ABSTRACTS 2010 International Gorilla Workshop Oklahoma City Zoological and Botanical Garden, U.S.

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1 ABSTRACTS 2010 International Gorilla Workshop Oklahoma City Zoological and Botanical Garden, U.S. Cardiology Roundtable Panel Kristen Lukas Ph.D., Curator of Conservation and Science, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo; Chair of the Gorilla SSP Hayley Murphy, DVM, Director of Veterinary Services, Zoo Atlanta; SSP/TAG Veterinary Advisor Jodi Carrigan, Primate Keeper, Zoo Atlanta Kirk Suedmeyer, DVM, Director of Animal Health, Kansas City Zoo Rachel Daneault, Zoological Manager of Primates, Disney s Animal Kingdom Monica Chaplin, Primate Keeper, Disney s Animal Kingdom Ilana Kutinski, Ph.D., Cardiologist, Beaumont Hospitals, Michigan Innovations In Raising A Mother Rejected Baby Gorilla Les Stegenga, Calgary Zoo, U.S. On May 15, 2008 our 11 year old female gorilla, Zuri, gave birth to a healthy female at the Calgary Zoo. It was a day of great excitement and some trepidation. We had great expectations that she would be a good mother in spite of the fact that she herself had been keeper raised. Since her arrival at the Calgary Zoo at the age of 4 1/2 she had been successfully integrated into an established troop of gorillas. As she matured she had often demonstrated strong maternal behaviours. We observed her carrying stuffy toys and even a vole as well as playing with juveniles in the troop. However, two years prior she had given birth to a baby which had unfortunately died of malnutrition after 12 days. We attributed the death of the baby to the more dominant females in the troop who kidnapped the baby for hours at a time as well as to her inexperience. Over the course of two years the dominant female members had died. We felt the stage was set for Zuri to give birth in an unencumbered environment as she was now the oldest female living with only the dominant silverback and a 7 year old juvenile female. During the first four days after the birth she showed appropriate nursing and mothering behaviours. However, she seemed to lose interest in the baby, stopped nursing and began to exhibit heightened stress behaviours. This included relentless pushing of straw including the baby around the holding enclosure. We had two goals with this birth. The paramount goal was the survival of the baby. The second was that the baby would grow up in a gorilla environment so that it would recognize itself as a gorilla. We didn t want to repeat the keeper raised cycle as with Zuri s birth. There were no immediate surrogate options available. Finding a balance between the two objectives can be a tricky business. The Calgary Zoo gorilla keepers found a delicate middle ground. We used a combination of operant conditioning, the development of a juvenile gorilla as a surrogate and timely keeper intervention to bottle feed the baby. As a result we achieved both goals. Our young gorilla, Yewande, will be 2 years old in May and lives within the troop on a continuous basis. Presenter Biography Les Stegenga has twenty two years of experience as a zoo keeper at the Calgary Zoo. He received a BSc. in Wildlife Biology from Trent University in He did research on polar bears in the Arctic, grizzly and black bears in the Rocky Mountains as well as elk and bighorn sheep. He joined the Calgary Zoo in 1988 and for the last eight years is part of the gorilla management team. Also he has guided eleven trips to Africa through the zoo s eco-safari program including two mountain gorillas in the Virunga Mountains of Rwanda. North Carolina Zoo Gorilla Chow-Free Diet: A Keeper s Perspective Aaron M. Jesue, North Carolina Zoo, U.S.

2 Since June 27, 2008, the gorillas at the North Carolina Zoological Park have been offered a new diet that is aimed at correcting problems with captive gorillas: heart disease, lowering cholesterol, and managing geriatric animals. With any new change, the gorillas and keepers both had to adjust to a new system. At the time of the diet change, the zoo s gorilla troop consisted of 1.3 gorillas: Nkosi, 17 year old male silverback, Donna, 40 year old female, Katie, 35 year old female, and Hope, 34 year old female. We believe that it was best to transition the gorillas for about one month from a diet that consisted of more fruit, more vegetables, and a commercial chow. These foods could lead to obesity or other health concerns. In others, especially male silverbacks, heart disease called fibrosing cardiomyopathy has been diagnosed. This has severely effected the captive population. Our goal was to address these health issues and come up with a diet that would be important for any gorilla for any stage in their life. The current diet is designed to mimic a wild gorilla diet and encourage foraging. The previous diet was changed to remove most of the fruits, vegetables, and all chow. Leafy greens and more browse items were added to make their diet high in fiber and low in sugar and starch. The number of feedings per day changed from two (fed once in the morning and once in the evening) to four (once in the morning, public feeds at 11:30am and 1:30pm, and once in the evening). Being fed more throughout the day encourages the gorillas to forage for their food and be more active. The gorilla keepers have adapted to the new diet and assisted in the data collection (prior to the new diet and after it had been implemented), measuring food waste, weighing each gorilla weekly, submitting weekly fecal samples for analysis, and managing increased workloads. The gorillas overcame an initial transitional period of one month. They were observed being aggressive with one another, refusing to eat half of their new diet, training only for apples, fluctuating weights, and dealing with numerous medical procedures. During the first five months, the gorillas increased their activity levels, stabilized their weights, increased their foraging, and increased the amount of food they consumed. Over the last two years, the keepers have continued to monitor their behaviors, adjust the diet items as needed, and continued reviewing the effectiveness of the new diet. Presenter Biography Aaron M. Jesue is a gorilla keeper at the North Carolina Zoo for the last three and a half years. I received my B.S. degree in Zoo and Aquarium Science from Michigan State University in I am currently the President of the North Carolina chapter AAZK. Two years ago, I helped establish an annual ape awareness event called Great Ape Weekend in September. aaron.jesue@nczoo.org. Saving Rafiki: Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Mastoiditis in a Western Lowland Gorilla Heidi Genter and Michelle Brown, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, U.S. At the end of July 2009, Rafiki