Bonobos » Twycross Zoo

16-11-2008

I agree that with young Apes contraception can spoil their reproductive ability longterm.

Ideally the Twyross group(s) could be reduced in size by removing some of the closely related animals and distributing them elsewhere, to give one single functioning group again.

the outdoor enclosure is fairly spacious and not too small for e.g. 7-8 animals, though it is very bare and will be improved massively by additional climbing equipment.

16-11-2008

contraception would be for diatou (31yrs) the main related bonobo

As of the tragic loss of the bonobo keeper, the section has been in a mess with different staff covering it, so maybe this is the reason they never seen changes in Maringa for pregnancy signs?

17-11-2008

I agree with Custard. It is easy to criticise the ape situation but I think not enough is mentioned on here about the fact that EEP/studbook has the final say so and some things are out of Twycross's control. Everyone must agree it is not a great situation but if mixing the two groups causes tension, aggression, injury or possible fatality to individuals then it should say like that for now.

This is the same for the gorilla situation. A group with no Silverback is unnatural and defiantly required. I am sure they are in contact with the studbook for a new male.

17-11-2008

The situations regarding the Gorillas and Bonobos at Twycross are rather different. The original Bonobos were received from other EEP zoos and probably under direct control of the EEP so yes, they probably have a major say in their future organisation. I hope that with some exchanges they can be amalgamated into a single group again.

None of the current gorillas were obtained through EEP programmes, though a new male will probably have to come with EEP approval. I hope, as it seems the obvious outcome, that a single social group with at least some breeding potential, will now be assembled.

25-11-2008

Great to hear that Twycross have welcomed another baby bonobo Congratulations to Maringa, just such a shame that she was not able to support the new boy by herself.

If anyone gets any information as to the whereabouts of the youngster, please let me know - I will have to head down there soon and say hello to my favourite apes and hopefully the new guy, although it seems likely that he may not be on show at all if he is being hand reared & potentially moved to another collection??

Also great to hear that some of the ape enclosures will be getting a makeover, I am sure that will be appreciated greatly by the inhabitants

Pertinax - "Unfortunately the end result will probably also look even uglier- (like the Orangutan enclosure) since firehoses, nets and poles are functional rather than naturalistic. Its a pity they can't instead put in natural vegetation e.g. bamboo, natural logs and dead trees and green plastic 'swaypoles' or 'vines'to blend in better, as Chester and many other zoos nowadays do. A total or partial roof over the enclosure would help too."

I understand your view here Pertinax, at the same time I think you have to consider what is good for the animals - they don't give a damn if an enclosure looks natural and personally I really dislike the current trend of building natural looking enclosures that are designed around the public rather than the animals - I have seen the bonobos and indeed other apes making great use of the "rubbish" in their enclosure, sliding on boxes & crates, playing with tennis balls, building a fort out of cardboard boxes!, wearing clothes, filling bottles, swinging on hoses etc etc.. and I can't help but think that such activities provide much more stimulation for the animals than some of the things that would be included in a "natural" enclosure. I can't help thinking that many of the natural items you suggested could be expensive and easily destroyed by the group.

@ Bele - does this mean that Kakewet and Keke are now together with Jasongo being the only male in the group? I would be interested to know why as I hoped the group dynamic was working well

26-11-2008

I understand where you are coming from too, and you are right that the animals themselves don't care if their enrichment is natural looking or not. I think there's a middle ground though and as much enrichment as possible should come from natural-looking substances. My real dislike is clothing and material which some of the Twycross apes are given and which they use to cover themselves- I really do feel this removes their dignity, though again, the animals themselves obviously enjoy it, but they would probably use more natural materials just as willingly too.

29-11-2008

BBC NEWS | England | Leicestershire | Expert honoured for bonobo work

On the video at the bottom of that link, the climbing frame in the bonbo enclosure looks new to me (then again, my mind might be playing tricks on me and it might've been there on my visit earlier this year...)

29-11-2008

When I went earlier this year I noticed additional climbing frames not only in the Orangutan enclosure but also the newer Gorilla House outside, and perhaps there was one in the Bonobo area. They still looked pretty bare though I gather more improvements are being made to the Bonobo area.

I'm not sure what the article bases the claim that 'Twycross has the most important Bonobo group outside Africa' on though. Several groups in USA and Europe are as big or larger, and I don't see any other way Twycross group is 'more important' as genetically all their founders were from other groups...

29-11-2008

The Twycross group is soonest comparable to the groups at Leipzig, Berlin, Memphis, Jacksonville, San Diego WAP or Wuppertal. Their genetic importance is low.

The most important breeding groups in Europe are Frankfurt and Stuttgart, San Diego Zoo, Columbus and Milwaukee in North America.
The groups at Cologne, Apeldoorn, Milwaukee and Columbus have got the highest genetic significance...

29-11-2008

Just the usual bit of 'Journalistic licence' then to make them sound particularly important.... Claims like that shouldn't be allowed really if not true.

14-01-2009

Maringa's offsping, born October 8th, 2008, got the name "Bili"... He is making good progress...