Yes, its Kipenzi; who seems to be showing a fair amount of interest which is a good sign.
Mogo Wildlife Park Mogo Zoo News
- Thread starter Jet
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Yes, its Kipenzi; who seems to be showing a fair amount of interest which is a good sign.
1.0 Javan Gibbon, Owa, is due to be transferred from Perth Zoo to Mogo to be paired with female Jawa according to the species coordinator: https://www.6pr.com.au/meet-the-perth-zoo-animals-looking-for-love-this-valentines-day/
Twin Pygmy Marmosets have been born at Mogo - reported on social media.
Twin Golden Lion Tamarins were born a month ago at Mogo Wildlife Park - reported on social media.
Kaius to be introduced to G-Ann:
Mogo’s director has announced on socials that the plan is to introduce Kaius to G-Ann in two months time.
I was previously under the impression this was the back up option to reintroducing him to his troop, so hopefully that remains the eventual goal and this is a temporary solution to providing him with some gorilla-gorilla contact.
G-Ann was handraised and doesn’t model the behaviour of a mother raised gorilla. Combined with the absence of a troop (including a silverback), this isn’t ideal for Kaius’ social development long term: but it’s better than nothing and will surely prove enriching for both her and Kaius.
Mogo’s director has announced on socials that the plan is to introduce Kaius to G-Ann in two months time.
I was previously under the impression this was the back up option to reintroducing him to his troop, so hopefully that remains the eventual goal and this is a temporary solution to providing him with some gorilla-gorilla contact.
G-Ann was handraised and doesn’t model the behaviour of a mother raised gorilla. Combined with the absence of a troop (including a silverback), this isn’t ideal for Kaius’ social development long term: but it’s better than nothing and will surely prove enriching for both her and Kaius.
I suspect they are still nervous of integrating him into the main group and silverback- they don't have any previous experience of surrogacy. This option means they can probably still be hands on with him if need be. Its not the best but better than his situation now I think. But the longer they put off a full integration the harder it will be.
Agreed. The concern I have is his introduction to G-Ann will detract from the bond they’re attempting to maintain between Kaius and his natal troop. Any period of time Kaius is in contact with G-Ann is creating a bond between them - and lessening his contact with his natal troop, who don’t regard G-Ann as a member of their troop. This has the potential to increase the risk to Kaius when reintroduced to the adults in his natal troop, especially his father.
There has been some critisism, mainly on one particular specialist 'gorilla related' FB page about his early rearing so far. Mainly by Americans I think where some zoos advocate reintroduction/surrogacy at the earliest possible age- but they were the initiators of this system and have far more experience that Mogo don't have. I think they have chosen this as a safer method of giving him full contact with another gorilla, but it has the potential problems you outline.
The director stated on socials re. his decision to intervene: There has been a bit of judgment about this decision with some so called “experts” openly saying they would have let him die or euthanise him because he was a male baby gorilla.
He doesn’t clarify who specifically he’s referring to, but I know many zoos have a policy that they don’t handraise great apes. I know of zoos who have euthanised rejected chimpanzee infants, with the rationale being they’re a long lived species where the consequences of their decision to intervene could have a lasting impact extending several decades. In some cases, the problem has transferred onto to the next generation - where a handraised female has produced a daughter, who has in turn learned some of her mother’s abnormal social behaviour.
It’s not my place to judge whether the right decision was made re. Kaius but there’s the potential for this situation to go two ways. I hope for Kaius’ sake (and everyone else’s) that a successful reintroduction to his natal troop can be achieved long term (the best possible outcome).
Yes,I did hear that too though I think more of the critisism has been over the human-orientated content of the publicity releases, making some fearful he's not up to now, been having sufficient contact/bonding time with the group etc. Of course being Mogo's first ever baby gorilla they were always going to rear him irrespective of his sex, especially after the touch and go post birth experiences. As I said above, I think their inexperience in having to face a dilemma like this with their first gorilla birth has a lot to do with their decision-making here. It doesn't matter what other more experienced zoos might advise, they'll do what they think best. But the most recent video shows they still aren't using helpful aids like a gorilla-type 'fur' vest or anything that might help his grip.