abruptly stopped eating his normal diet, exhibited marked lethargy, and was often observed holding his head. He responded favorably to pain medications when he would take them, but it was a struggle to get him to eat. A week later, he was immobilized for a brief physical exam and blood work was performed, but no obvious causes were found for his symptoms. After consulting with SSP veterinary advisors, our veterinary staff started him on pain medications, appetite stimulants, antibiotics and analgesics for possible meningitis. When he would not take the meds, he was darted with a long-lasting antibiotic. He received two doses this way, as well as a dose of ketoprofen, showing some improvement shortly after, but then he deteriorated again. By August 27, our veterinary staff was consulting with human neurologists, as well as SSP vet advisors. A CT scan or MRI was considered the next step, since a brain mass was also indicated. Our Director of Conservation, Dr. Della Garelle, began searching for a portable unit that could handle Rafiki s size and weight. While she was initially told that no such units existed in the state of Colorado, Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers in Denver did indeed have a mobile CT scan unit and was willing to offer their services. On September 3 rd, Rafiki was immobilized for the CT

3 scan, which was done on zoo grounds. Severe right-sided mastoiditis was diagnosed by a neurologist on site. Dr. Garelle immediately took the results of the scan to Dr. Joe Hegarty, an otolaryngologist recommended by the neurologist. Surgery was performed on September 5 th by Dr. Hegarty and his surgical team from Memorial Hospital, who came to the zoo for the procedure, bringing with them their own specialized surgical equipment. The large indoor exhibit was transformed into a operating room, where Dr. Hagerty was able to successfully explore and drain the right skull mastoid area and Eustachian tube of infection. Rafiki was required to get large doses of antibiotics for six weeks after surgery to insure that no infection remained in his system. It was still a long process to nurse him back to health and find foods he would eat with his medication, and a follow-up CT scan was also in his future, which found no additional signs of localized infection. This paper will detail the dedication and teamwork it took of the zoo personnel and the community to get Rafiki back to full health. Presenter Biographies Heidi Genter, BA, has been a primate keeper at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo since She graduated from Kansas State University in 1993 with a BA in Biology. She cares for gorillas, orangutans, siamangs, macaques and tamarins in Primate World at the zoo. Heidi is active in AAZK and this is the third Gorilla Workshop that she has attended. Michelle H. Brown, BS, MS, CVT, graduated from the University of Arizona with a BS in Wildlife Biology in 1988 and a MS in Natural Resource Planning in She worked for The Nature Conservancy for 11 years as a wildlife biologist and land conservation specialist in Washington, Alaska and Arizona when she became interested in the medical side of wildlife health. While working as a wildlife rehabilitator, she went back to school and received a degree in veterinary technology in May She worked in a companion animal vet practice until she was hired at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo as their hospital manager in September Michelle has learned much from the keepers about zoo animal behavior, training and physiology and feels that the most enjoyable and the most important part of her job is partnering with the keepers to ensure the lives of the zoo s animal collection remain active, enriched and healthy. The 2010 Gorilla SSP Update Kristen Lukas, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Ohio, U.S. Dan Wharton, Chicago Zoological Society, Illinois, U.S. With 52 institutions housing approximately 350 gorillas, the Gorilla SSP has been cited as one of the most sustainable cooperative breeding programs in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. However, the strength of the Gorilla SSP reaches beyond its stable population status to include the incredible commitment of many talented and dedicated people working with and for Gorilla SSP member institutions. Since the last Gorilla Workshop in 2008, the Gorilla SSP and its members have been very active cooperating on socialization goals, sharing husbandry information, participating in the 2009 Year of the Gorilla campaign, and collaborating on a range of projects aimed at improving gorilla husbandry, health, and welfare. Member institutions have also worked together to limit population growth, socialize more than 10 adult males, and manage an increasing number of bachelor groups. In addition to reporting on the current status and activities of the Gorilla SSP and member institutions, this presentation will also solicit input from workshop participants to help shape future goals and activities of the Gorilla SSP. Dan Wharton is the Chicago Zoological Society s Senior Vice President, Animal programs since July He began his career with the Wildlife Conservation Society as a mammal curator in As a mammalogist and zoo biologist interested in the role of zoos in wildlife conservation, Dr. Wharton has maintained a long-term interest in establishing and managing North America s captive gorilla and snow leopard populations, serving as chairman of the AZA Species Survival Plans from 1992 to During most of his career with the Wildlife Conservation Society, Dr. Wharton was Director of the Central Park Zoo and

4 more recently Director of City Zoos for WCS (Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, and Queens Zoo). Dr. Wharton is also the Executive Editor of the zoo science journal Zoo Biology Kristen Lukas is Curator of Conservation and Science at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in Cleveland, Ohio (USA). She was first inspired to study gorillas while watching a National Geographic special in A oneday keeper volunteer experience at the Toledo Zoo revealed an allergy to hay that sent her to the other side of the exhibit glass as an observer of gorilla behavior. After relying on the book Gorilla Behavior by Maple and Hoff to conduct her first research project, she was accepted into Zoo Atlanta/Georgia Institute of Technology's Ph.D. program in psychology with an emphasis in animal behavior. She studied R&R in gorillas at Zoo Atlanta, Brookfield Zoo, and Lincoln Park Zoo before accepting a position as the first curator of primates at Lincoln Park Zoo in 1998 until returning to her hometown Cleveland in She is Chair of the Gorilla SSP (since 2007), Secretary of the Ape Taxon Advisory Group, and a member of the AZA Research