Comments on: It Takes a Village to Raise a Gorilla http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2009/03/11/it-takes-a-village-to-raise-a-gorilla/ Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:31:43 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: nancy from michigan http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2009/03/11/it-takes-a-village-to-raise-a-gorilla/comment-page-1/#comment-461021 nancy from michigan Sat, 15 Aug 2009 22:31:40 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/?p=3802#comment-461021 dear janet, how are things going in gorilla tropics? anything new, interesting, or exciting to report? I guess I need a baby frank update! is he still getting spoiled by the rest of the troop? his daddy is so large, handsome, gentle with frank, patient, and last but not least, AWESOME!!! I wonder if I will still be alive to see baby frank reach the size of his big daddy!!! hope so!!............are his trio of moms still hovering over him! I bet he is a bit more independent by now isn't he!? thanks ahead of time if you have time to give us an up-date! the birth of our newest baby panda bear has been the center of attention since his birth, but I still love baby frank ( gorillas have always been my favorite ) nancy dear janet, how are things going in gorilla tropics? anything new, interesting, or exciting to report? I guess I need a baby frank update! is he still getting spoiled by the rest of the troop? his daddy is so large, handsome, gentle with frank, patient, and last but not least, AWESOME!!! I wonder if I will still be alive to see baby frank reach the size of his big daddy!!! hope so!!…………are his trio of moms still hovering over him! I bet he is a bit more independent by now isn’t he!? thanks ahead of time if you have time to give us an up-date! the birth of our newest baby panda bear has been the center of attention since his birth, but I still love baby frank ( gorillas have always been my favorite ) nancy

]]> By: Diana S. http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2009/03/11/it-takes-a-village-to-raise-a-gorilla/comment-page-1/#comment-460861 Diana S. Fri, 14 Aug 2009 16:42:36 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/?p=3802#comment-460861 Thank you so much Janet for all the information on little Frank and his extended family. I do so enjoy reading blogs such as this that truly make us feel as tho' we get to know the families. You've written such a caring story. We know that all of the keepers love what they do! And we are often extremely envious of your interaction with all the animals at the park. Ahhh, if only we lived closer. Avolunteering I would go!!!! (I've just gotten back to the blogs and am reading through them in order if you question the "timeliness" of my entry!!) Thank you so much Janet for all the information on little Frank and his extended family. I do so enjoy reading blogs such as this that truly make us feel as tho’ we get to know the families. You’ve written such a caring story. We know that all of the keepers love what they do! And we are often extremely envious of your interaction with all the animals at the park. Ahhh, if only we lived closer. Avolunteering I would go!!!!
(I’ve just gotten back to the blogs and am reading through them in order if you question the “timeliness” of my entry!!)

]]> By: Janet Hawes http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2009/03/11/it-takes-a-village-to-raise-a-gorilla/comment-page-1/#comment-441212 Janet Hawes Tue, 14 Apr 2009 15:05:41 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/?p=3802#comment-441212 Hi Nancy- Thank you so much for writing- this was really nice to hear. It is wonderful to meet animal enthusiasts (even if it is only on the internet!) such as yourself, Max, Carol, Susan etc. who are actually interested in our work and can see the value of our wonderful animals. Your support and caring mean very much to us. Janet Hi Nancy-

Thank you so much for writing- this was really nice to hear. It is wonderful to meet animal enthusiasts (even if it is only on the internet!) such as yourself, Max, Carol, Susan etc. who are actually interested in our work and can see the value of our wonderful animals. Your support and caring mean very much to us.