Placing him with GAnne is no doubt a safer option for them overall but could be problematic longterm. If GAnne was to fully adopt him, carrying him all the time etc, then a full reintroduction might be possible later on, even if she is an outsider in the group, but if she doesn't really fulfil the role, it stays difficult.
For me, I would have tried him with his own mother first I think, even if only on a 1.1. basis.
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Knowing G Anne I don’t think there’s much chance she’d take full responsibility for Kaius, or even just go as much as carrying him around. She may do it on occasion, but she’s always been very disinterested in little ones and she never was much of a maternal female to any of the babies back at Melbourne (even her own).
Perhaps this is simply an opportunity to give her (and Kaius) companionship more than anything.
I agree 100% on your comments here.
At the moment he's still being hand raised but is now spending almost all of his time down in the gorilla house with the whole extended family.
G Anne continues to show the most interest with him and his introduction with her as his surrogate will be hopefully completed within the coming months.
A recent interview (last weekend) with an Australian news channel, mentioned that mesh introductions between Kaius and G-Anne have been going smoothly so far. He now spends the majority of his time in an area of the Gorilla house next to G-Anne.
G-Anne will pass him food through the bars and often sit by the mesh next to him. They plan to try a full introduction between them within the next 3/4 weeks
That’s good to know introductions are progressing well.
G-Anne alone can’t provide a complete education to Kaius. She has social deficiencies herself and he won’t have a model for silverback behaviour; but as well as ensuring his safety, this introduction will at least provide him with companionship and more socials skills than any human interaction can provide.
It’s my belief Kaius’ future lies in a bachelor troop - and this introduction will hopefully provide him with the skills needed to make that transition in years to come. I have no doubt this is a positive move.
Kaius ready to be introduced to G-Anne:
According to Mogo’s director, Kaius is ready to be introduced to G-Anne, following positive signs observed in their interactions through the mesh.
Though a mother-raised family troop would provide a better model for the behaviours he needs to learn, this is a positive step nonetheless.
There’s an article here. It’s behind a paywall, though I’m inclined to believe the above will give you the gist of it:
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...ic-groupa-test-noscore&V21spcbehaviour=append
According to Mogo’s director, Kaius is ready to be introduced to G-Anne, following positive signs observed in their interactions through the mesh.
Though a mother-raised family troop would provide a better model for the behaviours he needs to learn, this is a positive step nonetheless.
There’s an article here. It’s behind a paywall, though I’m inclined to believe the above will give you the gist of it:
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...ic-groupa-test-noscore&V21spcbehaviour=append
Still quite a lot of critisism on the gorilla-type Facebook groups about the way this is being handled and the time taken over the introduction, which despite the talk, still hasn't actually started yet...now focused on a recent video which showed GAnne(?) behind a double(?) mesh while 'zookeeper Chad' talked and dandled Kaius, filmed looking completely the other way (!), in his lap. Better to have at least tried to show the two gorillas trying to having some interaction, or at least implying that they did?
Of course GAnne poking sticks through the bars doesn't mean she will show strong interest in the baby when he is-finally- introduced. I hope she does, but alternatively she may be indifferent, only time will tell. But I feel sure she won't harm him, so even if no close bond is established between them, spending maybe just some time each day with her might still be beneficial.
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Yes, the latest videos are of G-Anne behind a mesh, while Kaius is held nearby. I agree he seems largely oblivious to her in most videos.
I understand a lot of zoos have a non hand-raising policy with regards to great apes due to the lifelong affects on an animal that can live decades. Therefore I know many people were of the opinion Kaius should have been euthansied.
It’s a controversial topic I won’t get too much into (after all, what’s done is done); but Kaius faces an uncertain future. G-Anne isn’t a young animal and could easily pass before he reaches adolescence. He won’t get a recommendation to head up a troop when there’s a global surplus of mother raised males; and even whether another zoo will accept him into their bachelor troop is unknown.
The ideal would be for Mogo to welcome one or more male infants in their breeding troop, that could then join Kaius to form a bachelor troop long term. If he demonstrates he can remain in a cohesive bachelor troop without issue, that troop may well be accepted by a new or existing holder within the region.