and Technology Committee. Application of Geographic Information Systems Technology to the Conservation of the Cross River Gorilla in Nigeria and Cameroon. Richard A. Bergl, Ph.D., North Carolina Zoological Park (Presenting Author) Andrew Dunn, Wildlife Conservation Society Nigeria Aaron Nicholas, Wildlife Conservation Society Cameroon Ymke Warren, Ph, D., Wildlife Conservation Society Cameroon Inaoyom Imong, Wildlife Conservation Society Nigeria Romanus Ikfuingi, Wildlife Conservation Society Cameroon Inhabiting the southern portion of the Nigeria-Cameroon border, the Cross River gorilla (Gorilla gorilla diehli) is Africa s most endangered ape taxon and one of the 25 most endangered primates in the world. These gorillas are threatened by bushmeat hunting, conversion of forest for agriculture, and small-scale logging. The recent IUCN/SSC Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of the Cross River Gorilla identified comprehensive distribution surveys and establishment of a gorilla monitoring plan as among the highest priorities for the conservation of this population. We developed a data capture and analysis system (based on the Cybertracker software package) to allow the collection of standardized, georeferenced monitoring data by NGO and government field teams. This system combines ruggedized hand-held computers with GPS antennas and customized data collection software to allow all those conducting field research on the Cross River to quickly and consistently collect data in the field. Once collected, these data are easily download into a database which is configured to allow semiautomated mapping and analysis of gorilla (and other wildlife) sign, patrol effort and illegal human activities. This mapping and analysis can be done by staff without extensive geographic information systems or statistical analysis experience. We have trained a large number of NGO and government field staff in both Nigeria and Cameroon in the use of these devices, and extensive field surveys and monitoring using the system has begun. By providing enhanced data collection and analysis capacity, we have allowed more efficient, reliable and precise monitoring data to be collected on the Cross River gorilla. Additionally, new information about the distribution of the gorillas has been generated. Most importantly, the capacity of NGO and management staff to incorporate sound data into the conservation of gorillas and the region s other wildlife has been increased. Completion of the project has also encouraged the development of Cybertracker-based monitoring systems for elephants at Nigeria s Yankari Game Reserve and for primate research on the island of Bioko (Equatorial Guinea). Presenter Biography Dr. Richard Bergl is the Curator of Conservation and Research at the North Carolina Zoological Park. He holds a Ph.D. in biological anthropology from the City University of New York. His research focuses on the

5 Cross River gorilla (Gorilla gorilla diehli), the most endangered of the four gorilla subspecies. Dr. Bergl s research uses genetic data and geographic information systems technology (GIS) to assess population structure, habitat connectivity and population viability for the entire Cross River gorilla subspecies. He has conducted field work in Nigeria, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Kenya and has worked in genetics labs at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (Leipzig, Germany) and New York University. Dr. Bergl has also been involved with broad-scale biodiversity and conservation research in West Africa, is a member of the IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group great ape sub-section, the Conservation Breeding Specialist Group, and is Conservation Advisor to the AZA Gorilla SSP. Dr. Bergl is an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Biological Anthropology at Duke University and at the North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine. He is currently working on the application of GIS and genetics to improve the conservation of a number of species in West Africa, including gorillas, chimpanzees and elephants. He is also conducting research into the development of a more appropriate diet for captive gorillas. richard.bergl@nczoo.org. Phone: The Columbus Zoo Gorilla Surrogacy Program Dusty Lombardi, Barb Jones and Maureen Casale, Columbus Zoo, U.S. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium promotes mother-rearing of gorillas. Infants are only hand reared if there is maternal neglect or if a mother or infant s health is in jeopardy. The main goal is for a successful, early introduction. This can be achieved by simulating mother rearing; early exposure to gorillas and 24 hour dedicated one on one care, from the time the infant is removed from the mother until he/she is introduced to a surrogate. This paper will show the evolution of the hand rearing protocol, how gorilla infants are hand-reared at the Columbus Zoo, the significant components of this successful program and newly published Birth Management/Surrogate/Hand-rearing Packet for Gorillas. Thirty gorillas have been born at the zoo, eight of those have been raised in the surrogacy program and an additional five have been sent to us from other zoos to participate in the program. Several circumstances led to the creation of the Surrogacy Program. The gorilla staff had successfully initiated a program to create an age / sex diversified group. The nursery staff perceived a program where gorillas would be raised as gorillas and the time could be shorted for an introduction to a surrogate and family group. Traditionally infants had been introduced to gorillas at 31/2 to 4 years of age. As animal managers we knew that the introductions were extremely stressful and the process needed to change. Today the introduction calmly occurs to a surrogate by 5 months. This is a holistic program refined over the past 25 years that provides an easy transition from human mother to surrogate gorilla mother. Our surrogate program has evolved through trial and error, a lot of effort and much thought. Each of its components is necessary to maximize the welfare potential of the animal and is included for a very specific reason. This program has set the standard for hand rearing gorillas and has been adapted for other infant primates. Because of our passion for this successful program, we have compiled and produced a valuable resource packet through the APE TAG, which was recently sent to all zoos who received a breeding recommendation from the gorilla SSP. The packet includes details on birth management, surrogate hand rearing protocols, surrogate selection and introductions, and supporting videos on training, infant introductions, and gorilla births. Presenter Biographies Dusty Lombardi is currently the Living Collection Director of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and is fiscally responsible for the animal sections and personnel at the zoo. She received her degree from The Ohio State University. She started her career in 1979 hand rearing all infants at the zoo. She conceived the idea of the surrogacy program while hand rearing gorillas in the early 1980 s. She is a the Chair of the Small Carnivore TAG, Otter SSP, Vice Chair of the Cheetah, on the Ape TAG steering committee, Felid TAG steering committee, MMTAG steering committee. She is a member of the AZA Gorilla SSP, Orangutan SSP and chairs

