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Post by panGH on Jul 26, 2011 20:14:13 GMT -5
The place for all things Bonobo!
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joan
Infant
Posts: 15
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Post by joan on Aug 6, 2011 14:28:48 GMT -5
I've seen them a few times now at Twycross which is the only place in the UK which has bonobos. They are split into 2 groups to prevent in-breeding and mainly come from German zoos. Lots of visitors call them chimpanzees but they are quite different. They have high-pitched voices which sound more bird like than ape like, they are very thin and not as muscular or strong looking as the others. They are very active, incredible acrobats and there isn't the same amount of chilling out and contemplation as with the others. There are 2 1yo babies at Twycross, the boy Winton belongs to a 1st time mother who is only now letting him venture more than a foot away, up to now every attempt to move away, her hand stretched out and whisked him back to her. Malaika the girl has an experienced mother Cheka who has always allowed her to crawl around. Both mothers are devoted and the group are obviously fascinated by and dote on the babies who are still tiny. blog.twycrosszoo.org/index.php/2010/07/new-arrival-bouncing-baby-bonobo-at-twycross-zoo/ |
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Post by panGH on Aug 6, 2011 16:36:43 GMT -5
I love the noises bonobos make, definitley very different to any other ape! I've sadly never had the pleasure of seeing them in person, it's likely that I won't for a long while yet as there are none in Australia. I expect when the time comes it will either be at Twycross or at Apenheul Primate Park in the Netherlands. The enclosures there look amazing. The groups (and babies!) at Twycross sound delightful!
Have you read 'Bonobo Handshake' about Lola ya Bonobo sanctuary? I found it to be a great read, and hopefully will introduce a few more people to this 'forgotten' ape.
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Post by pululah on Aug 6, 2011 16:43:18 GMT -5
We had a brilliant talk from the lady who started Lola Ya Bonobo and the vet who has been working with them about the project to reintroduce a group to the wild at Chester back in May.
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joan
Infant
Posts: 15
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Post by joan on Aug 7, 2011 3:29:18 GMT -5
Would be great to reintroduce some back into the wild but that is fraught with danger and frustration as the Aspinall Foundation have experienced with gorillas.
I've never heard of Lola ya Bonobo, must research them. I've read about bonobos in other books and have the Bonobo The Forgotten Ape book which is fascinating with stunning photographs.
Strangely Twycross don't make enough of their bonobos, most visitors think they are just another group of chimpanzees. The bonobos are opposite a family group of chimpanzees and whenever there is any excitement in either group the other group race to the climbing frames and have their say in the matter!
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Post by pululah on Aug 7, 2011 5:29:00 GMT -5
They had had to take one or two back and replace them in the introduced group but otherwise they were doing OK. If you read about LolaYa Bonobo you will see all about the project. It has a name which I can't remember.
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