GORILLA CONSERVATION
Western lowland gorillas are considered critically endangered with an estimated 100,000 remaining in the remnant wild . Due to habitat destruction their numbers continue to decline . Coltan mining in particular is impacting the gorilla population . Coltan is a black metallic mineral that is used in nearly every electronic device today including cell phones .
The Louisville Zoo partners with Louisville-based Eco-Cell and collects old cell phones to help reduce the need for coltan mining around gorilla habitats .
Visit louisvillezoo . org / ecocell for more information .
this fascinating progression while Kindi remains on view on a limited schedule as keepers introduce her to all gorilla exhibits indoors and out at Gorilla Forest . Check louisvillezoo . org / notices for the latest exhibit times — always subject to change , of course .
The Next Steps for Kindi The detailed process of introducing Kindi to her possible surrogates is in full swing . Kweli and Paki — the two adult female gorillas in Gorilla Forest that shared the social group with her mother and father ( silverback Mshindi ) — interact with Kindi through exhibit mesh or at a special “ howdy panel ,” a mesh panel adjacent to the off-exhibit nursery . A common interaction involves Paki reaching a finger through the mesh to touch Kindi ’ s head or watching her closely . As this process evolves , Kindi will likely have private bonding time with either Paki or Kweli . Keepers are now training Kindi to take her bottle through the mesh so that once she inhabits the same space as her surrogate , keepers can continue to feed her for several years . This will be a crucial milestone in her rearing and surrogacy .
It is the Zoo ’ s sincere hopes that Paki or Kweli will be Kindi ’ s surrogate mother so that she can stay in Louisville , but the Zoo is working in conjunction with others in the field to make the final determination . The Zoo is consulting with a team of AZA experts in gorilla management and hand rearing . Many of these experts have visited the Zoo , met with keepers , observed the rearing process and will continue to visit throughout these next important months to help make the decision that is best for Kindi and her future .
Top : Possible surrogate Paki looks in on Kindi from a safe distance .
Follow Kindi ’ s Journey at louisvillezoo . org / kindi brought to you by
The Zoo ’ s accrediting body — the Association of Zoos and Aquariums ( AZA ) — issues a breeding recommendation through the organization ’ s Species Survival Plan ( SSP ) allowing Zoos to breed . Each endangered species has a dedicated SSP that manages just that species and offers recommendations based on the genetics of the managed population in North American Zoos .
Alongside this recommendation , Zoos receive a birth management guide , a kind of “ What to Expect When You ’ re Expecting ” which covers conception to birth and , if needed as in this case , hand-rearing best practices . Everyone caring for Kindi studied this guide during the months building up to her birth and it is always within arms ’ reach .
6 • Louisville Zoo Trunkline • Summer 2016