Bristol's New Gorillla » Bristol Zoo

Bristol's New Gorillla
19-09-2008

Cut from a BBC news article:
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A young orphan gorilla has moved from Germany to join her new family at Bristol Zoo Garden's "Gorilla Island".

Four-year-old Kera will live with the zoo's family of western lowland gorillas including three-year-old Namoki and Komale who is nearly two.

Keepers will monitor her interaction with the rest of the group and it is hoped the family will teach her how to be a "fully socialised" gorilla.

Kera, born in 2004, was hand reared due her mother's lack of interest.
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My main question is why didnt she go to london where they really need a potential breeding female?

19-09-2008

Because at bristol they have a family group, she will learn some things about being a mum there and hopefully be better for raising her own offspring.

Plus she is only 4!

19-09-2008

I might also add that one of there females is likely to breed again in the next coule of years, therefore she is well placed to learn to be a mum when she is old enough

20-09-2008

Because London already has 2 potential breeding females (plus Zaire isn't 100% ruled out either). London's only problem may be down to the male, which hasn't been figured out yet.

20-09-2008

I thought they already knew that Bobby had a low sperm count! But didn't say it was much to worry about because it was a common problem within captive gorillas

20-09-2008

Well yeah, but I mean i don't think it's been proven whether Bobby is infertile or not.

20-09-2008

As far am aware he is not, but is not a proven breeder so only time will tell.

20-09-2008

Absolutely.. This is good news, and getting a juvenile is probably the only way (because of the small inside areas) they can assimilate another female into their group.

It will provide a perfect social background for her, plus if she gets on well with them she could be breeding with Jock herself in a few years time.

I just hope she learns about water moats quickly....

20-09-2008

Total argee.

Hopefully we'll see some movent towards tywcross soon as well.

20-09-2008

I`m not go to hold my breath on them sorting Twycross out.

20-09-2008

does zaire really have the potential to still breed?

20-09-2008

True, true. Its annoying that they have breeding females that are wasted there.

20-09-2008

No, its a whole different set-up. They don't have a settled social group with offspring like Bristol's. What they still need is a male in the 2nd group- I'm wondering just how long they'll go without having one- its now been 18 months.... But I don't think EEP can force them.

20-09-2008

She is certainly not too old (which is the reason they give.)

However it is many years(mid 1980's) since her only offspring was born, so she could have problems becoming pregnant again after so long. I don't even know if she still has oestrus periods- sometimes with a prolonged period with no breeding ovulation stops altogether.

20-09-2008

I think there have been some gorillas who have given birth at an older age than Zaire, so assuming everything is in working order on both sides, then it is technically possible.