Binti's Baby---Page 2 Back to page 1

“Binti is an exceptional gorilla. She is extremely tolerant and receptive to her training,” said Betty Green, a senior keeper in Tropic World. “This birth is the culmination of a lot of dedicated work by keepers and veterinary staff. It has been a very rewarding experience and we are all incredibly proud of Binti. All of us are excited and relieved because we feel like this is our baby too.”

Keepers are also excited about what the birth means for the troop in general. The new baby will join 8-month-old Kamba and juvenile Nadaya---and lots of play is expected. A livelier group is expected, with the trio of young apes learning and growing together.

Helping Gorillas in the Wild
Ten years ago keepers made very different preparations for Binti’s first baby. Being hand-raised Binti had not had the opportunity to witness and learn from other experienced gorilla moms. Prior to Binti giving birth to Koola in 1995, zookeepers wanted to ensure that she was as prepared as possible for motherhood. Using positive reinforcement, keepers trained Binti to do several useful behaviors, including sitting at the front of her off-exhibit area and presenting her chest as well as allowing a breast pump to be placed on her chest to familiarize her with the sensation of a nursing baby. If Binti had difficulty nursing or the baby appeared weak, this training would be put to use. That training, along with observations of other good mothers in the gorilla troop, has helped to make Binti into a great mother. Keepers have noticed that she is more attentive and calmer when handling her new baby.

Brookfield Zoo is a participant in the American Zoo and Aquarium’s Western Lowland Gorilla Species Survival Plan (SSP). An SSP is a carefully managed breeding and conservation program for endangered species in North American zoos. Both Ramar and Binti’s loans were based on a recommendation from the SSP coordinator.

The other two members of the zoo’s gorilla troop are Alpha, 43 and Bana, 10. Alpha is the matriarch and has been at Brookfield since 1961.

Western lowland gorillas are endangered due to habitat destruction, primarily from illegal and legal logging; the effects of war and refugees in ape habitats; the illegal pet trade; and poaching for bushmeat. The recent demands for bushmeat by an increasing number of urban consumers have grown beyond sustainable levels. Great apes are disproportionately affected by this industry because these large-bodied animals are easy targets for hunters, and their slow reproductive cycles cannot sustain the current drain on their populations. It is not known how many western lowland gorillas survive in their native land of West Africa (the forests of Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Nigeria, Congo, and Angola). Some recent estimates have been between 90,000 and 110,000 individuals, but new surveys are needed to determine whether or not this figure is exaggerated.

BIRTHday Party?
The zoo will give the public a chance to join in the celebration of the birth by offering a chance to name the newborn in a contest that will be announced in early June. In the coming weeks, the zoo also will offer a special online baby registry that will allow the public to help share the care for Binti and her baby.

Furry Films
Binti Jua and her baby have chosen to go out on exhibit---but if you cannot wait to see them we have some great video clips for you: (Large Windows Media files---broadband connection required.)If you do not have Windows Media or Quicktime you can download them here by clicking on the tile below:



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Binti and her new baby
Binti's baby
Binti and her baby
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