6 the hand rearing/birth management/surrogacy program for the Ape TAG. Phone (614) Barb Jones has been involved in hand rearing infant primates since This includes all of the gorillas in the surrogacy program as well as an infant gibbon and bonobo. She is a keeper in the gorilla section at the Columbus Zoo. Her degree is from Lycoming College in Pennsylvania. She assists in the hand rearing/ birth management surrogacy committee. She is also responsible for gathering historical and current hand rearing gorilla data at the zoo. Maureen Casale started volunteering at the Columbus Zoo in 1990 as a docent. In 1994 she became involved in the surrogacy program by raising an infant gorilla. Since then she has raised several gorillas, a bonobo and a gibbon. She also raised many infant pronghorns in a surrogacy program at the zoo. She is a keeper in the gorilla section at the Columbus Zoo and assists in the hand rearing/birth management/ surrogacy committee. She is also responsible for electronic submission of historical and current hand rearing gorilla data at the zoo. All three presenters have traveled around the country teaching personnel at other institutions birth management and hand rearing/surrogate procedures. Bachelor Gorilla Group in Schmutzer Primate Center Pudjiwati Enny, Director, and Utami Mimi, General Curator, Ragunan Zoological Park, Jakarta, Indonesia Western lowland gorilla Africa (Gorilla gorilla gorilla, Savage) in Schmutzer Primate Center, Ragunan Wildlife Park, was imported in Gorilla is a bachelor group consisting of Kumbo (7 years), Komu (5 years), Kihi (7 years), and Kidjoum (5 years). Currently, Schmutzer Primate Centre have three male gorilla. There some changed behavior in this group after Kidjoum die. Based on our observations, starting in 2007 occurred in the group hierarchy behavior of this bachelor. After Kidjoum die, keeper had some time to separate Kihi from Kumbo and Komu. When circumstances are stable, two months later Keeper combines three gorilla. In a week, three times we combine Kumbo, Kihi, and Komu in the enclosures. The last that occur in the gorillas are Komu began to have very high confidence. With the weight that always accompanied with Kumbo and Kihi, Komu began to dare display to Kumbo and Kihi.The relationships between gorillas are gradually changed. We are currently completing construction of the gorilla enclosure. In 2011 two adult female gorillas will come from Howlett Zoo. This new gorilla enclosure broadly around 1.5 Ha, this design, not too different from the existing gorilla enclosure. Gorilla that will be brought is two adult females were due to be paired with Kihi, cause Kihi have good genetics than others. The Schmutzer Primate Center is one of the best facility at the Ragunan Zoological Park, Jakarta, Indonesia that has been built on about 13 Ha Ha already operation and 1.5 Ha still under contruction.the Schmutzer Primate Center Ragunan Zological Park is the first Primate Center in Zoos in Indonesia that grand opening to start operation on August 2002.The Mission of The Schmutzer Primate Center Ragunan Zoological Park is Strive to provide and Give the best for all species animals and educated people on wildlife conservation. Presenter Biographies: Ir. Mimi Utami MSC. Ragunan Zoological Park, Harsono RM No.1 Pasar Minggu, Jakarta Selatan 12550, Indonesia. Phone : 062 (021) Fax : 062 (021) mimi_utami@yahoo.com Employment Record: Staff of Animal Health Departement Head of Flora and Fauna Division Head of Planning Programme Sub Division Head of Research & Education Sub Division

7 Head of Primate Sub Division Head of Animal Exhibition Division Head of Animal Welfare and Exhibition Pan African Sanctuary Alliance Doug Cress, Executive Director, Pan African Sanctuary Alliance, Africa The Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA), which cares for 96 orphaned gorillas at its sanctuaries in Congo, Gabon and Cameroon, is expanding to include nine more orphans in May with the opening of the Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education (GRACE) center in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The sanctuary will be the first built in East Africa for the long-term rescue and rehabilitation of gorillas, and will focus on the ultimate reintroduction of as many of the orphans as possible. PASA is a partner in the project with the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International (DFGFI), Disney s Animal Kingdom, and the Congolese wildlife authority (ICCN), and the gorillas will be relocated from an interim quarantine facility in Rwanda via United Nations airlift. But even as the GRACE draws international headlines, PASA s other projects ranging from ongoing gorilla reintroduction programs in Congo and Gabon to law enforcement efforts throughout Africa will remain a priority. Doug Cress is the executive director of the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA), the organization of African wildlife refuges that collectively care for over 850 chimpanzees, 85 gorillas, 65 bonobos, and approximately 3,000 other endangered primates at its 18 member sanctuaries in 12 countries. Cress joined PASA in 2002, and manages the day-to-day operations of the organization based in Portland, Oregon. Cress also serves as a trustee of the Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage in Zambia, one of the largest primate sanctuaries in the world, and is a vice-president of the Orangutan Conservancy, which works to protect wildlife and habitat in Asia. Prior to joining PASA, Cress served as the executive director of the Great Ape Project (GAP), and spent twenty years as an award-winning reporter for The Washington Post, the Atlanta Constitution, the Los Angeles Daily News, and Time Magazine. Phone: The Ape TAG Conservation Initiative: Helping Zoos Help Wild Apes Tara Stoinsky, Zoo Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. and The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International Apes need our help. Catastrophic decline, precipitous loss, decimation these are the words used to describe the current situation for apes in the wild. Over the past decade, roughly