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2009:
Qs & As for „The Year of the Gorilla“ 2009 of CMS in
partnership with WAZA and GRASP
Answers by Jane Dewar, Founder Gorilla Haven www.gorilla-haven.org;
President, Dewar Wildlife Trust, Inc.; Publisher, Gorilla Gazette. 04Dec08
Why do zoos keep gorillas?
Historically animal collections have been popular with the public, with
human-like great apes, especially gorillas, being one of the biggest draws.
Do ex-situ gorilla breeding programmes support
populations in the wild?
Not necessarily, although with the establishment of the Gorilla SSP in the
late 1980s, more and more zoos are starting to recognize the importance of
conserving the wild counterparts of captive gorillas.
Is there a clear conservation goal articulated for a
cooperatively managed ex situ gorilla breeding programme? Is there a
cooperatively managed ex situ gorilla breeding programme?
The Gorilla SSP/EEP have scientific boards to ensure the long term
viability and sustainability of the captive gorilla gene pool, however 100%
cooperation among zoos housing gorillas has yet to be achieved. It was only
recently that the EEP and SSP managers met (at the 2008 Gorilla Workshop, I
believe) and a closer working relationship between the 2 main groups is needed
to assure no captive gorillas are ignored (ie: Polo in Mysore, India; Idi in
Belo Horizonte, Brasil; etc), and that non-compliant zoos are encouraged to
join the international efforts to conserve gorillas in the wild, as well as in
captivity.
What is the role of the studbooks for gorillas?
Since the first gorilla was born and raised in captivity in 1956, zoos
have been anxious to have baby gorillas, who increase gate revenues. The
Gorilla SSP, realizing uncontrolled breeding would (and did) create
inbreeding, however, began making breeding recommendations in order to assure
genetic viability for the captive populations, well into the future. This
breeding currently only involves captive gorillas, however, and doesn’t take
into consideration possible future release into the wild, or bush-meat orphan
gorillas at sanctuaries throughout Africa.
Is it responsible to keep gorillas, the second
closest relatives of humans in zoos?
They’re already here and those born/raised in captivity cannot be released
back into the wild, so good, progressive zoos are necessary for the current
population. Some question whether or not to continue to breed gorillas (or to
let them die off and no longer house them in captivity), but with the problems
facing their wild-living brethren, it may be that gorillas may only survive on
the planet in captivity.
How can zoos make sure that the well being of kept
gorillas takes the complex social structure into consideration?
By sharing of information, using the internet and keeper-exchanges,
inter-zoo cooperation etc, this is possible and is happening, thankfully. The
days of zoo directors who just want a gorilla or two to enhance their zoo’s
stature are coming to an end, as professionals understand the needs of
gorillas as individuals as well as a species is enhanced.
What are the specific requirements for keeping
gorillas?
There’s a huge husbandry manual to address virtually every specific
requirement for keeping gorillas, but basically they need to have choices,
space, social companionship and individual attention, as well as the basic
needs of a safe and enriched environment, and nutrition/diet monitored by
experienced and consistent professional caregivers.
Is there a plan to reintroduce captive gorillas into
the wild?
See CWAF (via Chessington zoo); Western Lowland Gorillas in Gabon
reintroduction in Bateke Plateau Re-introduction to the wild is the goal of
all bush-meat sanctuaries in Africa, however, the only zoo sending captive
born gorillas back to Africa from England is the John Aspinall Foundation (to
the best of my knowledge).
How can you know that gorillas feel well under zoo
conditions?
Behavior is an important indicator of a gorilla’s mental condition – if
they eat well, breed, play, sleep, and interact with their conspecifics
appropriately, you can surmise they are feeling well. But each gorilla, like
each human, is an individual, and what is good for one, may not necessarily be
good for another, so good caregivers are essential. Physical signs (no
plucking or stero-typical behaviors such as R&R, rocking, etc) are also good
indicators.
Do zoos also support field projects for preserving
gorillas, if so how many and at what financial dimension?
Some zoos are great, others do little or nothing. While Gorilla Haven
helps the zoo world with housing individual gorillas as needed, our mission
statement is threefold (1) helping each individual gorilla have the best/most
natural life in captivity as possible; (2) helping gorillas in Africa, at
sanctuaries, in field sites (research/observation programs) and (3) educating
the public about the plight of all gorillas. Zoos must vigorously protest
illegal trade in gorillas (Taiping 4 gorilla case) while supporting in-situ
sanctuaries (whose goals are to go out of business, since unlike a zoo, they
are not breeding to maintain species, etc). Zoos must also use their political
influence to end the Egyptian/middle eastern smuggling of great apes, as well
as to upgrade conditions for gorillas in sub-standard zoos in Asia, etc.
Do zoos have a link with conservation NGOs who are
engaged in Gorilla conservation?
Gorilla Haven supports a variety of NGO’s, but prefers to seek out the
individual scientists or sanctuary workers often overlooked, making a
difference, one person and one gorilla at a time.
Would it not be better to spend all the money and other
resources on in situ gorilla conservation? It’s the same issue – just two
sides of the same coin, so to speak. We need to do both – help gorillas in
captivity as well as in the wild. Saving habitat AND saving individuals
orphaned by bush-meat, war, civil unrest, etc.
Is it feasible to reintroduce captive-bred gorillas
into the wild?
Yes, as the Aspinall projects have shown, but it takes years and a lot of
trial and error, and isn’t fool-proof.
Are zoos achieving their aim of educating visitors
about gorilla conservation issues?
Not nearly enough, as zoos are still seen as entertainment venues, instead
of scientific, educational and inspiration centres. Most people watch gorillas
in zoos for less than 5 minutes (my personal observation after almost 30 years
of observing), loudly complaining they’re boring or not doing anything,
calling them monkeys, etc. Some zoos are doing much better at engaging the
public than others. Gorilla Haven, while not open to the public, has used our
fund-raising tours to engage and inspire our limited number of visitors, and
our website
www.gorilla-haven.org gets tens of thousands of “hits” a month, which
hopefully means we’re helping with these issues.
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Education Centre Contact Details:
Contact Louise on 011 646-2000 ext 254
or education@jhbzoo.org.za
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