Kinah’s New Sister
Posted at 10:57 am October 22, 2007 by Nerissa FolandKinah has had some real excitement lately in her home here in Ituri Forest at the San Diego Zoo. At 6 p.m. on Saturday, October 20, 2007, Kinah became a big sister! Our late keeper had just brought the Allen’s swamp monkeys inside their night quarters when Kinah’s adoptive mom, Bunzi, went into labor and gave birth to her first baby (see previous blog, Kinah’s Best Friend). Due to Bunzi’s obvious pregnancy belly, we knew it wouldn’t be long before she gave birth. And despite being a first-time mom, Bunzi is doing a fantastic job caring for her baby. The infant looks healthy and alert and has been nursing up a storm: all good signs!
This is a big adjustment for our little Kinah, and she seems fascinated by her new sibling. Kinah has spent a lot of time staring at the baby, and Bunzi has even allowed her to groom the newest member of the troop. Already showing signs of being a good mom, Bunzi only lets Kinah near the baby a few minutes at a time. I’m happy that Kinah had been spending the majority of her day away from Bunzi these last few months, as this may make it a little easier when most of Bunzi’s attention is directed at the baby now. After Kinah has her “baby fix,” she jumps up and runs off to play. Jaribu and Kinah are still fast friends and do most everything together. Kinah’s very lucky to have older siblings to teach her the ropes, and now she can do the same for her little sibling.
It won’t be long now until our newest little swamp monkey can join the rest of our kids for some fun times on exhibit in Ituri Forest. Bunzi will have her hands full with two rambunctious kids to run after and the rest of the swamp troop can enjoy one more little friend to play with.
Nerissa Foland is a senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
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October 22nd, 2007 at 11:19 am
Thanks, Nerissa, for the wonder-full update. I am so excited for Bunzi that she has a ” real” baby of her own to care for. She is such an attentive ” mother” to Kinah, she will do a fabulous job with her own baby. It will be a great learning experience for Kinah too, since she had no monkey mother when she was so tiny. I am glad that Kinah has matured enough to spend most of her day away from Bunzi. That is good for both of them, especially now. Bunzi must know that Kinah is alright on her own playing with Jaribu. Is Kinah still getting her special ” bottles” and feeding sessions aside from the rest of the monkeys? Or has she gained enough weight and strength to get along with the normal Swamp Monkey rations? Since she has been bottle fed instead of nursing, is she likely to try to nurse from Bunzi when she witnesses the baby doing so?
Please publish some pictures of the three of them when you get a chance. It is a terrific testimony to the infant raising skills of SDZ staff, and a fantastic great result, not ending, to the on-going story of Kinah’s life.
How soon are Jaribu and Kinah likely to attempt to mate, or will Toad’s dominance prevent that?
October 22nd, 2007 at 12:20 pm
Nerrisa, how great is it, a new life to celebrate. I glad that Bunzi is doing well being a first time mom but after all she was great with Kinah and it’s good to see that kinah is accepting the little one. hope to see some pics.
October 22nd, 2007 at 6:32 pm
Oh, how sweet! Thanks for the update. It’s funny and endearing at the same time, how Kinah’s so fascinated (almost mesmerized) by the new little one. It’s great that she has a good big brother to take care of her while mom’s tending to the littlest baby.
October 23rd, 2007 at 4:32 pm
Margaret- Kinah still gets a mid-day snack to tie her over until the whole troop is brought inside for the evening. This usually includes a piece of yam, a couple of small biscuits and a grape. So far, I have not seen Kinah attempt to nurse. It’s a good thing too since our new little one seems to be a ferocious eater! As far as breeding, Kinah has a few years to go before she will start cycling.
November 3rd, 2007 at 6:15 pm
Who is the father of Bunzi’s baby? An earlier blog stated the Bunzi and Mr. Toad were distantly related and Bunzi was on birth control. Did I miss something?
November 5th, 2007 at 3:16 pm
Please write an update on Kinah new sister and Kinah. We need some exciting news to read while we anxiously await word that Mei Sheng has safely arrived in Wolong, his ” permanent” home.