half of the AZA institutions housing apes have contributed to ape conservation. To help increase zoo support of wild ape populations, the Ape TAG formed the AZA Ape TAG Conservation Initiative, which launched in January The purpose of the Initiative is to create a collective conservation fund specific for apes and supported by AZA institutions. In situ ape conservation projects will be selected for support using a process similar to AZA s Conservation Endowment Fund. Zoos can join the Initiative at one of three support levels. Benefits vary as a function of level, but all supporters will receive twice-yearly, publication-ready reports. The TAG will also develop and distribute educational messaging surrounding the Initiative. Finally, zoos will receive a yearly financial report and will be recognized on the Ape TAG website and in any TAG or AZA communications about the Initiative. Through such a plan the cost to individual institutions will be comparatively low, but the funds sent to the field will be significant. Our goal for the inaugural year (2010) is to raise $100,000 for ape conservation, which will enable us to receive a matching grant of $100,000. In this talk, I will provide an overview of the Ape TAG Conservation Initiative as well as an update on where we are five months after the launch. Presenter Biography

8 Tara Stoinski works at Zoo Atlanta and The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International. Tara is the Chair of the Ape TAG and a conservation advisor to the Gorilla SSP. She serves on a number of committees both within and outside the zoo community and is also an executive committee member for the IUCN Primate Special Group s Section for Great Apes and the executive secretary of the American Society of Primatologists. Tara has been studying gorillas since 1995 and her primary research interest is in the social dynamics, reproductive strategies and life history decisions of male gorillas. Hasani, Meet Your New Mom: A Gorilla Surrogate Introduction at San Francisco Zoo Kathy Edwards, Gorilla Keeper, San Francisco Zoo, U.S. Surrogate rearing is an effective way for a zoo gorilla to be reared by its own species in the instance that the biological mother can not or will not care for her infant. While hand rearing procedures have improved greatly over the last few decades, abandoned gorilla infants raised by a surrogate gorilla parent still have a great advantage over those raised by humans. In 2006 the San Francisco Zoo received a parent reared female gorilla, Monifa, with a breeding recommendation for the resident silverback. A birth plan was developed to monitor breeding, determine date of conception, provide appropriate prenatal care, and outline possible birth scenarios. After the birth in December 2008 it became clear that Monifa was not going to raise her infant. Keeper and hospital staff stepped in to care for the infant, but also called upon the Columbus Zoo s Gorilla Surrogacy Program for assistance. Hand rearing with the goal of surrogate introduction required a nursery in the gorilla building, identification of a possible surrogate, and training for the eventual introduction. Five months after he was born Hasani was introduced to surrogate female Bawang. The introduction required days of preparation, follow up monitoring, and a plan for reuniting the group. While the initial introduction went well, it took two more months of gradual introductions to integrate the pair into the rest of the group. The surrogate relationship has required continual monitoring and a change to the overnight group composition as Hasani s role within the group has evolved. A year after his birth the entire gorilla group at San Francisco Zoo is very involved in Hasani s care and he is thriving as an important member of his gorilla family. Kathy Edwards has been working with gorillas for eight of the ten years she has been a keeper at San Francisco Zoo. She is currently the primary keeper for the Jones Family Gorilla Preserve. Kathy gave birth to her son Lukas a month before gorilla Hasani was born and has fun comparing the two boys human and gorilla - as they grow up. KathyE@sfzoo.org Engaging Gorillas and Guests: Facilitating Gorilla Conservation Inspiration Ron Evans, Primate Team Leader, Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, U.S. The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden (CZBG) has a strong commitment to in situ conservation of western lowland gorillas, Gorilla, gorilla, gorilla and has participated in many projects over the years. CZBG maintains a long term relationship with the Nouabale Ndoki Project in the Republic of Congo that oversees the Mbeli Bai Study and the Djeke Gorilla Ecotourism/Research Project. In situ conservation support is an imperative augmentation and an arguable obligation to maintaining of this high profile species in captive settings. Although wild gorilla support is extremely valuable, its potential for impact is not fully realized unless it is in turn interpreted back to zoo guests and other outreach demographics. Creating inspirational moments between zoo guests and zoo gorillas is key to effectively imparting important messages about wild gorilla conservation. CZBG has a guiding objective to Inspire Every Visitor with Wildlife Everyday. To achieve this goal the zoo is constantly looking for new ways to connect with guests through innovative interpretives, special events and direct contact opportunities like keeper talks. In 2009, the gorilla keeper talk was enhanced by

9 incorporating a new tree climb behavior. The addition of this behavior provides interactive opportunities allowing young guests the chance to present the cue. Industry excepted management philosophies generally focus strongly on maintaining zoo gorillas as naturally as possible, housing them in species typical groupings and striving to encourage cohesive social units through modern husbandry practices, improved facilities, research and psychological enrichment and engagement. Another focal point of their captive management is public perception. Finding proper balance between gorilla stimulation activities, visitor engagement and naturalistic depiction can be challenging and has been a subject of debate. Deciding to incorporate a special visitor cued gorilla tree climb behavior required thorough consideration of these management practices and philosophies as well as a subsequent structured training and interpretive protocol before beginning. Ultimately this behavior was achieved through operant conditioning and successfully integrated into the conservation focused keeper talks. Just as behavioral husbandry has evolved immensely over the past few decades, guest interaction has as well. This project demonstrates an effort to further develop zoos