Integration of hand‐reared gorilla infants in a group

Abstract

Though many zoo‐born gorilla infants still have to be hand‐reared and sooner or later associated with conspecifics, preferably a group, neither the managing procedures nor the process of social integration has been recorded in detail thus far. The present study, conducted at the Frankfurt Zoo, deals with a simultaneous introduction of two hand‐reared infants, a male and a female, into a group. The procedure of the introduction was documented. Behavioral observations were made during 1.5 years of integration by using ad libitum and focal‐animal sampling methods. The findings were compared with some data collected during a previous introduction conducted by a different procedure. The results show that both introductions were successful insofar as the infants were able to live within the group after a given time. But social integration by the new introduction procedure took much longer than previous attempts.

Effects of hand‐rearing on the behavioral development of infant and juvenile gorillas (Gorilla g. gorilla)

“…rn = male;f = female; studbook: Kirchshofer (1987). two female juveniles (Meder, 1985a). At the Stuttgart Zoo, two juveniles joined a group of one silverback and three adult females.…”

“…Much more difficult was the introduction of infants to subadults (Meder, 1985b) and to breeding groups (Meder, 1982(Meder, , 1984(Meder, , 1985a.…”

“…The formation of a group of four immatures at Cologne did not cause any problems (Meder, 1985b). Much more difficult was the introduction of infants to subadults (Meder, 1985b) and to breeding groups (Meder, 1982(Meder, , 1984(Meder, , 1985a.…”

“…She developed a close relationship to the female and was carried about and held ventro-ventrally by her when they were alone as well as when they joined the group after some weeks. The other infants studied either were not kept with adult females for a sufficient time before being introduced to the group (Meder, 1985a) or were considerably older when the introduction started. In these cases several infants or young juveniles showed aggressive behavior like "coughs" (an aggressive vocalization) and hitting or pulling displayed towards the older animals (Schaller, 1963).…”

A Case Study of Primiparous Maternal and Infant Gorilla(Gorilla gorilla gorilla)Behavior

“…When they do survive, hand-reared infants face challenges not encountered by mother-reared infants. Although many hand-reared infants develop into well-adapted and functioning adults, infants reared within a breeding group of conspecifics are from the outset exposed to, and developmentally benefit from, species-appropriate sexual behavior, maternal behavior, and association with adult peers (Meder, 1985(Meder, , 1989(Meder, , 1990.…”