Comments on: New Troop Members

by: max

Sat, 31 May 2008 13:13:15 +0000

jaun ekuba and bouenjie are so cute. by the way i know of a bachlor troop for mandaazi maka and ajari to go to

by: Keeper Juan

Sun, 09 Jul 2006 14:47:43 +0000

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.

by: Andrea

Wed, 21 Jun 2006 00:51:42 +0000

Great News. Used to see gorillas at Phoenix Zoo.Fascinating creatures. Nice Blog!!!

by: tom

Tue, 20 Jun 2006 22:22:21 +0000

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!

by: Judy J

Tue, 20 Jun 2006 15:21:55 +0000

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

by: Randy and Tracy Ocker

Mon, 19 Jun 2006 15:51:27 +0000

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.

by: Bonnie Pearson

Sat, 17 Jun 2006 18:14:45 +0000

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!

by: Kathie Staiano

Sat, 17 Jun 2006 00:08:55 +0000

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!

by: Mike

Fri, 16 Jun 2006 22:43:11 +0000

Continued success!

by: Deborah

Fri, 16 Jun 2006 13:59:08 +0000

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.