into places that inspire conservation action through interactive education and inspiration. There are three factors that tend to captivate a zoo audience and encourage them to linger at an exhibit creating opportunity to learn more: animal activity, the presence of a keeper, and guest involvement. This project hits all three of these. Ron Evans has worked at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden for 26 years. He is currently the Primate Team Leader supervising the majority of the zoos 26 species of primates including gorillas, bonobos, and Sumatran orangutans. He very active with wild conservation work and has collaborated with multiple efforts including the Mbeli Bai Study, having traveled there in He sits on the Gorilla Behavior Advisory Group (GBAG) and is a member of the Gorilla Species Survival Plan (SSP) Management Group. He has a wife, two daughters (one of which is named after the zoo s gorilla Samantha ) and one grand daughter. ron.evans@cincinnatizoo.org Phone: x 8344 A Day in the Life of a Gorilla Sanctuary in Cameroon Susan Lutter, Ape Action Africa Ape Action Africa works on the front lines of gorilla conservation, where addressing the immediate threats faced by gorillas is as critical as is developing long-term solutions to protect them well into the future. For more than a dozen years, dedicated veterinarians and caregivers have worked around the clock to save the lives of rescued orphans, often wounded, ill, starved and traumatized. Emergency surgery, critical wound care, rehydration and nourishment are just part of the physical and psychological rehabilitation Ape Action Africa provides to each orphan. And while our thriving education program works with local communities to build a safe future for all great apes, we provide daily care for more than 250 endangered primates. Familiar activities take on another dimension when part of life in the rainforest. Rescue, rehabilitation and reintroduction take place side-by-side with nutrition, health care and group management. A Day in the Life gives us a glimpse into front line, grass-roots, in-the-field, on-the-ground gorilla conservation. Present Biography: Susan Lutter comes to conservation after more than twenty-five years of general management and business development experience in start-up and high growth organizations in the US and Europe. As a volunteer with the Gorilla Foundation, ultimately serving as Executive Director, Susan focused on strategic alliances with others in the great ape community. Susan is an active supporter of and the US coordinator for Ape Action Africa, a PASA member sanctuary, and serves on the US Board of PASA, the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance. Susan believes strongly in the importance of finding ways to connect grass-roots, in-the-field, highly effective conservation programs with significant supporters. She holds a B.A. from Depauw University and a

10 Master of International Management from Thunderbird School of Global Management. Phone: + 1 (650) Gorilla Weight Loss Program A Nutritional and Husbandry Challenge MVZ. Andrea Saucedo-Rodríguez, e.mvz. Luis Soto-Rendón, Guadalajara Zoo, Paseo del Zoologico Obesity has become a common issue for animals in captivity, factors such as inactivity, inappropriate diets, among others, are the main cause of it. In 2007 new staff was assigned to the Gorillas area, which in coordination with the also new management for the nutrition department resulted in a set of changes trying to improve the care given to our Gorilla family group (1.3). One of the first things that came into attention was the weight of the 2 older animals, Chato (Silverback) and his mate Chencha (both over 25 years old), at that point weighting 281Kg and 151Kg respectively, both animals showing obesity, fat accumulation, and very low rates of activity, their body condition affected their locomotion preventing them to climb, jump, run or perform other activities just like the 2 younger gorillas in the group did. This is why the need to establish a weight loss program for the gorillas was determined. Then the 2 major aspects that needed to be addressed were nutrition and activity rates. The feeding regime changed from two meals a day, to at least 5 a day mixing the diet prepared with browse. A wide variety of enrichment was implemented to promote locomotion, as well as training. Their nutrition went from an imprecise diet prepared with ambiguous measurements such as hand full of, pieces, a bunch of etc; to a new nutritional plan were all food items had to be taken into a strict caloric count and so, no more spoiling the gorillas with treats out of the daily caloric intake. Also many food items were removed from the diet such as peanut and chocolate butter, milkshakes, yogurts, stew rice, anything sweetened with sugar and of course dog pellets. A 4.7% of their body mass was established as the dietary amount to be offer as prepared food. Daily amounts of browse were added as nutritional enrichment, the amounts varied depending on the plant species being offered from the over 25 species authorized, normally resulted in an almost free access situation as the available browse always exceeded their capacity to eat it. The diet ended up in a balance of fruits 9.5%, vegetables 85%, pellets 3.5%, Nuts, seeds, cereals and mealworms 2%, plus free access to browse. Since 2007 to this day many changes were made in adjust to the results in body weight/condition, budget adjustments, and of course food preference by the gorillas or seasonal availability. Their actual diet contains 75 different ingredients. A list of equivalents was made to replace missing ingredients or to satisfy food preferences. In addition an average of 5 extra lettuces per individual a day were offered to prevent hunger. The goal was to get Chato to kg and Chencha to kg by the end of 2010, and so far the result has been satisfactory, weights were recorded weekly, and although we lost Chato in November 2009 he went from 281kg to 240kg; and Chencha went from 151kg to her actual 123.4kg. Luis Soto Started attending regularly to the Guadalajara Zoo since 1990 s summer camp. In 2003 started working at the zoo as an assistant keeper, has experience working with reptiles, birds, and mammals. Has worked with primates since 2004, and was designated as responsible for the Gorillas area in 2007 which includes other 10 primate species. Is in the process of getting his degree on veterinary medicine by the University of Guadalajara, Mexico. luiszooto@gmail.com +52 (33) / Introduction of Captive Male Western Lowland Gorillas (G. gorilla gorilla) And Male Drill Monkeys (Mandrillus leucophaeus) In A Zoo Setting. Jennifer Thomas, Linsay Maess, and Robert Lessnau, Detroit Zoological Society, Royal Oak, Michigan, U.S.

