Bonobos at Milwaukee County Zoo

This insert in the AZA (American Zoo and Aquarium Association) national conference booklet, held at the Milwaukee County Zoo, features a young female bonobo named Diedre, who was born in 2003. Diedre, daughter of Kasana (a wild caught animal who transited through several foreign zoos before arriving at the Milwaukee County Zoo) was born underweight.

Although at first, Kosana was not thought to be a competent mother, zoo staff elected to get advice from a lactation consultant to provide an enriched diet to the mother. This served to improve Kosana's milk supply and within weeks, baby Diedre attained a normal size for her age.

The Milwaukee County Zoo is one of the premier bonobo facilities in the world, housing a large and diverse group of animals. The zoo is known for taking on bonobo challenges, such as human reared animals that need extra care to integrate into bonobo society. The animals are managed in "fission/fusion," were the animals are put together in a changing mix and match fashion based on social dynamics.

As well, the zoo supports the SSP (Species Survival Plan) studbook keeper, who manages the breeding of bonobos in AZA facilities. The SSP has a counterpart in Europe, and the two sometimes exchange animals to maximize genetic diversity. The SSP also works on conservation projects in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.