Rigo the gorilla..... » Melbourne Zoo

12-05-2008

Well, that's interesting. Notwithstanding Melbourne's original pioneering success with MZuri/Ya Kwanza, AI still seems very problematic but perhaps they can succeed again. Otherwise the best hopes of perpetuating Rigo's genes will be through (son)Ya Kwanza at Jersey and, possibly the best bet, (grandson) Mapema, now at Duisburg Zoo in Germany.

12-05-2008

I think you might want to go and check your sources on this - seriously!

12-05-2008

If Rigo has been trained to give a sperm sample and they intend to use A.I on thr females, why would they need to move the other male out and Rigo in?
I guess there was a risk of the other male getting at the females, but i don't see the point of changing the group dynamics if A.I is to be used.

13-05-2008

Motaba, the other male is in another off-view exhibit to the public. All the time the keeper in the hut says, trying to make genetic diversity. But Rigo has bad social problems, but i can see where you are coming from.

13-05-2008

The information I got regarding Rigo not mating was from a keeper as well as people doing animal watches.
The information regarding who will be used for breeding I got from a keeper.
The information regarding the sperm samples (not sure, but I'm sure it was a keeper, too.)
Yuska will definitely not be used for breeding but G Anne and Julia will.

I haven't heard anything on the contrary either officially or unofficially.

If you have other information then I'd to hear it.

13-05-2008

Besides, if he's not mating with the girls and they clearly want him to breed with the females and talking about who will continue with contraception then how else is it going to happen?

13-05-2008

Hi zookiah, a couple of further comments:

Quite likely, this is the case, although I haven't checked.

This is completely correct.

My understanding is that Rigo is not in any way conditioned to provide semen samples, and there are no plans for artificial insemination.

My concern with your posting was the section "The females will probably be artificially inseminated. Rigo is trained to provide sperm samples.". Neither of these statements is correct to the best of my knowledge.

The plan is that Rigo will breed naturally with the two females you've mentioned.

I hope that helps to clear up any misconceptions

13-05-2008

You might as well check this while you're at it.

13-05-2008

I have already.

13-05-2008

ZooPro

As I said, this is what I heard from a keeper (just recently).

I also made the assumption that since they want to breed from Rigo and he's not mating that AI is the obvious path to take (and it's been done before - over 20 years ago - and things have changed a lot since then).

I'll be careful how I word things in future.

And I had heard (and mentioned on previous posts) that Rigo was able to provide sperm samples.

A lot of information is posted on this forum from people of varying backgrounds and there's much speculation about what is/isn't going on as well as what should and shouldn't happen. I have provided and well as received information in the past and when I've been corrected or challenged it's usually been done with tact and grace (which is welcomed).

13-05-2008

I'm not sure if you meant this last comment as a compliment or a complaint! Hopefully , the former. I agree with your comment completely though, and also agree that if forum members have more accurate or up to date information about a post, it's great to get it out there.

That way, we all find out (hopefully), what's going on.

13-05-2008

Either way naturally, artificially i just hope we can another gorilla baby soon.

18-12-2008

Hi guys, I asked a keeper the other day if Rigo was trained to give sperm samples. They had a giggle and said that he has not been trained in this. I hope this helps!!!

18-12-2008

Funny about that This is a good example of how rumours can so easily "become" facts. It's always wise to check on information before posting it as factual, or at least mention that it's second-hand information and not verified.

I'm glad to hear you followed up on it though.

02-01-2009

So exactly what is the current situation with the group and what is planned?

I'm presuming Rigo has shown no interest in mating and is now a nonstarter in that department? Will they knock Rigo down to obtain semen and then try to A.1. G.Anne, Julia and/or Jumatano? Or alternatively, with Rigo's genes now represented through his grandson Mapema in Duisburg, reinstate Motaba as group leader/breeder again?