The two new youngsters, 'Kiri' and 'Ndowe', are full brothers and 'Kiondo' is another full brother. 'Kivu' is closer than a halfbrother to all 3- he has the same father(Xebo) and his mother 'Makinda' is full sister to 'Kena'- the mother of the other three. All four young males are grandsons of the white Gorilla 'Snowflake' through his daughters, their mothers. 'Kiri' is also one of twins, his twin sister 'Kera' is now being introduced into Bristol's group.
The mother of all except 'Kivu' is 'Kena.' Both she and sister Makinda were handraised, maybe why they won't rear young. I don't know why Barcelona kept allowing her to breed. In fact she is now in the UK too since 2005, living in Blackpool's group. As their male Jitu was a nonbreeder she hasn't had any more babies since leaving Barcelona- however that's likely to change now Jitu has gone and with a new male at Blackpool soon. With her past record its likely she will never rear her offspring though.
Regarding 'Ndowe'- I hadn't realised how traumatic his move to the French group must have been or that he nearly died. Maybe the two youngsters were put with older males too soon? I agree Paignton's is the best managed(male)group and I'm sure they will be integrated very sympathetically there.
I do wonder sometimes at the young age males from Stuttgart are being forced to join older and unfamiliar Gorillas- at 4 they are still very young and lacking in any social contact with older animals. But of course its an unnatural situation and also important they do start to socialise with other gorillas. In an ideal world I would like to see them join groups where there are females present to get some mothering interaction too. Maybe then move on to bachelor groups later on(at e.g. seven years old) Still, we can't have everything.
These introductions can be very complex. Another young female 'Mayani' from the Stuttgart nursery is living in the Dublin group. She is still a social isolate though as all the others are a related family and she isn't part of it.
The mother of all except 'Kivu' is 'Kena.' Both she and sister Makinda were handraised, maybe why they won't rear young. I don't know why Barcelona kept allowing her to breed. In fact she is now in the UK too since 2005, living in Blackpool's group. As their male Jitu was a nonbreeder she hasn't had any more babies since leaving Barcelona- however that's likely to change now Jitu has gone and with a new male at Blackpool soon. With her past record its likely she will never rear her offspring though.
Regarding 'Ndowe'- I hadn't realised how traumatic his move to the French group must have been or that he nearly died. Maybe the two youngsters were put with older males too soon? I agree Paignton's is the best managed(male)group and I'm sure they will be integrated very sympathetically there.
I do wonder sometimes at the young age males from Stuttgart are being forced to join older and unfamiliar Gorillas- at 4 they are still very young and lacking in any social contact with older animals. But of course its an unnatural situation and also important they do start to socialise with other gorillas. In an ideal world I would like to see them join groups where there are females present to get some mothering interaction too. Maybe then move on to bachelor groups later on(at e.g. seven years old) Still, we can't have everything.
These introductions can be very complex. Another young female 'Mayani' from the Stuttgart nursery is living in the Dublin group. She is still a social isolate though as all the others are a related family and she isn't part of it.
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not any more thank you Pertinax I was only 42 steps behind on that one .Saw them today One was running around like mother theresa with his blanket on his head /body..By all accounts they are settling in well.Kombuku has the cold today sneezing and coughing not a happy bunny.Kivu has recovered and Kiondu is on the mend. The Sttutgart keeper is around and they all recognised her ,I can see where Kivu gets his manerisums from!
For keeping an eye on my darling and for the informations.