Mother mystery

21april2010
Source: apenheul.nl
DNA tests are sometimes used to determine who the father is. This happens in the world of humans, but sometimes also in the animal world. In the Apenheul such a test has now proven who the biological mother is of a gorilla toddler.
The Apenheul is a zoo that specializes in monkeys. In 2006 a young male was placed in the group. Soon after three gorilla females were pregnant. In October 2007 Mandji (32 years old) is sitting on the island with a child in her arms. After a few days a dead gorilla baby is found and Mandji is bleeding. Although twins are very rare in gorillas, it is assumed that she has given birth to twins. The live baby is called Mapasa, the Lingala word for ‘one of twins’.
The baby of female Kisiwa is also due, but the size of Kisawa’s belly has been reduced and she has started playing again. The caretakers do not get it anymore: Was the dead baby hers? Or is Mapasa her son?
A DNA test has to solve the riddle. But this is not without risk. The caretakers do not want to separate the baby, because its father may unleash his anger about this on the other monkeys. Sedation also has risks. The caretakers decide to wait patiently.
In the meantime Mapasa is two years old and a naughty toddler. While the kid is trying to steal food from a caretaker, the latter literally grabs his chance. He is able to pull a few hairs from Mapasa’s arm. These hairs are tested, together with material from the father and the mother. A surprising outcome: Mapasa’s mother is Kisiwa. This means that Mapasa was adopted by Mandji immediately after he was born.
This is not unusual. In zoos young animals that are not accepted by their mother are sometimes ‘put up for adoption’ to another mother. But until now there has never been a case where the animals arranged this adoption themselves. One thing is yet unknown, however: Was Mapasa given away by his biological mother or was he kidnapped by his adoption mother? This question could not be answered by the DNA test. The truth may lie somewhere in the middle.