Frank will have a new buddy to play with!
On Tuesday, January 22, two of the San Diego Zoo’s gorillas were moved to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. This move was recommended by the Species Survival Plan (SSP) program for gorillas and serves to place both in a situation where they will meet and form bonds with other gorillas that are expected to make good companions for the future. The following is information from animal care staff about the move.
After a short freeway ride freeway from the Zoo to the Safari Park, where Frank was peeking through a window to check out his caretakers in the cab of the truck, he and Imani arrived at their new home. Imani is 17 and is Frank’s surrogate mother; Frank is 4½. The move went smoothly as they were transported in their own crate (which they go in every day for training sessions) and unloaded into the Park’s gorilla building. They were a bit scared when being shifted into the rooms they will have in the days until the introductions to the Safari Park’s troop, but calmed down when they realized these rooms were across from the kitchen where the keepers prepare the gorilla diets.
Imani has already caught Winston’s eye.
They were hand fed some of their favorite food items by their keepers. A little later in the day, Frank and Imani were given access to a room where they could see the Park’s troop on exhibit. A lot of positive interactions were seen between the Park’s silverback, Winston, and Imani as they sat close to each other and vocalized. Frank was a little more timid, staying close to Imani but checking out his soon-to-be pal Monroe, age 1½ (who was very clingy to Mom Kokamo). Vila and Kami also checked out their new companions calmly while Kokamo strutted by, tight-lipped at this new female in her presence. The visual introductions concluded at the end of the day as all the gorillas settled into their sleeping quarters for some much-needed rest after a long, eventful day.
Much thought and discussion went into the move. The decision was made to move Imani and Frank to the Park so Monroe and Frank could buddy up as youngsters and live together when they get older in a bachelor troop, if the need arises. Gorillas typically live in single male/multiple female troops, and with a 50:50 birth ratio, there are always more males than females who need a social group in which to live. Therefore, some all-male troops must be established. This type of troop also occurs in the wild, where it is generally a transient type of social dynamic.
Allowing Frank and Monroe to bond now also provides a tremendous amount of enrichment as well as growth and development opportunities for the little guys. Gorilla troops normally have several females and their offspring, so the energetic youngsters always have playmates at hand. There is no doubt that Frank and Monroe will become best buds and will have tons of fun together.
Frank is also getting to meet more members of his family, as Kami is his paternal grandmother, and Vila is his maternal great-grandmother! Imani was included in the move because of her bond with Frank as his surrogate mom, and there is also an SSP breeding recommendation for Imani and Winston.
On Wednesday morning, Frank and Imani got to explore the exhibit for several hours. They cruised all over every inch and seemed to be having a good time, especially when they found that the trees drop figs! They also had access to the gorilla house and spent time engaged in a favorite gorilla pastime: watching the keepers work! After a couple of hours, they came into the house for lunch and the rest of the day. The troop then went out on exhibit. A great day!
April Bove is a senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo. Peggy Sexton is a lead keeper at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
Awww! Wishing Imani and Frank the best in their new home. Sounds like they’ll all be the best of friends in no time
Are there any gorillas at the zoo now?
Moderator’s note: Yes indeed!
Wow, am shocked but happy to learn Imani has moved to the animal park. I have been a fan of Imani for the last10 years and have had many wonderful interactions with her at the San Diego Zoo. she is a beautiful gorilla, by far my favorite. I have relocated to England, and now look forward to my visits back , so I can come visit and see Imani in her new home. I much prefer the animal park to the Zoo, and know she will bee happy there.
I have met Peggy several times, and that alone is comforting to know she will be now caring for Imani.please keep us updated on her progress.
What happened to Frankie’s Mom that he needed a surrogate? I’m sure he’s going to have a great time playing with Monroe..
Moderator’s note: We think so, too! You might enjoy reading about Frank’s unique upbringing in the post Frank the Gorilla: First Year.
