Dublin zoo » Dublin Zoo

03-07-2008

1. Harry has been at Dublin since 1995- thirteen years ago so its more a case of other younger silverbacks from Frankfurt(e.g. Richard, Akili, Damisi) which have more recently moved into breeding groups, creating the over representation situation.

2. Mayani may still be too young to breed. Harry was hostile to her when she was first introduced to the group - she was very young indeed and perhaps he viewed her as an unrelated offspring to be ousted from his group, rather than a future mate. I don't know if Dublin's gorillas currently live as a single group but presumably Mayani has access either to silverback Harry or his eldest son Kesho, now 9 years old(or both of them). So if Harry still doesn't like her I'm sure Kesho does, and I'd expect to hear of a pregnancy soon(or it could even be her due in August?)

3. New exhibit planned- see Bongo's post or newspaper article.

Bongo- you've just visited Dublin, how were the Gorillas kept- as a single group?

04-07-2008

All 6 Gorillas were living together

04-07-2008

Any hope of adding another female of breeding age to the group to balance out the sex ratio and provide a stable setting for its future development?

How old are all the male offspring? If of a certain age is it not time to send 1 or more of the male offspring to a bachelor group setting?

When is the socalled Gorilla Forest coming up on the present rhino paddocks. Is the exhibit so scheduled that a definite planning date for its opening is already on the cards?

04-07-2008

1. I expect they'd like to but accessing new females can still be difficult.
I believe they were 'owed' a female as 'Grace'(Lena x Arti) who was born in Dublin in 1992 was raised at Stuttgart and later sent to Wuppertal, while Dublin got nothing in return.

2. After 'Grace'( different sire; Arti) who was handraised + some failed births, 'Lena' has produced and raised her three male offspring(all with Harry) at regular intervals -Kesho in 1999, Alf in 2003, Evindi in 2006/7. Kesho is certainly old enough to leave now but maybe they prefer to keep him until there is aggression from 'Harry' - also the longer these young males can stay with their parents, the better socialised they will be as adults.

(Its just occurred to me that 'Kesho' could be a very suitable male for the two unmated females at Twycross...he's young, unrelated and perfectly socialised and he even has a younger brother the same age as Matadi in the Twycross 'group'- what more could they want? )

3. Can't answer that.

04-07-2008

Bongo- any idea which female is 'due' in August?

04-07-2008

Great thinking!

05-07-2008

I usually think an immature male placed with adult females isn't a very good match dominance wise, but in this case, as Twycross have indicated they want a younger male because of Matadi's presence, 'Kesho' would be ideal- his own younger brother(Alf) and Twycross 'Matadi' are exactly (to within one month) the same age...

05-07-2008

Yeah but even thou it would be a great match, I cant see twycross sorting this problem out, even thou this would be the best situation as a young domminet male would be (hopefully) more tolerant to the young male.

Lets cross our fingers and hope tywcross move soon to kickstart there gorilla breeding.

05-07-2008

I think if Dublin wanted to move Kesho, that Twycross might consider him. I don't think even they(Twycross) want that male-less group for ever but it has to be made 'easy' for them I reckon.

05-07-2008

I agree with taun, that's an excellent idea!

Alan

__________________
When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.

05-07-2008

I was agreeing with Pertinax who first brought this idea up

05-07-2008

I know, I am agreeing with you in agreeing with Pertinax

Alan

__________________
When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.

05-07-2008

Sorry not many people tend to arge with me so I was a little shocked

05-07-2008

Lets all go over to Dublin, grab a few pints, talk to the zoo's management and then come over with a young male gorilla and present the Twycross Zoo people with a fait accompli!

I wish things with gorillas at Twycross would not move that SLLLLLOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWW!

05-07-2008

I'll try and smuggle him back over when am next on business in Dublin