HOT TOPIC! - Will Ndume (Gorilla) Become The Gorilla Foundation's New Cash Cow?

With Koko now gone, what will become of Ndume?

Screencap of Ndume

from koko.org

For those of you who aren't familiar with Ndume, here is a bit of background.  Ndume was born at Cincinnati Zoo.  Hand raised.  Sent to Brookfield Zoo. He was labeled a problem child, because he displayed typical Ape frustration often caused by stress and other related factors.  He was a poop thrower.  Low on the desirable totem pole, he was sent packing to The Gorilla Foundation in 1991 to be Koko's new alleged boyfriend, after no mating between her and Michael, another Gorilla Foundation casualty, stolen from his Mother in the wild and bought by Penny, along with a female, who allegedly didn't survive the journey.  He passed away in 2000.  There has been much said about whether or not TGF's Penny Patterson was ever seriously going to let Koko that close to another Gorilla conceive or if his residence there was just another smoke screen to keep the "Koko wants a baby" scenario alive.  With no contact with Koko, Ndume has sat there living in a trailer (as did Koko), and allegedly rotating with her for use of a fenced in outdoor space.

When I heard of Koko's passing, after being sad about her death and the life she was cruelly forced to live, my immediate thought was, what about Ndume?  I remembered a Petition I signed to Free Ndume several years ago, so I revisited that to learn more about his situation.  I don't claim to have followed The Gorilla Foundation closely, or know everything first hand, but I have done some research, and by all accounts, Ndume really does need to be in a better living situation. 

In addition to the condensed information on the Petition site, I read through all the pertaining posts on the Petitioner, Dawn Forsythe's blog, Chimp Trainer's Daughter. This one in particular gives more of Ndume's history.  http://chimptrainersdaughter.blogspot.com/2013/03/meet-ndume-feces-flinging-gorilla-with.html  

I was already acquainted with Dawn who is highly regarded and would not put forth claims she did not research and confirm.   Another  resource I read through was a former TGF employees Facebook page, Ndume Still Ignored.  There are many comments by former caregivers detailing their experience.  Of course The Gorilla Foundation can and has said that the claims made about what goes on there with the Gorillas care and well-being (while Koko was still alive) are untrue, but seriously, when you read through the stories and comments, there are too many former employees confirming the same things.  Regardless of whether these alleged experiences are true or not (I personally believe them),  the bottom line is, Ndume is a Great Ape and he is now living basically in solitary confinement.  He and Koko allegedly never shared the same space, although TGF maintained they communicated through mesh.   So he may or may not have been living an isolated life for the past 27 years, and with Koko's passing, he is definitely living one now.

Last week would have been Koko's 47th Birthday.   The Gorilla Foundation sent out an email to past supporters.  This was forwarded to me by a friend, who was a former supporter.  I will post it in its entirety at the end for those who are interested in the full version.  That said, I read through this email and was sick.  It basically asked for Donations in Koko's Memory.  I am disgusted that even in death TGF is pimping Koko out for donations.  There is no Legacy to keep going, in regard to asking for donations.  There is no further work to be done.  In fact in my opinion the "work", also known as experimenting, should have not gone on for 46 years of Koko's life.  The words of TGF's Penny Patterson in this email, make it seem like she plans to continue, literal "business" as usual.  Does that mean Ndume will now take Koko's place and be the one pimped out? 

In Dawn Forsythe's Petition of 2014, she urges the Cincinnati Zoo who still holds ownership of Ndume to Bring Ndume Home, give him the care and respect he deserves.  In essence, so he can live out his life with other Gorillas. There was no response from the decision makers at the Zoo whom the Petition was aimed at, Ron Evans and Bob Lessnau.  It seems obvious the Cincinnati Zoo has turned their back on Ndume.  Shameful. 

It has been reported that the AZA/SSP recommended in 2013 that the Cincinnati Zoo recall Ndume.  What became of that?   I know for a fact with my experience with our SFZoo that AZA/SSP recommendations are advised to be followed, otherwise accreditation and additional Animal transfers from other AZA Zoos will be at stake.  So I can only surmise that the Cincinnati Zoo who doesn't want Ndume and the AZA/SSP are working in cahoots to not recall him back to Cincinnati.  From what I've read of his treatment there and at Brookfield, Ndume is better off not going back to Cincinnati and a home found for him elsewhere.

Why have the Cincinnati Zoo and the AZA/SSP allowed Ndume to continue to live at The Gorilla Foundation for 27 years in isolation?  He went there under the guise of a companionship with Koko.  When that didn't materialize why wasn't he recalled back to Cincinnati?  Why wasn't he sent to another Zoo?  Space became available at Cincinnati when Harambe was killed, why did Cincinnati and AZA/SSP choose to acquire another male for Harambe's group?  If Ndume isn't a desirable breeding candidate, then why hasn't he been transferred to a Bachelor group?  I've read there are a couple dozen in AZA Zoos.  I have another idea, I'm still logistically working out in my head, but will post about soon.

So, now that Koko is gone, the question to the Cincinnati Zoo, the AZA, and the SSP, ... What is the future plan for Ndume?

Some say, Ndume has developed anti-social behavioral issues from being isolated and that he wouldn't be able to be introduced back into a Gorilla group.  Others say, with proper socialization he could be.   It would seem that for his well-being, trying to get him into a group situation by whatever means, is morally the right thing to do.  I of course put emotion into every Animal situation.  My first thought is, he needs to be with other Gorillas, but then I think,  TGF has been his home for 27 years, it's what he knows, is it right to take him away from that?  But, since know one can know for sure,  Is he comfortable there or waiting for someone to rescue him?  What is for sure, is being forced to live a life of isolation is cruel.  Something has to be done. 

Ndume should be given the opportunity to be a Gorilla, something Koko never got.

I have taken a list of individuals from the AZA site in regard to Gorillas and sought out contact email addresses.  Where direct email is not listed, I inquired and did not get reply back, so will use general email.  If new contact info is provided, I'll update the list.  I did not include any contacts from Cincinnati Zoo, because after all I've read its clear they don't want Ndume. ... If anyone is inclined, please take a moment to contact one or all of these people, expressing your thoughts about Ndume and inquiring about his future. 

AZA Animal Program Leaders (Gorilla)

Ape TAG Chair:

>Tara Stoinski, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International  ... info@gorillafund.org  ATTN: Tara Stoinski in subject line

Ape TAG Vice Chair:

>Tracy Fenn, Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens ... FennT@jacksonvillezoo.org

Western Lowland Gorilla SSP Coordinator: 

>Kristen Lukas, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo ... kel@clevelandmetroparks.com

Western Lowland Gorilla SSP Vice Coordinator:

>Rachel Daneault, Disney's Animal Kingdom  ... guest.services@disneyworld.com Attn: Rachel Daneault in subject line.

Western Lowland Gorilla Studbook Keeper: 

>Roby Elsner, Audubon Zoo ... air@auduboninstitute.org  ATTN: Roby Elsner in subject line.

Ape TAG Education Advisors:

>Connie Kassner, Cameron Park Zoo ... conniek@wacotx.gov

>Sandi Linn, SaveNature.Org ... norm@savenature.org Attn: Sandi Linn in subject line.

>Nadine Kocanjer, Disney's Animal Kingdom ... guest.services@disneyworld.com Attn: Nadine Kocanjer in subject line.

Western Lowland Gorilla SSP Conservation Advisors:

 > Rich Bergl, North Carolina Zoological Park  ... Rich's contact info via web based form:  http://www.nczoo.org/subpages.aspx?pageID=12643&category=About+Us&CID=218&contentPage=true&desc=false&tab=tabs-3&listingID=6345

>Tara Stoinski, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International

(see above contact info)

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Related posts

http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/07/the-crime-of-selling-koko.html

http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/07/could-should-and-would-san-francisco.html

http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/07/ndumes-sister-lives-at-sfzoo-blog.html

http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/07/free-ndume-from-gorilla-foundation.html

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Email from The Gorilla Foundation seeking Legacy donations.  Also contained heart tugging photos of Koko.

Dear ....

I can’t thank you enough for your thoughtful condolences. The many letters and notes I have received have touched my heart. I want you to know that I am working through my grief, and all the stories and kind words about Koko have lifted my spirits and given me a renewed sense of energy and purpose.

I am committed to more interspecies communication with gorillas. It is important to remember that “All Gorillas are Kokos” and know that Koko’s spirit will help guide the way!Now is the time for us to move to a higher level with our work at The Gorilla Foundation. I am so proud of what Koko and our team have accomplished so far. What we can accomplish next is even greater and the time to act is now. I am more determined than ever to ensure that Koko’s legacy continues to change the world.

I envision a future where all great apes live peacefully and safely in sanctuaries and in their natural habitat in Africa — where education embraces empathy and encourages young people to save our planet and all great apes (which include us) through compassion-driven conservation. With Koko as our ambasador, we have done a good job of informing the public, but Koko aimed to reach everybody, and we still have a few billion more people to reach!

Our goal now is to get the message out to the next generation, so young people can learn and do a better job of taking care of Mother Earth than previous generations. Koko can continue to be our ambassador and a guiding "voice of nature" to help us make the right decisions. She would want us to leverage the insights we have gained by communicating with gorillas to further scientific research for the benefit of all great apes.

There is so much more to learn through interspecies communication, and we have 46 years of multimedia data to archive, catalog, share and build upon. Conservation through communication is just in its infancy.

I ask you to turn any sadness or grief you may be feeling into positive action. Help us continue our work and keep Koko’s legacy alive. Please consider making a donation at koko.org.

With love,

Penny