Vila gives Monroe a lift.
Much thought and discussion went into this recent gorilla move. The decision was made to move Imani and Frank to the Park to get Monroe and Frank together and buddied up as youngsters so they can live together when they get older in a bachelor troop, if the need arises. Gorillas typically live in single male/multiple female troops; with a 50:50 birth ratio, there are always more males than females that 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. Troops normally would 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 the Park’s 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, through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan for gorillas, a breeding recommendation for Imani and Winston.
Peggy Sexton is a lead keeper at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
I’ve been wondering how Frank has been doing over the last several months, and I have my answer! Thanks! I know that Frank and Monroe will be BFFs forever! Keep us updated about Imani and how she’s doing with Wilson. Would love to see her have a baby gorilla soon! BTW, how old is Frank now? About 1 1/2 or 2 years old? He’s still a cutie!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
Moderator’s note: Frank is 4 1/2 years old.
It’s so nice the boys will be playmates! And maybe a baby for Imani? This is exciting!
Thanks for the update! I’m looking forward to seeing the troop later this month. Will both of the boys be out on exhibit in separate areas? Or do they take turns? Can’t wait to see them together! They will have so much fun as playmates.
Fingers crossed for Imani and Winston! I hope that goes well and we’ll get to see another little one.
Moderator’s note: At present, they take turns on exhibit, as there is just one viewing exhibit for gorillas.
Thanks Moderator!
Frank is closer to Ekuba’s age than he is Monroe’s why didn’t they move him in with the bachelor troop at he Zoo.
Peggy responds: We wanted to get Monroe and Frank together because Monroe has no other males to bond with, and the boys do love to play!!! Also, Frank is too young to leave his surrogate mom, and she has a breeding recommendation with Winston.
that is my little bro name
Thank you for the update on Frank and Imani! I look forward to seeing Frank and Monroe playing together when the introductions are complete.
Are there any plans for Unkie and Ellie to become parents again?
Primate Team responds: There are no plans for a siamang baby
Unkie and Ellie have had 5 offspring, and their surviving offspring are all having babies. This and their age are factors in why we are no longer breeding them.
I have noticed of late that there are several ducks in the apes exhibit. Do the apes ever go after them or do they just ignore the ducks for the most part?
Tanya responds: The orangutans ignore the ducks. In years past, we have even had rabbits living in the orangutan exhibit. The siamangs will occasionally go after the ducks, but it has been awhile since that has happened.
I can’t believe that Frank is 4 1/2 yrs. old already! wow, time sure flies. that little guy sure did well with your experiment when he was a tiny one. easing him back into the troop in such a short span of time! AND, the 3-females who wanted to all help raise him! AND, even BIG DADDY was patient with him! it was such a special, successful story. and, Frank never seemed the worse for wear from the separation and then the integration. I kind of think he was quite the spoiled one with all the attention he was getting! lol…..keep us updated please!………..
there are no webcams at Safari Park? I would love to watch the gorillas
the monkey are fun
Why isn’t there a cam for the gorillas? I would spend hours watching them, we dont live near a zoo, so it would be awesome to watch them whenever I wanted.
Same here Patti. I asked once and they just said there are no plans for it at this time, but didn’t give a reason why.
I agree about the webcam for gorillas. I would love that. I bet it would be very popular.
Any updates on how Monroe and Frank are getting on???
We’ve had Kokamo and Monroe on exhibit with Imani and Monroe for the past week. The boys are starting to play, but Monroe is staying pretty close to Mom (quite the little barnacle), but things are progressing nicely.
Some days they are out just in the mornings and then Winston, Vila, and Kami go out in the afternoons. We’ve also left them out all day, it just depends on how they are all doing…
Would a webcam for the gorillas be a possibility if enough donations were made?
That would be great. Maybe they could place it on their wish list and let people donate?
Can someone tell me where Azizi is? Is she still at the Zoo?
Yes.