Infant Socialization 2 - Zuri
Zuri, whose name means "beautiful," was born at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo via C-section on December 31, 1996, to mom Juju and dad Barney. She was human reared, and I first met her on November 15, 1997, while keeper Beth Richards was feeding her. She was 10-1/2 months old, and she wasn't as timid as Asha had been. After carefully smelling me, Zuri immediately began to grab me and try to climb into my lap.
Zuri was on exhibit during the day and entertained herself with toys and a climbing structure (photo at right). Keepers joined her at feeding time (photo below). She no longer went home with a zoo person at night, but slept in a den next to the adult females.
There were three older female gorillas - Zuri's mom Juju, her friend Roxie, and Bibi - and two younger females - Kwisha and Zuri's sister Asha. Asha and Bibi had become friends, which made my heart happy. Ernie the silverback was housed separately. (photos below)
Following a couple brief visits with Zuri in February, Beth Richards (photo at right with Zuri) invited me to join her for Zuri's evening meal and socialization, after the zoo was closed to visitors. Thank you Beth! From March 24 to May 28, 1998, I spent ten evenings, once a week, with Beth in the gorilla building, feeding, playing and socializing with Zuri (photos below). Jane Rasmussen-Dewar, who was visiting Colorado gorillas, joined us one evening (photo below).
The first evening, as Beth and I sat on the floor with her, Zuri initiated me with some very painful bites. When I gorilla grunted (a gorilla reprimand) at her, she reacted appropriately and backed away.
The second evening was bitter sweet. Beth informed me that Zuri and Asha's dad Barney (photo above, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo 1993) had died that morning at the Kansas City Zoo. He had been transferred there to be part of a bachelor group that was being formed. He was genetically well represented in the captive population, and Asha was reaching sexual maturity. Barney was a great guy, and his death was very sad news. As I held Zuri in my arms that evening, his young beautiful daughter, it was difficult to come to terms with the fact that Barney had just passed away.
Barney died of an aortic aneurysm. We now know that captive male gorillas can be prone to heart problems. See https://greatapeheartproject.org for more information.
By my third visit, Zuri was completely comfortable crawling into my lap and lounging there (photo at right by Beth Richards), climbing on me, leaning against me as she played with her toys.
When feeding and play time were done, Zuri usually didn't mind being put into her den at the end of an evening, climbing straight into her playpen and wrapping herself in a sheet. If she wasn't quite ready, she came back into our arms for a last hug, then voluntarily entered her den. When Zuri's arm was around my neck, she had a wonderful habit of moving her fingers in a gentle scratching movement on the back of my neck - felt so good!
Zuri liked my fleece jacket, so I would take it off and let her drag it around with her. She also liked my flannel shirt (photos below). Once again, a gorilla was showing me how important fabric is for them.
click on each photo below for larger image
Photo Gallery
Zuri's favorite toy seemed to be a small teddy bear (photo at right). During my fifth visit, she was placing it on her back and also laying on her back with the bear face down on her chest while she hugged it, showing her maternal instincts. The next visit I brought a stuffed fleece cat for Zuri, which she took everywhere with her (photos below).
Beth and I often socialized with Zuri in the public viewing area between the gorilla and orangutan enclosures. Zuri enjoyed visiting with the orangutans (photo below). One evening two of the adult orangutans were watching at the glass front of their exhibit. Zuri got all puffed up and bravely displayed at them, walking stiff legged and waving one arm.
Photo Gallery
One evening there was a dinner in the public viewing area, with tables, caterers, lots of people. I was with Zuri in her den when the other female gorillas came into their enclosure for dinner. Usually the adults were already asleep in the evening, with Bibi snoring loudly. The females had boxes and bags, which they began to play with, making lots of noise. This seemed to upset Zuri, who became agitated and kept trying to open the den door and rejoin Beth. This was the first time I observed Zuri appear to be frightened by the other gorillas. They were very interested in her, especially Kwisha who wanted to touch her, but Zuri didn't even want to watch them. Later when I left Beth and Zuri in the den, Zuri hooted for me.
By the end of April, when the weather wasn't too cold and the zoo was closed for the evening, we all bundled up and took walks around the zoo (photo at right by ?), visiting different animals, including the lions. We also spent time in the hummingbird and butterfly gardens. Zuri was all big eyed, looking at everything, and perfectly calm. Other warm evenings we spent time outside the gorilla building. (photos below)
I'll never forget the evenings I spent with Beth and Zuri. Thank you, Beth, for that rare and beautiful opportunity. Shortly thereafter Zuri was transferred to Toronto Zoo, where her father Barney was from. An adult female there had been identified as a potential surrogate mom. Toronto has an excellent gorilla program, and I figured Zuri would do well there. However, she was never able to integrate with the other gorillas because she was afraid of them, hiding in the hay. She was eventually transferred to Calgary Zoo, where she still resides. I was happy to see her there in 2004 (photo at right). She still had some problems, but the silverback Kakinga looked out for her, and that's immeasurably important.
Infant Socialization - Lessons Learned
Each gorilla infant has its own personality and unique background. I have had limited experience with only two infant gorillas, both females, and that was many years ago. (photo at left - Asha and me, 1993, by Jerry Billette) There are now detailed hand raising protocols for gorillas. Nevertheless, Asha and Zuri taught me a great deal, and I would humbly offer these observations:
An infant gorilla is always in contact with its mother.
Asha always, awake or asleep, wanted to be in physical contact with her caregiver, or within easy arm's reach. When Asha and Zuri chose to move away from their caregiver, they still needed to be within eyesight.
A gorilla mother never leaves her infant.
When an infant gorilla is being human reared, it is necessary to have a team of caregivers. When it's time for a shift change, the replacement caregiver needs to allow sufficient time for a calm transition before the previous caregiver leaves. Otherwise, the infant's life is one trauma after another.
Gorillas live in family groups.
And the goal of hand rearing is for the infant to be back with other gorillas as soon as possible. Therefore, the infant should be housed so he/she can easily see, hear, smell, and eventually touch other gorillas.
Gorilla mothers provide the tactile comfort and reassurance their infants need.
A human body cannot take the place of a mother gorilla's body. A gorilla infant benefits from the additional warmth and comfort provided by sheets, blankets, towels, or other fabric. Stuffed animals also provide comfort for the infant. Gorilla infants always cling to their mother; in her absence, the infant needs something else that is "clingable."
Gorilla mothers, and other group members, model the behaviors infants need to learn.
It is beneficial for caregivers to be as "gorilla like" as possible. When the infant is strong and confident enough, s/he can ride on the caregiver's back as they crawl on their hands and knees. Gorilla infants respond to human words, but caregivers should also use gorilla vocalizations, such as pleasure rumbles and gorilla grunts for reprimands. I have seen a gorilla mother reprimand her child with a mock bite. Other than that, I have never seen a gorilla mom physically discipline her child. It's fun to join the infant when s/he eats - never underestimate the importance of the social component!