I did actually do the whole Twycross Chimp family tree a few years ago but sadly lost it all.
Twycross Zoo Twycross Zoo News 2022
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Rajang-GOAT
Well-Known Member
That makes sense if Tumba at Colchester is castrated, thanks for confirming, but both Pippin and Tekita have passed away (Pippin on the 9th September 2019, arrived 1992, and Tekita on the 1st December 2020, age 24). I believe the current chimps at Colchester are Tara (1985?), Tombe (1996), Kora (1999), Tumba (2004), and Talia (2009), speaking of, last time I checked Talia and Tombe are full siblings (her dad is also Tombe).
At the end of the day, we are are where we are with it all and it’s surely a case of putting current animal welfare whilst considering blood lines ahead of all else; recognising past wrongs and doing what we can to rectify conservation efforts going forward?
Mongo passed away a few years ago.
The Hedgehog
Well-Known Member
With Samantha’s recent passing I think both Chimp groups should remain separate. If Twycross Zoo are intent on introducing the remaining trio into a larger group,maybe they could move to Monkey World. Monkey World has decades of experience in introducing Chimps to one an other. I don’t mean any offence to Twycross Zoo but Monkey World are far more trained in introducing Chimps. Alternatively could Jeremy or Alison travel to Monkey World to assist with the remaining introductions.
Twycross have decades of experience with this species and are perfectly capable of managing their own introductions (in the event they were undetaken).
There's protocols and guidelines which are followedd when introducing chimpanzees; but an in-depth knowledge of their behaviours and social cues is essential
Their staff would have this knowledge is abundance.
This was done a few years ago, there are a few changes since then
I'm sure the superheroes of Monkey World would fly in capes fluttering, to save the day and all of primate kind (eyes rolling, heavy sarcasm, in case you didn't pick up on it!).
In all fairness to Twycross, they have managed to introduce the chimps that are currently in the group - most of which lived in pairs for many years so it wouldn't have been easy for them to adapt. The majority of the deaths at Twycross over the past few years have been elderly chimpanzees, most of which were over 40 years old, and not due to introductions.
I'm sure whatever happened with Samantha (if she has even passed away, as we don't have definite confirmation), the keepers and vets would have done what they thought was best. It must be very difficult to lose an animal who has been at the zoo for such a long time, no matter the circumstances.
I believe when Twycross integrated their pairs and trios of Chimps into one larger group, they sought advice and assistance from specialists with previous experience in this area, possibly from Edinburgh Zoo, who had undertaken a similar operation for their Budongo exhibit. Twycross themselves having not done anything like this before. I suspect the task may have been made slightly easier as those chimps, although seperated in pairs and trios, must have all been quite familiar with each other through sight and sound over the many years of living in close association. Even so, quite a few deaths occurred during that period, some perhaps caused indirectly from the stresses of these mixings.
Looking to the future, they currently have a diminishing group of mostly middle-aged, older and non-breeding chimps living in an almost brand new facility. There are no infants or juveniles in the group and no birth for many years now. I believe the intention was, in line with EEP policy and similar to Edinburgh, to progress by breeding from pure Western(verus) chimps within the larger group and so allow new generations to be pure- to which end a new 'verus' male, Kibale. was sourced a few years ago from France. But there are no(?) pure 'verus' of suitable age among the females any more. So to boost the group they would really need to aquire some 'verus' females of breeding age which I believe has been mentioned as the zoo's intention- or it was at one time. But the bald male Jambo is not a purebred so he would have to be prevented from breeding - on two accounts- perhaps he could be vasectomised (I do not support castration of any ape).
But if nothing happens this aged group will just dwindle further over time.
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In which case it sounds as if they've given up on trying to integregrate these three males - I believe all(?) 3 of them castrated- into the main group and will just let them live out their days as a small group in one of the other older ape houses.
Considering all the old ape enclosures are scheduled for demolition over the next 5-10 years, that may not be possible… as it would hold up other species getting much needed new accommodations.
I’d like to see the smaller group, if there not going to be integrated be allowed to move to a small collection to live out there days. I would think some ware like Africa alive would welcome an opportunity to house three chimps for fifteenth twenty years or so to find there feet with apes than take on what would be half a life times worth of commitment by taking on new stock. This would free up the ape houses and half of chimp Eden so Twycross could start a new breeding troop a lot sooner which you would think would be there long term intention
No I don't support castration of Apes( or primates generally). I think it effects their behaviour, physical development etc to a considerable extent, leaving much missing in their lives. Its even more marked in Gorillas than Chimpanzees as they fail to develop any secondary male characteristics like the silver back, musculature etc and just look like overgrown females. I believe the effects in primates with their complex social lives, are more far reaching than the same procedure in other species e.g. ungulates, carnivores etc.
As to the bald Chimpanzees, I just think they look so freakish they aren't a good advert for the zoo, but as I said previously that isn't really a reason not to allow Jambo (the only one now) to live a normal group life.
As to the bald Chimpanzees, I just think they look so freakish they aren't a good advert for the zoo, but as I said previously that isn't really a reason not to allow Jambo (the only one now) to live a normal group life.
...maybe he already is, I don't know.
The Hedgehog
Well-Known Member
@Pertinax performing unnatural procedures Apes definitely has a lasting effect. An example would be Tebe the Gorilla at Howeletts. Before arriving at Howeletts Tebe was given male hormones. I believe she was used in an exprament. Tebe now looks like a Male. When I first saw a picture of Tebe I thought she was the dominant male. I wouldn’t recommend that Twycross castrate their Chimps,it’ll have a negative impact on their physical and mental well-being. If Twycross want to use contraception I recommend a birth control tablet or implant. Monkey World use these techniques and their Chimps act relatively naturally. Sorry to keep mentioning Monkey World but their the most experienced in breeding,introducing and keeping Apes. I don’t just mean in England but the whole of Europe.
I think you'll find they are already there
With all due respect, you're talking nonsense; quite apart from anything else, the collection actively refuses to participate in captive breeding programmes for the most part (their role as a creche for orangutan youngsters from other collections excepted) despite holding a significant number of pure subspecific-level chimpanzee and orangutan which would be valuable for the respective breeding populations, due to their general opposition to zoos. Moreover, they have zero experience with gorilla captive husbandry whatsoever, having never held either species.
Are they really there ???I think you'll find they are already there
With all due respect, you're talking nonsense; quite apart from anything else, the collection actively refuses to participate in captive breeding programmes for the most part (their role as a creche for orangutan youngsters from other collections excepted) despite holding a significant number of pure subspecific-level chimpanzee and orangutan which would be valuable for the respective breeding populations, due to their general opposition to zoos. Moreover, they have zero experience with gorilla captive husbandry whatsoever, having never held either species.