Announcing the birth of a baby bonobo – Upendi. The first to be born in the UK since 2019

Twycross Zoo has announced the arrival of a new baby bonobo, the first to be born in the UK since 2019. Announced ahead of World Bonobo Day (14 February), the new baby is a hugely exciting arrival for Twycross Zoo, the only zoo in the UK to house all four great ape species, including the endangered bonobo.

Born to Cheka (age 25) the baby has been named Upendi, inspired by a love song from The Lion King II, and ‘Upendo’ which means love in Swahili.

Twycross Zoo’s in-house veterinary team discovered that Cheka was pregnant during a regular health check, performed when Cheka and the zoo’s family of bonobos moved into an expansive new enclosure in September 2021. Since then, she has been closely monitored by the ape and veterinary team.

The new habitat provided the 13-strong group with more space, as well as improved lighting and heating. It also offers the bonobos more climbing structures for their ongoing enrichment, plus two outdoor areas to explore.

Dr Rebecca Biddle, Head of Life Sciences at Twycross Zoo said:

“The arrival of our new baby bonobo is an amazing achievement for the zoo. As a conservation charity acting to preserve the future of these incredible animals, the new baby is a significant boost for the European population of this endangered species.
Twycross Zoo is home to 10 percent of the entire European population of bonobos so it’s vital that we work closely with other EAZA zoos to ensure that this population is sustainable for the long term. All of the great apes are very different, however bonobos are female-led and known for their caring and affectionate nature. As a group they are always quick to make up with one another and their nurturing behaviour sees them holding hands and hugging, which is why World Bonobo Day also falls on Valentine’s Day.
We can’t wait for everyone to see our beautiful new baby this half term at Twycross Zoo, when visitors can bring their little ones to meet our new arrival. All of our visitors play a vital role in enabling us to continue our conservation work, helping us to build a future for all of our animals.”

Twycross Zoo is working at the forefront of conservation and making a global impact for endangered species around the world, from the very heart of the UK. It works with partner organisations across the globe such as Friends of Bonobos in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Through the Conservation Welfare fund, Twycross Zoo contributes to the daily running of Lola ya Bonobo, the organisation’s sanctuary for more than 70 orphaned bonobos. Twycross also supports Friends of Bonobos’ 120,000-acre protected reserve where they have successfully rewilded more than two dozen bonobos so far.

Fanny Minesi, General Director of Friends of Bonobos of the Congo, comments: “Bonobos are under increasing threat due to habitat loss and the illegal bushmeat trade, with as few as 10,000 left in the wild. They are our closest living relatives in the animal world, and much about them is still unknown. It’s imperative that we work together to protect them and their rainforest habitat. We’re grateful to Twycross Zoo for their long-standing support of this urgent mission.”

Twycross Zoo’s bonobos are part of The European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) Ex Situ Programme (EEP), which scientifically manages bonobos in EAZA Member zoos to ensure a genetically and demographically healthy population. This involves making recommendations about breeding and transfers of animals to keep the population healthy.

Jeroen Stevens, Bonobo EEP Coordinator said: “The birth of this bonobo is reason to celebrate because they are an endangered species. The world is continuing to experience rapid losses of species and habitats. Bonobo populations are undergoing significant declines due to habitat loss and hunting and are becoming increasingly small and fragmented. That is why the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria work with zoos across the continent, like Twycross Zoo, to support the management of populations in zoos alongside other conservation actions in Africa to ensure the bonobos’ long-term persistence.”