The Gorilla Bachelor Scene At Paignton Zoo

By Philip Knowling

Paignton, UK - There’s a family reunion on the cards for some gorillas at Paignton Zoo Environmental Park.

The bachelor group of critically endangered lowland gorillas has welcomed two new arrivals who are full brothers of one existing member and half-brothers of another.

Brothers Kiri (aged 4) and N’Dowe (pronounced Endover), who is 5, have arrived at Paignton Zoo from Stuttgart Zoo in Germany, where they were raised in the gorilla nursery. The pair, both born at Barcelona Zoo in Spain, are full brothers to Kiondo and half-brothers to Kivu, although they have never met. In addition, Kiri has a twin sister at Bristol Zoo.

Paignton Zoo Environmental Park Director of Operations and Curator of Mammals Neil Bemment said: “We are really pleased that our bachelor group is still fulfilling its essential role for young male gorillas before they move on to breeding situations.”

The Paignton Zoo group was established in 1997 and is part of a European Endangered species Programme for the species. It is important for young gorillas to grow up in a social group. Males from the Paignton Zoo colony have gone on to father young in breeding groups across Europe. Paignton Zoo Research Officer Dr. Kirsten Pullen, who studies gorillas: “Ours was one of the first bachelor groups to be formed and seems to have remained successful even as we ring the changes.”

Senior keeper Craig Gilchrist said: “Kiri is adventurous and cautious by turns while
N’Dowe is cautious but placid. At the moment everything is new to them. We are spending a lot of time with them and they are settling in really well.”

The youngsters will be in routine quarantine for 6 months, which means keepers will be wearing protective clothing and taking additional bio-security measures. The plan is for them to mix with the other gorillas in the group during that time.

Craig: “First of all they will be able to see the others, then they will get some limited contact with Kivu and Kiondo. We will mix them when we feel the time is right. Later on they will get together with Kumbuka, who is a little older, and after that they will be mixed with the leader of the group, silverback Pertinax. There will be some rough and tumble because that is how gorillas do things, but Pertinax is a gentle giant. He will teach them how to be gorillas.”

Paignton Zoo is now home to a group of six gorillas. Pertinax is 26, Kumbuka is 11, Kivu 6, Kiondo 6, N’Dowe 5 and Kiri 4. In the IUCN Red List the lowland gorilla is listed as critically endangered due to both the bushmeat trade and the spread of the Ebola virus. 

Paignton Zoo Environmental Park is a registered conservation and education charity. For more information go to www.paigntonzoo.org.uk or ring (01803) 697500.

Paignton Zoo is a member of the British & Irish Association of Zoos & Aquariums (BIAZA). BIAZA represents its member collections and promotes the values of good zoos and aquariums. For further information please telephone 020 7449 6351.

www.paigntonzoo.org.uk
www.livingcoasts.org.uk

Paignton Zoo Environmental Park is a registered charity. Registered office: Paignton Zoo Environmental Park, Totnes Road, Paignton, Devon TQ4 7EU. Registration number 792877. Registered charity number 300923. Place of incorporation: Companies House, Cardiff.

Photo #1: Kiri settles in.
Photo #2: Keeper Lee Haley with N’Dowe.