdoor enclosure at Burgers. He is ignoring the females but understandably as he is preoccupied with exploring the new situation. A couple of the females (one in particular) do show a network of old cuts on their backs indicating there was fighting on his introduction. His own smaller cuts have healed, meaning there hasn't been much (any?) more recently. He is a lovely male. The enclosure looks quite well wooded- is it the same one they have always lived in?
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Yes it is. But new climbing structures were built earlier this year.
Apenheul provided an update today:
"All the gorillas are now together and they passed the night well. They will stay inside for a while to get used to each other further."
The Burgers enclosure looks more wooded than I remember from my visit but it was a very long time ago now.
That's good news from Apenheul. A speedy mix and any fears for Kiango's treatment by Banjoko are hopefully resolved by this. Will be good to see them as a single group from now.
That's good news from Apenheul. A speedy mix and any fears for Kiango's treatment by Banjoko are hopefully resolved by this. Will be good to see them as a single group from now.
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wow.
what is name of that female?
Apparently the youngest female N'Aika (2005) from comments.
Over the past few days, the group has had time to get used to each other in the indoor enclosure. Today, they were allowed outside together for the first time. The expectation is that it will take some time before the new situation feels completely familiar to each individual, but the keepers are very satisfied with how the process has gone so far.
Source: Facebook Apenheul
The 26-year-old silverback M'Tongé has died at Zoo Basel. He was suffering from an infection with the fox tapeworm. Due to the advanced stage of the disease, the team of veterinarians had to make the decision to euthanise him.
Source: Facebook Zoo Basel
Source: Facebook Zoo Basel
This is bad news. They have previously also lost more than one other gorilla to this, it seems rife in their group.
It may be a historic thing, they were only the 2nd zoo in the world to breed a gorilla and the group developed largely from their subsequent early births. Though like many groups the early founders and their descendents have largely been replaced by unrelated 'outsiders' nowadays. But the zoo's long-established pride of their place in captive gorilla- keeping might be a reason, plus it wasn't so long ago they built them a large outdoor area either. I think it would be folly to bring in yet another male now though and subject him to the same danger, though they have indicated a replacement will be requested. The whole situation presents a difficult dilemma for them.
That information is not correct. It's not N'Aika, but her mom N'Gayla.
I don't know anything about a breeding recommendation at Apenheul, but since Mizani was born not so long ago, I don't expect another young any time soon. Especially since there is little breeding going on in Europe anyway due to lack of space.
In addition, Apenheul will be working step by step over the coming years to completely renovate the gorilla area. So having a newborn in the group in the middle of those renovations might not be ideal either.
From what I know of the EEP is that they always try to have at least 2 offspring in a group for social developmental reasons. So depending on how they count Kiango and how the contraceptive situation was I would not rule out one more offspring.