Mogo Wildlife Park Gorillas at Mogo Zoo

This link contains a short video of the gorillas, which includes a brief look at sections of the exhibit:

VIDEO: Gorillas settle in at Mogo Zoo | Newcastle Herald

Which ZooChatter will be the first to visit Mogo Zoo and produce a review and lots of photos on this forum?

 

I'll be looking forward to seeing pictures and getting a better look at the exhibit. From what I can see on the video, it doesn't look huge- but then neither was the enclosure at Taronga.
From the look of the photos, Mahale and Kipenzi look a little nervous, sticking to their mothers. I hope they all settle in quickly.

 

From the video, they look pretty relaxed for new arrivals, and that includes the older juvenile too.

The enclosure looks a lot larger to me than they had at Taronga too!

 

taronga was long and narrow. the enclosure at mogo is a bit bigger. three high walls and a glass front.

 

Did it have much work done on it to change it from a chimpanzee enclosure?

 

Last time I was at mogo, june last year, it had cheetahs in it.

 

And for a smaller group of 3 adults and 2 young,, so potentially a bit more space for them?

 

yes. plenty of room for them compared to taronga if the group stays at 5.

 

Article on the gorillas 12 months after arrival: Gorillas settled in to new home at Mogo Zoo | Bay Post

 

Male, Mahale has moved out in preparation for his journey to New Zealand. Quote from Mogo's Facebook:

Western Lowland Gorilla, Mahale fondly know as the Prankster
moved out from his family home at Mogo Zoo and is on his way to bachelor quarters with his brothers at Orana Wildlife Sanctuary in New Zealand. All the staff at Mogo Zoo will miss the 'Prankster and his antics'

 

Mogo Zoo has announced the sad death of female gorilla Mouila on Facebook :

It is with much sadness that we announce the passing of Mouila, a senior member of the gorilla troop. Mouila was in her twilight years and had a range of age related health issues. She was being closely monitored by our senior veterinarian and our health management team. Mouila, Kibabu, Kipenzi, Kriba and Mahale arrived at Mogo Zoo two years ago from Taronga Zoo. They originated from Apenhuel and arrived in 1996 as part of the international breeding program. The rest of the group are adjusting well, and we are giving them some time, and space to adjust to the passing of Mouila. She was a great mother and grandmother and Mouila touched the hearts of many around the world. She will be missed.

 

I was at the zoo today and only a Silverback and female with a 3-4yo were out on exhibit. They came out from night quarters collected some food from an earlier scatter feed and re

 

That would be silverback Kibabu, adult female Kriba (Mouila's oldest daughter) and Kibabu and Kriba's daughter Kipenzi.

 

Presumably Kipenzi in a few years (say four) time will move back to Taronga, perhaps being replaced at Mogo by Frala?

 

I don't think so personally. Frala is well integrated into Kibali's troop, is producing offspring with him, and seems quite content in her new position that I think taking her away from the Taronga group wouldn't be fair on both her and the other group members. I have a feeling Kipenzi will be shipped out to Europe somewhere when she is old enough.

 

Kibabu is 38 years old. Given the lifespan of silverbacks is typically shorter than that of females, I'd say it's unlikely he'd live more than another four years, maybe six maximum. By this time, Kipenzi will be 8-10 years old and of breeding age. In my opinion, Mogo will probably retain Kriba and Kipenzi, and look to import a new male to breed with Kipenzi, and most likely a new female of similar age to Kipenzi.

Frala wouldn't be transitioned until Fubumi was old enough to be separated from her, and I see no benefit to shifting her out of Kibali's troop at Taronga so I would imagine she'd stay put. She could potentially raise at least one more offspring in her time there.

 

Alternatively, I suppose following Kibabu's death, Mogo Zoo may send Kipenzi (and Kriba if still alive to Melbourne Zoo). They have recently exported two females, and one has died, so they will have plenty of space. Yuska is getting on in her years and unlikely to live much longer.

This would leave Mogo Zoo with no gorillas in around 6 years time, and open to the possibility of holding a Bachelor troop. Mjuku (2014) and Fubumi (2015) at Taronga will be 7 and 6 years old, and one of them at least may have a younger brother by then, that could follow them to Mogo in time....

 

Example of a pretty open-ended situation where things will no doubt depend on what happens first to the oldest animals.

Interesting that Yuska is the only Gorilla alive that was imported directly from the wild to Australia.

 

Female G-Anne from Melbourne Zoo has arrived and been successful introduced to the group:

Mogo now has 1.3 again (male Kibabu, females Kriba, Kipenzi and G-Anne).