Wilhelma Zoo Wilhelma zoo, Stuttgart

Quite a special arrival recently, male Pygmy chimpanzee (Pan paniscus) Congo (*~1979, wild) arrived from zoo La Teste de Buch. He was originally born in the wild and brought to a Circus (Zirkus Rech) where he preformed during the 80s and 90s. He was only "given" to a French zoo in 2022, sadly there were no Bonobo's there so the decission was made to send him to Wilhelma. Here they have experience in introducing new bonobo's to the group, this process has already slowly started!
Not only is this a massive improvement for his life but also for the European bonobo population since he is a wild born individual!

Source:
Instagram of Zoo Wilhelma (12/04/2023)
 
Considering the fact that Congo grew without bonobos for more than 40 years, I am not sure if he knows how to copulate with other bonobos.

Good point, but still leaves the opportunity that he either learns it from conspecifics in the group or that instinct takes over. Time will tell, nonetheless a massive improvement for his quality of life.
 
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A while back a Brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) was born, it is currently still in the pouch of its mother. This is a zoo first breeding for Wilhelma.
They will be visible in around a month in the new Australia building, Terra Australis, which will open on the 25th of July.

Source:
Instagram of Zoo Wilhelma (04/07/2023)
Amazing!! I really hope more zoos get into these guys.
 
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