New Troop Members
Posted at 9:18 am June 13, 2006 by Juan Fernandez
Two new additions have arrived in our western lowland gorilla troop at the San Diego Zoo. Memba, a 37-year-old silverback gorilla, has fathered two more healthy baby boys, adding to the endangered population of gorillas.
Jessica, a 25-year-old experienced mom, gave birth to Ekuba (pictured) on March 5. Ekuba means “big eater” in the Fang language. He is now beginning to explore his environment and learning to use his motor skills as he attempts to grab food items from Jessica while she is eating.
Ndjole, a 10-year-old first-time mom, had her baby in the late afternoon of March 14. Baby Bouendje means “handsome boy/man” in the Kota language, another dialect from Central Africa.
Bouendje and Ekuba are becoming more active by the day; each has learned to hitch a ride on mom’s back as she forages for food. Although both moms stay close together most of the day, they have not been reported to show much interest in each other’s baby. The exception is big brother Mandazzi, Jessica’s last offspring and soon to be four in July. Mandazzi seems to be very curious about his little brother and has been seen touching little Ekuba while Jessica keeps a close eye in case Mandazzi gets too rough.
Both little boys have also begun teething, just beginning to show at least two lower teeth. Although they will not to begin to eat solid foods until they are about one year old, they will begin to taste different items in their surroundings to see what is food and what is not food.
It will be a fun journey watching these two baby gorillas as they cross the different stepping-stones into adolescence. Come by and visit them at Gorilla Tropics. They are scheduled to be on exhibit Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Juan Fernandez is a senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
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June 13th, 2006 at 2:14 pm
I’m sure many people are just enraptured by this news and the description of these new ones–I sure am! Thanks for all your work to restore endangered species. I can’t think of a more noble cause.
June 14th, 2006 at 7:19 am
It’s wonderful to see the mothers with their babies, especially when they are close together (maybe comparing notes?). Thanks, Juan, for keeping us up to date on these beautiful primates.
June 14th, 2006 at 8:11 am
Another great blog, Juan - thanks so much. What a beautiful baby. Any chance of seeing a picture of baby Bouendje - not that we’ll be able to tell them apart, but it’s always fun seeing pictures. Please keep us posted on their progress. Thanks.
June 14th, 2006 at 6:55 pm
The two baby boys are so beautiful! I love visiting to observe their development.
June 16th, 2006 at 5:59 am
Primate mother-baby relationships are so engrossing. When the mother does a good job - as it is clear that these two mothers are doing - their devotion is moving. And of course, the babies are extremely appealing. Thank you for the excellent photograph. I hope the babies continue to do well.
June 16th, 2006 at 2:43 pm
Continued success!
June 16th, 2006 at 4:08 pm
While the “Giant Pandas” are my favorites I found myself thoroughly engrossed in “The Giant Gorilla With Two Babies On Her Back! Thank You So Very Much!
June 17th, 2006 at 10:14 am
Juan, thanks again for the info - gorilla babies are always interesting, especially at this age. Love the pictures & details of their growth. Since I’m too far away to see the “boys” until Feb I will observe them from afar with your blog. Gorillas Rule!
June 19th, 2006 at 7:51 am
We became members in Dec 2005, with only a 5 hour drive have visited both the Park and Zoo several times. Our last visit, the two females “obviously” pregnant and to our surprise upon coming home we see the two beautiful babies that had already been born. My only regret is that we didn’t prolong our stay only a few days more. The gorillas are always our first stop on all visits. They are wonderful just to sit and watch to enjoy their antics, expressions, behavior and their obvious particular role in the troop. If I could live there I would, not only because of the gorillas but for the wonderful works that both the Park and the Zoo do for all of the animals.
June 20th, 2006 at 7:21 am
Thank you Juan! How wonderful it must be to be a part of such important and exciting and rewarding births and precious additions of such beautiful babies to the gorilla population of not only our zoo but also the world. We are so grateful to you and all the other keepers for your devotion and care to our gorilla troops. Kudos and congratulations to you all! The photo shows such affection and loving tenderness. Would that other mothers of the world were as caring and affectionate as these magnificent gentle giants. Good fortune to all of you and your precious charges! With Luv, Judy J
June 20th, 2006 at 2:22 pm
great 2 see 2 new baby gorillas born and mother-reared! I do have a concern though- it seems in the captive gorilla population there are WAY 2 MANY males born as opposed 2 females. The babys’ father Memba, for example, has sired almost 10 offspring, and i think like 2 were girls!!! I was wondering, juan, if there is concern that at this rate the captive gorilla population will have almost double, maybe even triple the number of males to females, and in a species that has a social composition of 1 male to several females, this can’t be very encouraging. Please help a concerned gorilla fanatic!
June 20th, 2006 at 4:51 pm
Great News. Used to see gorillas at Phoenix Zoo.Fascinating creatures. Nice Blog!!!
July 9th, 2006 at 6:47 am
Thanks for the question, Tom, and sorry for the delay! There are no significant recorded cases that suggest the male gorilla population is growing at a faster pace than the female population. Numbers that I have seen are of equal births. Obviously Memba is one of maybe a few isolated cases. There are plans in the works over the next 10 or so years that will require several institutions to manage bachelor groups of males. Even if the births were at equal numbers, more than one adult to adolescent male cannot be managed in a breeding group. There have been successful introductions in other institutions now housing adult bachelor silverback males.
May 31st, 2008 at 6:13 am
jaun ekuba and bouenjie are so cute. by the way i know of a bachlor troop for mandaazi maka and ajari to go to