11 While much is known about gorilla behavior, little is known about their interspecies interactions. Specifically, there is no published data available that describes gorilla and drill monkey introductions. This paper presents data on the behavioral interactions resulting from the introduction of three western lowland gorillas and two drill monkeys at the Detroit Zoo. In recent years, zoological institutions have been shifting towards a more natural grouping of animals. This concept for most zoos manifests itself in mixed species exhibits. This more natural approach is usually considered a more enriching one as well due to the more complex environment that is created. In addition, mixed species exhibits can use the limiting factor of space more efficiently than a single species exhibit. Mixed species exhibits can also be an important option for bachelor gorilla groups since female gorilla companionship may not be a possibility. The objective of this study was to successfully integrate three male western lowland gorillas and two male drill monkeys that were captive bred. Data were collected at the great ape holding facility at the Detroit Zoo from July 8, 2009-November 21, Focal animal sampling paired with instantaneous sampling were used to collect data for this study. Positive, neutral, and negative interactions were scored during mesh and physical introductions during the 34 hours of data collection. The first phase of the study was to assess in which order the individual gorillas would be physically introduced to the pair of drills. The second part of the study was to physically introduce the three western lowland gorillas, one at a time to the two male drill monkeys and observe their reactions. A total of 234 interactions were scored during the data collection process, of which 81% (190) were scored as being positive. In addition, the incidences of aggressive interactions were low and the group of five animals has maintained long term cohesion through continued cohabitation. Presenter Biographies: Jennifer Thomas received her Bachelors of Science in Zoo and Aquarium Science from Michigan State University in She went on to receive her Masters of Science in 2009 also in Zoo and Aquarium Science from Michigan State University. She completed her internship at Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek, Michigan in the summer of She went on to work at Binder Park until May of In January of 2002 she was hired by the Detroit Zoological Society as a full time primate keeper. In 2005 she was given the position of Enrichment and Research Technician of primates. This position allowed her to take on a more primary role in the enrichment, training, and research of the zoos primates. She has been on the enrichment committee at Detroit since its inception and has designed much of the current enrichment and training paperwork for the primate unit. In May of 1997 she traveled to Kenya to further her research skills with African animals. Most recently, in May of 2009, she traveled to Indonesia to further her conservation knowledge of Indonesian species. She is currently working in the Great Ape area at The Detroit Zoo focusing on primate training and research. Lindsay Maess is a primate keeper and primary trainer of the drills at the Detroit Zoo. She was born in Rock Island, Illinois, graduating from Augustana College in In addition to her current position, Lindsay has worked with chimpanzees at Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage in Zambia, in the herpetology department at the Toledo Zoo, and with primates at Monkey Town Primate Center in South Africa. Recently, Lindsay participated in the 2010 Bioko Biodiversity Protection Program's primate censusing expedition, where she observed Bioko drills on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea. Lindsay can be contacted at lindsaymaess@hotmail.com. Robert Lessnau received his Bachelors of Science from Dallas Baptist University and his Masters of Science from Wayne State University. He is currently the Curator of Mammals at the Detroit Zoological Society. He is also currently on the management committee for ring tailed lemurs, on the education committee for the American Society of Primatologists, and is an Adjunct Professor at Oakland Committee College. In addition, he was an adjunct professor at Amstrong Atlantic State University from He has served on the Wildlife Conservation Society as a senior zoologist for primates from He has also served as a steering committee member on the Prosimian Taxon Advisory Group. He has done field work with primates in Madagascar, Costa Rica, and Panama.