I am so glad to hear there is a Species Survival Program looking out for the best interests of these beautiful animals. I cringe whenever I think of how many species are near extinction and see the value in an over-seeing organization to protect them. Can you tell us more about it, e.g., is it a formal nation/world wide organization and do all zoos participate, is it only for primates or all animals, only for zoos or ???, what they do beyond the obvious, who’s on the “committee”, etc?
Moderator’s note: There are SSPs for a variety of endangered animals, not just primates. SSPs are managed through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, to which all accredited facilities belong. You can read more about SSPs here: http://www.aza.org/species-survival-plan-program/
I’ll miss Frankie at the zoo but I am happy he will have a playmate with little Monroe! When do you think they will be put out all together? I’m planning a trip, be it short from SD to Safari Park, we would like to see the whole troop. Do you have a target date or month to have them join up?
Moderator’s note: Your question has been forwarded to our Gorilla Team.
It will probably be quite a while until the whole troop is together.
I was always under the impression that a new Silverback would not tolerate an offspring that wasn’t his? Does this apply only to new babies and not a youngster then? Frank won’t be viewed as a threat ?
Moderator’s note: Your question has been forwarded to our Gorilla Team.
That really depends on the male and the situation. That intolerant behavior stems from getting rid of another male’s infant in order to have the female start cycling again, and we will introduce Imani and Frank once she starts her estrus cycle. Also, Winston has been introduced to several 4 year olds in the past with no problems. We also offer “creeps” (safe areas for smaller animals) and other options (e.g. several open doors so there is no dead end) to mitigate social behavioral issues.
Aww, I will miss visiting Frank at the zoo, but wish him (and Imani) well with their new troop. I hope that the introductions go smoothly when the time comes. Until then, will they be rotating their time on exhibit, like the gorillas at the zoo do (Paul Donn/Memba/Maka)? I would love to see Frank exploring the new yard! Also, how have Paul Donn, Azizi & Ndjia reacted to their departure? Thank you for all that you do…
Moderator’s note: Your question has been forwarded to our Gorilla Team.
I miss Frank and Imani, too..lots. But they are not far away, so I hope you visit them at the Safari Park! For now, they will have some time each morning to explore their new exhibit. It is crucial that they get the “lay of the land” before the physical introductions start. The rest of Paul’s troop seem to be acclimating well. There has been the occasional cry from the females but otherwise normal behavior. It should be interesting to watch how the group dynamics change, as they always do when new gorillas enter or exit an established troop.
Thank you, April! I will definitely visit Frank and Imani soon!
Is Maka still alone at the zoo? If so, will he ever be put into a bachelor troop?
Although 17-year-old silverback Maka spends time alone on exhibit, he is in close contact with the rest of the bachelor troop in the bedrooms. The bachelor troop is comprised of 44-year-old Memba, 10-year-old Mandazzi, and 6-year-old Ekuba. There are bars that separate Maka from them. Both Maka and the bachelor troop have the option to interact with each other near these bars or retreat into a bedroom out of view. Ekuba likes to spend time near his older brother, Maka, and they will playfully swat at each other, and Ekuba loves to try to steal Maka’s food. Maka is very tolerant of him but not so much with the blackback Mandazzi and silverback Memba. There is a lot of charging and posturing near the bars.
Wishing Imani and Frank the best of luck. Wish you had a cam in the yard and one in their rooms. I love watching gorillas.
Does Memba no longer have his own troop? I thought that his troop alternated with Paul Donn’s on exhibit.
Moderator’s note: He is in a bachelor group with his sons, Ekuba and Mandazzi.
Just wondering the reason Memba no longer has his own troop? No more breeding for him? How many offspring has he fathered?
The San Diego Zoo is just one the 52 institutions accredited by the AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) that house gorillas. Each of these institutions participate in the Gorilla Species Survival Plan, which collectively examines this entire captive population and makes breeding recommendations to ensure a diverse and healthy group. Because Memba has fathered 10 offspring, there is not a breeding recommendation for him.
Are there any plans to have gorilla cams in the future? I’d love to be able to watch them also. Thanks
Moderator’s Note: There are currently no plans for a Gorilla Cam.
sorry I had missed the former comment. Can we donate for a camera?