Comments on: Frank the Gorilla: First Year http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2009/08/21/frank-the-gorilla-first-year/ Fri, 19 Mar 2010 20:47:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Claudia http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2009/08/21/frank-the-gorilla-first-year/comment-page-2/#comment-490127 Claudia Sat, 30 Jan 2010 19:42:07 +0000 http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/?p=5385#comment-490127 Do I sign up for that at the very front of the Zoo for like $100 or so (or less he he)? Can someone arrange for a group to visit the rooftop of the gorilla exhibit on February 14? I believe I will visit that day. I will for sure if I knew how to arrange a backstage gorilla talk. Now if you say yes, several hundred of us ape lovers will be there....maybe you can just give me a clue on my email ha ha Do I sign up for that at the very front of the Zoo for like $100 or so (or less he he)? Can someone arrange for a group to visit the rooftop of the gorilla exhibit on February 14? I believe I will visit that day. I will for sure if I knew how to arrange a backstage gorilla talk. Now if you say yes, several hundred of us ape lovers will be there….maybe you can just give me a clue on my email ha ha

]]> By: Claudia http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2009/08/21/frank-the-gorilla-first-year/comment-page-2/#comment-489064 Claudia Sat, 23 Jan 2010 20:00:29 +0000 http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/?p=5385#comment-489064 Hey I wonder if they notice "gray" hair in any creature? And give me more respect, or loving thru the glass????? I have a bunch of gray wavey hair from the Woodstock era ha ha, and that moma who is the darkest, is a handsome female gorilla who glances sideways, and comes to the window alot when I am there, just my imagination cause maybe they all do that. You can touch them right?? thru protection or bars? Is there ever a backstage event for gorillas? <em> Moderator's note: Small tour groups are sometimes taken to the rooftop of the gorilla exhibit and get a peek through windows to the gorilla bedroom.</em> Hey I wonder if they notice “gray” hair in any creature? And give me more respect, or loving thru the glass????? I have a bunch of gray wavey hair from the Woodstock era ha ha, and that moma who is the darkest, is a handsome female gorilla who glances sideways, and comes to the window alot when I am there, just my imagination cause maybe they all do that. You can touch them right?? thru protection or bars? Is there ever a backstage event for gorillas?

Moderator’s note: Small tour groups are sometimes taken to the rooftop of the gorilla exhibit and get a peek through windows to the gorilla bedroom.

]]> By: Claudia http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2009/08/21/frank-the-gorilla-first-year/comment-page-2/#comment-489063 Claudia Sat, 23 Jan 2010 19:48:37 +0000 http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/?p=5385#comment-489063 OH I LOVE the answers we get. I am a little shy to ask a keeper when I am there. Yes we cant see the other pools by the big hills, only where Paul Donn takes his nap. And yes all the females were rally together after that. Maybe they just wanted to teach baby NOT to go in the water, or you will be wet and cold the rest of the day! ! ! Wow I wish I had the money to go on a tour in the wild ! THANK YOU for looking at the blog. Panda blog is a girly thing, so we answer each other alot and are continuous in the "oh how cute" thing, but gorillas are cool to watch. I saw on public television of a wild life center or zoo or national park, where gorillas have their island, and there is water around with sea lions, I think. And they don't bother each other,cause one does not want to get wet, and the other does not want to be eaten !! Ha Ha OH I LOVE the answers we get. I am a little shy to ask a keeper when I am there. Yes we cant see the other pools by the big hills, only where Paul Donn takes his nap. And yes all the females were rally together after that. Maybe they just wanted to teach baby NOT to go in the water, or you will be wet and cold the rest of the day! ! ! Wow I wish I had the money to go on a tour in the wild ! THANK YOU for looking at the blog. Panda blog is a girly thing, so we answer each other alot and are continuous in the “oh how cute” thing, but gorillas are cool to watch. I saw on public television of a wild life center or zoo or national park, where gorillas have their island, and there is water around with sea lions, I think. And they don’t bother each other,cause one does not want to get wet, and the other does not want to be eaten !! Ha Ha