12 Biggest Loser-Gorilla Style: How Small Husbandry Changes Can Result In Significant Weight Losses Maureen Leahy (presenter) and Leslie Lurz, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Body weight management can be a challenging component of animal care, especially for individuals who are more prone to obesity, which can include domestic, companion, and even some zoo animals. Western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) is one species that may have a greater propensity towards obesity in a zoological setting because of risk factors including, but not limited to: social dynamics in group-feeding contexts often impede dietary portion control; dietary rations may be especially calorically dense and higher in fat and carbohydrate content; and exhibit size and design may limit energy devoted to food-collection and processing. Given the interaction between obesity and long-term health issues including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and arthritis, captive weight management poses a critical challenge to gorilla caretakers. At Lincoln Park Zoo, a few of the 12 resident gorillas were previously diagnosed as significantly overweight by veterinarian and nutritionist staff. In response, the animal care staff at the Regenstein Center for African Apes implemented a number of small changes in husbandry practices to promote weight loss. Caretakers incorporated daily exercise and routine weighing in positive reinforcement training sessions, along with modifications in diet composition, presentation, and distribution. Over the course of two years, these practices resulted in significant weight loss in all affected individuals: two silverbacks lost an average of 35 pounds, while the heaviest female lost a total of 55 pounds. This paper will describe how we incorporated these weight loss practices into our daily husbandry routine and can provide other institutions with a low-cost model for a gorilla weight management program. Present Biographies: Maureen Leahy is the Assistant Curator of Primates at Lincoln Park Zoo overseeing the Regenstein Center for African Apes and the Helen Brach Primate House. She has been working with primates in a zoological setting for nearly 15 years both as a primate keeper and a manager. Maureen is currently a member of the Gorilla SSP Management Group. mleahy@lpzoo.org Ph Leslie Lurz received a Bachelor of Science Zoology degree from Michigan State University and started her zoo keeping career at Lincoln Park Zoo in She has worked in both the Bird House and for several years in the Primate House. Leslie has been an ape keeper at the Regenstein Center for African Apes since llurz@lpzoo.org Phone Waiting For Her Time To Come: A Young Female Gorilla Makes An Unpredictable Debut On A New Social Stage Dominic Calderisi (Presenter) and Maureen Leahy, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Transferring Western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) from one social group to another is a common practice among zoological institutions to support population management. The introduction of a new individual into a social group is a time of considerable and unpredictable social changes; therefore, management staff must be prepared for a range of potential events and outcomes. In December 2010, Lincoln Park Zoo s Regenstein Center for African Apes staff developed a step-by-step introduction plan for the Gorilla SSP-recommended transfer of 13 year old female Rollie from one of the facility s gorilla groups (led by silverback Jojo ) into another gorilla group (led by silverback Kwan ). Management staff established parameters for advancement to each step in the introduction process and developed contingency strategies for potential outcomes, which included the use of wounding criteria. In developing these plans, staff took special note of Rollie s previous low ranking social status and behavioral data taken from the facility s daily monitoring research program.

13 Initial visual and protected contact introductions between Rollie and Kwan included numerous positive pro-social interactions and very limited aggressive displays. Previously, while in Jojo s troop, Rollie was a low ranking female and rarely displayed dominance behaviors. Therefore it was surprising when she demonstrated a new confidence and an unpredicted boldness in a significant initial aggressive response towards Kwan. This paper will describe the physical details of our facility's layout, as well as the transition to both visual and physical contact introduction components. In addition, this paper will describe the behavioral details of Rollie s transition from Jojo s group, her integration into Kwan s group, and the effect of her transfer on the social dynamics of both gorilla troops. Most importantly, it will demonstrate that even the most involved animal care staff members can never fully predict the outcome of an introduction. Dominic Calderisi is a 20 year veteran of Lincoln Park Zoo. He has been the Lead Keeper of the Regenstein Center for African Apes since the opening in Prior to that he has been the Lead Keeper of Hoofstock as well as a keeper of Large Mammals (including elephants) and Carnivores. He has a bachlor's degree from North Eastern Illinois University and a Master's degree from Depaul University. dcalderisi@lpzoo.org Phone: Maureen Leahy is the Assistant Curator of Primates at Lincoln Park Zoo overseeing the Regenstein Center for African Apes and the Helen Brach Primate House. She has been working with primates in a zoological setting for nearly 15 years both as a primate keeper and a manager. Maureen is currently a member of the Gorilla SSP Management Group. mleahy@lpzoo.org Ph A 2010 Survey of Gorilla Diets: A Follow Up of the 1997 National Dietary Survey Bonnie K. Smith and Dr. Melissa Remis, Purdue University, U.S. This study examines the current diet of gorillas in zoo environments as an initial step in the development of dietary recommendations to improve the health and well-being of captive western lowland gorillas. Although western gorillas in their native habitats forage actively and consume seasonally variable and complex diets rich in fiber and polyphenols, captive gorillas ingest high-quality, low-fiber domestic diets that differ from those likely consumed over the course of evolution. This research acts as a follow up to 1997 American Zoological Association Diet Survey Gorilla Species Survival Program review of captive gorilla diets and dietary recommendations. In a preliminary analysis of an ongoing survey of the current diets of 18 North American zoological institutions that house gorillas, fiber levels appear to have increased from the 1997 surveys. In the current study, 94% of institutions fed a leaf eater high fiber primate chow, with 53% of those zoos feeding the highest fiber leaf eater biscuit available. 83% of zoos feed carrots and romaine with other commonly fed items including sweet potatoes, celery, oranges, apples, bananas and kale. Of the commonly fed domestic produce, oranges (25.42 % Total Dietary Fiber - TDF) and sweet potatoes (20.04 % Neutral Detergent Fiber - NDF) have the highest fiber levels. Although daily consumption of woody browse may be one of the best ways to increase fiber and polyphenol levels among zoo gorillas, only 50% of zoos reported feeding any variety of woody browse species with a wide range of frequency from once a month to daily. The NDF levels of two sample zoo diets (17.2% and 23.7%) did not vary markedly from the SSP recommendations (16.9%) but are still markedly different than levels reported from 5 western lowland gorilla sites (mean NDF 54.4%). Continuing to modify zoo diets to better maximize low density, high fiber and polyphenol foods will promote activity and health among relatively sedentary zoo gorillas and be consistent with gorilla adaptations for processing low-quality foods. Ongoing research aims to develop feasible, low cost ways of increasing fiber and polyphenol levels in captive gorilla diets. Bonnie K. Smith, Doctoral Candidate, Department of Anthropology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN,