The rising Gorilla population of Jersey. A New Jersey born Gorilla baby.: The last 2 years has seen the birth of 3 gorilla babies in Mew Jersey zoo. The latest addition to the family came this October "Zaire" a female baby, of father 'Jambo' from Basle zoo. Switzerland, and mother, Nandi resident of Jersey zoo. Father Jambo has sired all three Jersey babie he was invited to Jersey especially for this purpose. His harem consists of N' Pongo and Nandi. n' Pongo has produce male baby Mamfe, and Nandi gave birth to the first baby, another male, Assumbo, in July '73, so Zaire is her second baby. All the babies are having as much care and attention lavished on them as human babies all in the interests of science as much as Gorillas. Neither mother was able to suckle their young, so the babies have had to be hand reared by foster human parents. The care of these gorilla babies has been accompanied by intensive behavioural studies, and physical growth checks, by specialists whose researches will be compared with similar studies of human babies. Clinical studies, necessitate hygienic conditions,so the babies wear napies, are spoon fed, washed and baby oiled then to test their intelligence and manipulative skills they are let loose on their toys. As the babies have to be removed from their real mother to be fed and observed, and as the contact with a 'mother figure' is so important to the well being and healthy development of the babies, each is alloted a foster mother. The human foster mother has a busy and demanding time, it's a full time occupation, Zaire's foster mother Mrs. Gillian Pook, wife of one of the zoo keepers. After a few months the baby will be passed over to the care of Jeremy Usher Smith who has looked after Zaire's brothers since birth. Zaire is so names as a tribute to President Mobutu, who is doing so much to protect the wildlife of Zaire, and also to commemorate PICS show. The babies at Jersey zoo. Zaire, born in October '74 had to be taken from her mother because she was unable to feed her, Zaire has the care and attention of a human baby lavished on her. Research specialist check her weight, and test her developing intelligence. She is spoon and bottle fed, has nappie changes, is oiled and washed, and given toys to play with, Mrs Gillian Pook is seen here with Zaire, she volunteered to be Zaire's foster mother.
Photo measures 10 x 8 inches.
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