Janet

]]> By: nancy from michigan http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2009/03/11/it-takes-a-village-to-raise-a-gorilla/comment-page-1/#comment-441127 nancy from michigan Mon, 13 Apr 2009 21:11:37 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/?p=3802#comment-441127 I meant to thank you Janet for answering all my questions last month in march. I didn't mean to take this long to tell you that!! I just think the whole process of what you did with baby frank was sooo interesting. it was so nice of you to answer all the bloggers questions! it makes us feel and think that we know alot more than we used to about gorillas, zoos and what the keepers are doing. ( even if we don't!) ha ha! we love it when you keep us informed. my husband thinks I am a little silly sometimes about zoos and animals. but, he is the first one to take me to the zoo no matter where we are. he knows I love it and won't admit how much he also enjoys the zoo and seeing all the animals. I just wish we lived closer to a big zoo! I meant to thank you Janet for answering all my questions last month in march. I didn’t mean to take this long to tell you that!! I just think the whole process of what you did with baby frank was sooo interesting.
it was so nice of you to answer all the bloggers questions! it makes us feel and think that we know alot more than we used to about gorillas, zoos and what the keepers are doing. ( even if we don’t!) ha ha! we love it when you keep us informed. my husband thinks I am a little silly sometimes about zoos and animals.
but, he is the first one to take me to the zoo no matter where we are. he knows I love it and won’t admit how much he also enjoys the zoo and seeing all the animals. I just wish we lived closer to a big zoo!

]]> By: bud phillips http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2009/03/11/it-takes-a-village-to-raise-a-gorilla/comment-page-1/#comment-440116 bud phillips Thu, 09 Apr 2009 18:24:41 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/?p=3802#comment-440116 As of April 1, Frank is out every other day, weather permitting. How do I find out what days he is out? Thx, bud <em>Moderator's note: With the current schedule, he should be out (weather permitting, of course!) on the odd days of April and May. </em> As of April 1, Frank is out every other day, weather permitting. How do I find out what days he is out?
Thx, bud

Moderator’s note: With the current schedule, he should be out (weather permitting, of course!) on the odd days of April and May.

]]> By: max http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2009/03/11/it-takes-a-village-to-raise-a-gorilla/comment-page-1/#comment-439832 max Wed, 08 Apr 2009 01:24:36 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/?p=3802#comment-439832 chari i said i would keep you posted and yesterday i saw the nz gorillas and baraka was very active and mandara and kibibi were resting in the hamock. and i chose the names that went on the website. and janet i went to your zoo 2 weeks ago and i went on the roof and saw membas troop. ekuba was playing with bouendjie it was so cute. and i saw frank for the first time and he was running and he fell over it was so cute and he was climbing all over paul donn anhis food. he even stole his food and paul donn did not mind it and when azizi tried he would not let her and say hi to the peapol who let me back there and they are chad and greg i went back twice. and let me know how all of them are doing from max. chari i said i would keep you posted and yesterday i saw the nz gorillas and baraka was very active and mandara and kibibi were resting in the hamock. and i chose the names that went on the website. and janet i went to your zoo 2 weeks ago and i went on the roof and saw membas troop. ekuba was playing with bouendjie it was so cute. and i saw frank for the first time and he was running and he fell over it was so cute and he was climbing all over paul donn anhis food. he even stole his food and paul donn did not mind it and when azizi tried he would not let her and say hi to the peapol who let me back there and they are chad and greg i went back twice. and let me know how all of them are doing from max.

]]> By: nancy from michigan http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2009/03/11/it-takes-a-village-to-raise-a-gorilla/comment-page-1/#comment-438423 nancy from michigan Wed, 01 Apr 2009 20:55:18 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/?p=3802#comment-438423 I think that baby frank is a lucky little gorilla. he has the best of both worlds. human zoo-keepers taking care of his bottle feedings and a trio of female gorillas hovering over him. big daddy even indulges the little guy climbing all over him! he doesn't seem any the worse for wear by mom not nursing him! hooray for everyone involved. it is obvious that little frank is not only tolerated, but loved by ALL! I think that baby frank is a lucky little gorilla. he has the best of both worlds. human zoo-keepers taking care of his bottle feedings and a trio of female gorillas hovering over him. big daddy even indulges the little guy climbing all over him! he doesn’t seem any the worse for wear by mom not nursing him! hooray for everyone involved. it is obvious that little frank is not only tolerated, but loved by ALL!

