You may remember my previous posts about the gorillas at London Zoo. First, in December 2008, silverback Bobby died of a heart attack. Last November, Yeboah arrived from France, a popular young male who hadn't yet developed his silver back. Then in March, he too died suddenly, apparently of diabetic shock. He hadn't been known to be diabetic.
When the keepers found out that the youngest female, Mjukuu, was pregnant by Yeboah, they realised they'd have to find a new male quickly. The girls need a male to keep them a cohesive group, or the other females might kill the baby. The new male must arrive in time to be hoodwinked into believing that the baby might be his, or
he might kill the baby.
They've settled on this handsome boy, 11-year-old Kesho from Dublin Zoo.
They're hoping he will arrive by the end of the month, and will be introduced to the girls soon enough to try and mate with Mjukuu and then accept her baby as his. Luckily, gorillas aren't known as accomplished in counting! Mjukuu is due to deliver in October.
Her baby will be the first at the zoo for 20 years.
Can't wait!!!