]]> By: Claudia http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2009/08/21/frank-the-gorilla-first-year/comment-page-2/#comment-488614 Claudia Thu, 21 Jan 2010 03:31:08 +0000 http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/?p=5385#comment-488614 Howdy was anybody there that day that the female gorillas got wet, saving OR fighting to hold the baby? Another Question: is the Silverback with the scar on his forhead Paul Donn? (I have never seen him that close as the last visit) <em>Greg responds: Unfortunately, none of us actually saw the incident and must base our understanding on second-hand observations and our experience with these particular apes. It is highly unlikely that there was an altercation around the baby, as those almost never involve the silverback, and when they do, the baby is usually untouched. What is more likely is that Paul-Donn (silverback) was responding to his half sister Ndjia, who is often the most bold when it comes to antagonizing Paul. It often results in a response on his part, and thus reinforces the behavior. With a young troop like this one, that type of behavior is very normal and fits well within the parameters of wild gorilla behavior. All of the individuals in that troop are very conscious of the water and avoid it at all costs, a trait that has clearly been passed on to the baby. However, if Ndjia pushed on Paul while the family (including baby) was down by one of the pools, he could have easily responded by pinning her in or near the shallow water. As with most physical altercations in gorillas, these are large, powerful animals and can create what we refer to as "collateral damage" when they get rough with each other. Babies are often underfoot and can inadvertently get swept up in the melee. It is also very likely that the baby getting knocked into, or close to the water, would have brought a swift end to the confrontation and rallied all three girls to his attention. The resulting behaviors (in which all of the females were focused on the baby and avoiding the silverback) could have easily looked like they were competing for the baby, if taken outside of the context I just described. One of the most important rules when observing wild animals is insuring you understand the context in which a behavior (or suite of behaviors) has occurred. This also explains why the motto for the primate keepers at the San Diego Zoo is "context is everything." There's always something new at Gorilla Tropics, and no day is the same, so thanks for the question.</em> Howdy was anybody there that day that the female gorillas got wet, saving OR fighting to hold the baby? Another Question: is the Silverback with the scar on his forhead Paul Donn? (I have never seen him that close as the last visit)

Greg responds: Unfortunately, none of us actually saw the incident and must base our understanding on second-hand observations and our experience with these particular apes. It is highly unlikely that there was an altercation around the baby, as those almost never involve the silverback, and when they do, the baby is usually untouched. What is more likely is that Paul-Donn (silverback) was responding to his half sister Ndjia, who is often the most bold when it comes to antagonizing Paul. It often results in a response on his part, and thus reinforces the behavior. With a young troop like this one, that type of behavior is very normal and fits well within the parameters of wild gorilla behavior.

All of the individuals in that troop are very conscious of the water and avoid it at all costs, a trait that has clearly been passed on to the baby. However, if Ndjia pushed on Paul while the family (including baby) was down by one of the pools, he could have easily responded by pinning her in or near the shallow water. As with most physical altercations in gorillas, these are large, powerful animals and can create what we refer to as “collateral damage” when they get rough with each other. Babies are often underfoot and can inadvertently get swept up in the melee. It is also very likely that the baby getting knocked into, or close to the water, would have brought a swift end to the confrontation and rallied all three girls to his attention. The resulting behaviors (in which all of the females were focused on the baby and avoiding the silverback) could have easily looked like they were competing for the baby, if taken outside of the context I just described.

One of the most important rules when observing wild animals is insuring you understand the context in which a behavior (or suite of behaviors) has occurred. This also explains why the motto for the primate keepers at the San Diego Zoo is “context is everything.” There’s always something new at Gorilla Tropics, and no day is the same, so thanks for the question.

]]> By: Claudia http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2009/08/21/frank-the-gorilla-first-year/comment-page-2/#comment-487262 Claudia Mon, 11 Jan 2010 19:00:57 +0000 http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/?p=5385#comment-487262 Oh I forgot, the Silverback whose family was out when I was there, he came close to the window also and he is the one with a scar over his eye and forhead. I never saw Paul Donn up that close he has never come to the window while I was there, the family was a cool family with 3 females and a baby so I just thought it must be Frankie, and Paul Donn. Apples must be like candy, so you only give them quarters not the whole thing? Oh I forgot, the Silverback whose family was out when I was there, he came close to the window also and he is the one with a scar over his eye and forhead. I never saw Paul Donn up that close he has never come to the window while I was there, the family was a cool family with 3 females and a baby so I just thought it must be Frankie, and Paul Donn. Apples must be like candy, so you only give them quarters not the whole thing?

]]> By: Claudia http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2009/08/21/frank-the-gorilla-first-year/comment-page-2/#comment-487192 Claudia Mon, 11 Jan 2010 04:50:26 +0000 http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/?p=5385#comment-487192 I came to the zoo today for the baby panda, and they only gave people 20 seconds. So after 12, I came over to my favorites, the gorillas. I visited them twice or three times, and each time I smiled and laughed and awed. But I think if Franky is still small it was Paul Donns family? But the Silverback looked like the one in the picture with the real high forhead and frizzed straight up hair, Memba? But do they have a baby too? ANYWAY, that family today Sunday, well once I came by and someone fell in or got pushed in the water on the other side of the hill, and they came back around, a female was ALL WET and the baby Frank all wet, but the NICE female was holding and protecting Franky after that. and if it was Paul Donn he seemed angry today, or like he had a headache, he was chasing the females around (not to get a kiss), and banging on the doors (for another piece of apple cause he only got a quarter of it), and running and yelling. I never saw Paul Donn do that, he always seem lay back, I am the King, sit by me if you are lucky etc etc. But the females looked familiar especially the nice one that carries Frank on her back....GREAT GORILLA VIEWING DAY (not a baby panda viewing day). Even the Orangies and the Sammies were cute and the Sammies looked black clean and shinny today !!! they even came to the window and didnt stay up on that metal tree. GREAT APE view day. THANK YOU, I gave kisses thru the glass to the mommy that holds Frank. She came up to the window RIGHT BY ME. THANK YOU. I hope Paul Donn gets over his "headache". I came to the zoo today for the baby panda, and they only gave people 20 seconds. So after 12, I came over to my favorites, the gorillas. I visited them twice or three times, and each time I smiled and laughed and awed. But I think if Franky is still small it was Paul Donns family? But the Silverback looked like the one in the picture with the real high forhead and frizzed straight up hair, Memba? But do they have a baby too?