]]> By: Chari Mercier http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2009/03/11/it-takes-a-village-to-raise-a-gorilla/comment-page-1/#comment-437400 Chari Mercier Sun, 29 Mar 2009 04:37:02 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/?p=3802#comment-437400 Hi! Got some news about NZ's new baby gorilla. She is a girl, they had 3 names on the gorilla page for all of us to vote on, and now they have a name for the baby girl! They extended the voting a few more days thru Friday, 3/27, and today (Sat., 3/28), they announced that her name is Kibibi. She is now 2 months old, and her mom Mandara is doing a great job taking care of her. And, Kibibi now has 4 brand new baby teeth! Another milestone for this cute little gorilla! She's still riding on her mom's back, too, and she loves it! Will let you know how she's doing when new updates about her come in. I'm also waiting for new updates about Frank, SDZ's baby gorilla. Sounds like that he's got 3 mommas instead of just one! He's a very lucky little guy to have all of that attention from the girls! Well, gonna go. Take good care of Frank! Chari Mercier :) St. Pete, FL Hi! Got some news about NZ’s new baby gorilla. She is a girl, they had 3 names on the gorilla page for all of us to vote on, and now they have a name for the baby girl! They extended the voting a few more days thru Friday, 3/27, and today (Sat., 3/28), they announced that her name is Kibibi. She is now 2 months old, and her mom Mandara is doing a great job taking care of her. And, Kibibi now has 4 brand new baby teeth! Another milestone for this cute little gorilla! She’s still riding on her mom’s back, too, and she loves it!
Will let you know how she’s doing when new updates about her come in.
I’m also waiting for new updates about Frank, SDZ’s baby gorilla. Sounds like that he’s got 3 mommas instead of just one! He’s a very lucky little guy to have all of that attention from the girls!
Well, gonna go. Take good care of Frank!
Chari Mercier :)
St. Pete, FL

]]> By: marlene http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2009/03/11/it-takes-a-village-to-raise-a-gorilla/comment-page-1/#comment-436187 marlene Tue, 24 Mar 2009 19:03:54 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/?p=3802#comment-436187 I'm not familiar with the families - I need to go back to old blogs I guess...but i am having Frank withdrawals - will we have another update soon? He is beyond adorable. I’m not familiar with the families – I need to go back to old blogs I guess…but i am having Frank withdrawals – will we have another update soon? He is beyond adorable.

]]> By: Janet Hawes http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2009/03/11/it-takes-a-village-to-raise-a-gorilla/comment-page-1/#comment-436008 Janet Hawes Mon, 23 Mar 2009 16:17:26 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/?p=3802#comment-436008 Max- Thank you for your questions. My favorite is the one that asks which female loves Frank the most. Here is where I got my title "It Takes a Village". Although all three vie for Frank's attention, each female takes a different role in caring for Frank. Azizi is the most playful, Imani gives the most TLC and loves to snuggle, and Ndjia is the most balanced and reliable, she seems to know just what needs to be done at all times. I was delighted last week to see all three females sitting in a circle together with little Frank in the center. Caring for Frank has been the catalyst for a more cohesive relationship between all three of our girls. To answer your other questions: there is ongoing discussion about introducing Maka and the other boys but nothing has been decided yet. Memba and all members of his troop have had visual exposure to Frank all along. Nate says that Memba doesn't seem too interested in him either way, positive or negative. The boys Bouendje and Ekuba are very interested in Frank and are excited to see him. All of Memba's gang have seen Frank both through the wire mesh and in the hallway in front of the bedroom area. Thanks for reading! Janet Max-

Thank you for your questions. My favorite is the one that asks which female loves Frank the most. Here is where I got my title “It Takes a Village”. Although all three vie for Frank’s attention, each female takes a different role in caring for Frank. Azizi is the most playful, Imani gives the most TLC and loves to snuggle, and Ndjia is the most balanced and reliable, she seems to know just what needs to be done at all times. I was delighted last week to see all three females sitting in a circle together with little Frank in the center. Caring for Frank has been the catalyst for a more cohesive relationship between all three of our girls.

To answer your other questions: there is ongoing discussion about introducing Maka and the other boys but nothing has been decided yet. Memba and all members of his troop have had visual exposure to Frank all along. Nate says that Memba doesn’t seem too interested in him either way, positive or negative. The boys Bouendje and Ekuba are very interested in Frank and are excited to see him. All of Memba’s gang have seen Frank both through the wire mesh and in the hallway in front of the bedroom area.

Thanks for reading! Janet

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