ZSL London Zoo ZSL London Zoo News 2024

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Bird Safari opposite the gorillas closed today to give ‘new arrivals time to settle in’. From what I could see, there was one bird I didn’t recognise, lighter in pink that your regular scarlet ibis, with some brown feathering, and with a pink beak the length of an ibis’s. That might be it but my knowledge of birds is severely lacking so take these words with a big pinch of salt.


One of the white-naped Mangabey has some sort of chickenpox looking spots/rash down its lower arms, and white hair where it should be brown; I don’t suppose anyone knows what could cause this?


Effie (if the other pregnant female is indeed Effie) was fussing over the baby alongside Mjukuu at one point, so maybe she is developing some maternal sentiment.


Entrance to the Casson shut. Luckily, the babirusa were out so I saw them anyway. They didn’t seem particularly friendly with each other - Beth moved away sharpish when the male came to see the ball she was inspecting - but it’s early days yet.
 
equidae said:
New Bird Safari opposite the gorillas closed today to give ‘new arrivals time to settle in’. From what I could see, there was one bird I didn’t recognise, lighter in pink that your regular scarlet ibis, with some brown feathering, and with a pink beak the length of an ibis’s. That might be it but my knowledge of birds is severely lacking so take these words with a big pinch of salt.
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My guess is an immature ibis
 
Yesterday scaffolding was erected in parts of gorilla territory (the walkway at the entrance). The window viewing of the gorilla outside area and the Diana monkey indoor exhibits were still accessible although the covered walkway was a bit narrower due to scaffolding. Viewing of the indoor gorilla area was normal and all gorillas on show and had normal access to outside areas,

Elsewhere on the exit to Gorilla Territory the mangabey outside enclosure was undergoing work (mangabey visible in their inside areas). The existing wood used in that outdoor enclosure looks like it will be replaced/overhauled.
 
Had another amazing trip to the zoo today

Effie gave birth early this morning so it was nice to get some great photos of the tiny infant, I didn't plan to go into Gorilla Kingdom so thank you to the patron that told me about the new arrival.

The Babirusa were mating quite a lot this morning so fingers crossed for Babirusa babies soon.

The sign for the Kune Kune Pig has been taken down and I didn't see her in the indoor or outdoor exhibit so she may have sadly passed away.

There is a new banner of the Chinese Water Deer up next to their enclosure and the roundhouse has been covered in banners highlighting several animal record breakers.

Still haven't seen the Small Indian Mongoose yet.
 
Embu said:
Has Effie had many babies before?
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3. Two in Berlin & one in London.

I hope things go smoothly and Effie is a protective/dilligent mother this time around. She doesn't have a great history motherhood-wise- two handraised, one (Gernot) partially raised by herself but more by Mjukuu I think.. I'm concerned in case Mjukuu is able to take over the baby again and so carry 'twins'- feeding and managing two is very draining on a female and the babies have to compete with each other too. Having the two babies produced so close together emphasises this risk but of course I hope my fear is unfounded.
 
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Great to hear about the second gorilla birth, fingers crossed this is the start of more good to come from the troop!
 
Max Blundell said:
Effie gave birth early this morning so it was nice to get some great photos of the tiny infant, I didn't plan to go into Gorilla Kingdom so thank you to the patron that told me about the new arrival.
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Great news!

Observing the raising of these two infants will be great experience for nine year old Alika:

0.0.1 Unnamed (17/01/2024) Kiburi x Mjukuu
0.0.1 Unnamed (09/02/2024) Kiburi x Effie

I’ll note that while the sex of the first infant hasn’t yet been announced, I don’t doubt @Pertinax is correct in guessing a female.

Fingers crossed for two healthy females!
 
Baby’s are always good for the zoo, but as others have said before on this forum baby gorillas really have a tendency to make the group more active, and thus make the exhibit more interesting to visitors. Fingers crossed this works out for London!
 
Zoofan15 said:
Observing the raising of these two infants will be great experience for nine year old Alika:
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I'd wager if Alika had had a baby even before these two that she would rear it well.;) Her mum Mjukuu is a very good mother and I think it may be at least partially inherited.

Just hope there is no swapping/transfer of Effie's baby. Lets hope that's female too.
 
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Visited gorilla today :) mum baby and two youngest Alika and Gernot and surprisingly Kiriburi was all indoors no sign of Effie and baby ! Very popular so hard to get great photos but included what I could!
 

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Panthera1981 said:
Second birth now confirmed via a Fellows mail, although it would appear Effie’s birth wasn’t as straightforward as Mjuku’s.
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Further details on gorilla birth:

London Zoo ‘over the moon’ to welcome second critically endangered baby gorilla

Unlike Mjukuu, Effie’s birth was complicated as the baby was born wrapped in its umbilical cord, but it is now completely detached.

London Zoo’s primates section manager Kathryn Sanders said: “Effie and her baby kept us on our toes for the first 72 hours as we wanted to make sure that the attached umbilical cord didn’t pose any risk to the newborn.
 
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