ANYWAY, that family today Sunday, well once I came by and someone fell in or got pushed in the water on the other side of the hill, and they came back around, a female was ALL WET and the baby Frank all wet, but the NICE female was holding and protecting Franky after that. and if it was Paul Donn he seemed angry today, or like he had a headache, he was chasing the females around (not to get a kiss), and banging on the doors (for another piece of apple cause he only got a quarter of it), and running and yelling. I never saw Paul Donn do that, he always seem lay back, I am the King, sit by me if you are lucky etc etc. But the females looked familiar especially the nice one that carries Frank on her back….GREAT GORILLA VIEWING DAY (not a baby panda viewing day).

Even the Orangies and the Sammies were cute and the Sammies looked black clean and shinny today !!! they even came to the window and didnt stay up on that metal tree. GREAT APE view day. THANK YOU, I gave kisses thru the glass to the mommy that holds Frank. She came up to the window RIGHT BY ME. THANK YOU. I hope Paul Donn gets over his “headache”.

]]> By: josh http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2009/08/21/frank-the-gorilla-first-year/comment-page-2/#comment-487081 josh Sun, 10 Jan 2010 03:12:39 +0000 http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/?p=5385#comment-487081 Oh yeah! I forgot it was Paul Donn's birthday this past sunday. Imani, keep your big man happy. Ndjia, show some brother/sister love. Azizi, you've got a great hubby. And finally, Frank, let you old (okay, he's only 21) man show you how it's done. On my last visit, I saw BOTH Memba's and Paul Donn's troop. In the mourning, Memba's troop was out. I spent a good half hour observing them. I went back around 12:30 and saw Paul Donn's troop out on exhibit. Little Franky was up at the glass beating his chest and making everyone laugh. I came to the zoo for Franky, and I saw him acting just like he should. Oh yeah! I forgot it was Paul Donn’s birthday this past sunday. Imani, keep your big man happy. Ndjia, show some brother/sister love. Azizi, you’ve got a great hubby. And finally, Frank, let you old (okay, he’s only 21) man show you how it’s done.
On my last visit, I saw BOTH Memba’s and Paul Donn’s troop. In the mourning, Memba’s troop was out. I spent a good half hour observing them.
I went back around 12:30 and saw Paul Donn’s troop out on exhibit. Little Franky was up at the glass beating his chest and making everyone laugh.
I came to the zoo for Franky, and I saw him acting just like he should.

]]> By: max http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2009/08/21/frank-the-gorilla-first-year/comment-page-2/#comment-485996 max Sun, 03 Jan 2010 16:21:53 +0000 http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/?p=5385#comment-485996 Happy Birthday Paul Donn! And happy late Birthday Memba! Happy Birthday Paul Donn! And happy late Birthday Memba!

]]> By: Claudia http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2009/08/21/frank-the-gorilla-first-year/comment-page-2/#comment-484859 Claudia Sun, 27 Dec 2009 22:17:53 +0000 http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/?p=5385#comment-484859 Waugh wow...I think I see Indah letting Cinta nurse....(had to look up their names)....I read the babies stay with the moms a long time...I guess and do what babies do also.... wow....cool...about 2:00 up in that METAL TREE.. Waugh wow…I think I see Indah letting Cinta nurse….(had to look up their names)….I read the babies stay with the moms a long time…I guess and do what babies do also…. wow….cool…about 2:00 up in that METAL TREE..

]]> By: Claudia http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2009/08/21/frank-the-gorilla-first-year/comment-page-2/#comment-484857 Claudia Sun, 27 Dec 2009 22:09:12 +0000 http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/?p=5385#comment-484857 Oh cool ! even the ORANGIES get their close up ! Im sure it must have happened before, but this is my day to view lots of APE antics.... Oh cool ! even the ORANGIES get their close up ! Im sure it must have happened before, but this is my day to view lots of APE antics….

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