Gorillas in the Zurich Zoo: How the new silver back has arrived

A gorilla female crouches in the short tunnel between the inner and background complex of the ape house. Consequently, Otherwise, no animal can be seen. Nevertheless, The visitor room is almost empty, nothing works.

At some point the female decides to stroll into the interior that can be seen for the audience. However, Immediately follows the silver back and the three other females in tow. Similarly, These settle somewhere. Nevertheless, Apparently without participation, they pose the few visitors present, who are becoming increasingly numerous in no time. Similarly, Above all, however, the females observe what the silver back does.

Suddenly he gorillas zurich zoo: how new runs through the enclosure and gestured. However, The excitement only takes a short time. Meanwhile, “So now he has shown who the boss is here,” comments Miriam Göbel. In addition, She is the curator for the great apes in Zoo Zurich. Moreover, has agreed to give the writing information about concerned reports that the editorial team has reached from the readership.

Bit attacks on females through silver back – Gorillas zurich zoo: how new

There was talk of injured females, hostile factions and an overwhelmed silver back. For example, In fact, a piece of information on injured gorilla female sticks on the glass pane of the system. And barrier grids prevent the zoog guests from getting too close to the glass panes.

Do you have to worry? Miriam Göbel gives the all -clear. There were bite attacks of the silver back on three of the four females. He caught the youngest on the left leg, others on the arms and other parts of the body.

But everything is in this situation gorillas zurich zoo: how new in the context of normal behavior, says Göbel. The silver back has obtained respect for the females. The biologist says the gorillas have extraordinarily good wound healing. It must also be taken into account that injuries. as long as they are not serious, the monkeys do not work as well as people.

The background to these processes is a large change for all lowland gorillas in the Zurich Zoo.

After the long -standing. healthy silver bridge N’Gola (47) in April had been put to sleepcame to Zurich in May Bwana (18), the new silver back, to Zurich.

The females Mary (17) and Mahiri (12) left the Zurichberg, only Haiba (18). First came Mayum (13) and a month later Virunguita (10) and Ivindo (7).

Inexperienced silver back

So that’s a whole new structure. The silver back already has a certain age at the age of 18 – male gorillas from around 6 years are sexually mature. grow fully later. But he never had to manage a gorillas zurich zoo: how new harem. And the four females didn’t know each other.

In addition. there is the “not insignificant” fact, as Miriam Göbel says that three of the four females in front of the sponge set had been the favorite animal of silver back in the previous harem.

So it was expected that the females see each other in a competitive situation. “The merging of a new gorilla group is a very complex process,” says Miriam Göbel.

A month rest for the gorillas

In order to make the familiarization time as little stress as possible. the zoo closed the ape house for the audience for around a month. Göbel understands the current grilles in front of the glass panes as a precaution. Male gorillas in particular reacted strongly to eye contact, which they understood as a challenge. They mainly communicate with each other without looking into the eyes.

Those responsible did not know how the newcomers react to the (young) zoo -seekers who glue on the glass panes and seek contact.

“Bwana does his thing very well”

The grids will soon disappear, because Göbel’s first conclusion is positive. “Bwana silver back does its job very well,” she sums up.

The females accept him as a boss and he takes care of them. Also, Bwana was not disturbed by the provocations of the neighboring orangutans. After his arrival. they would have “made the clown” and continuously knocked on the glass window, which gives them an insight into the Gorilla area.

And there was no competition among the females. They behaved normally until even lovingly. An injured person was hugged once by another, says Göbel. “They pay attention to each other, nobody is excluded.”

Hope for new Gorilla offspring

With the sleeping of the 35-time father N’gola . the Bwanas and new female with the European Conservation Breeding Program (EEP) for the western lowland gorillas, which are threatened with extinction, is to be built up. The goal is soon young talent for receiving the reserve population in the European zoos.

And here, too, it looks good according to curator Göbel. Bwana has already paired with two females and turned out to be a gentleman lover. “Although the silver back as a harem leader can demand sex from the female animals. Bwana waited until the females were ready and offered himself.”

They are still controlled. In consultation with the breeding book leader of the EEP. the pill will probably be removed from one of the females until the end of the year. None has received offspring so far.

The pregnancy lasts as long as people. If everything goes well, the Zurich Zoo can announce a gorillaburt next year.

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