A few days after the birth of a female gorilla puppy – who for now does not yet have a name – at the Zoosafari of Fasano a male gorilla puppy came to light. This is the first birth of the young mother Tonka, daughter of Tamani, the mother of the girl who is inspired by the little girl to take care of the baby.
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A life in captivity is not life
As mentioned, it is the second birth of Gorilla in Italy in less than a month after almost fifty years. Yet, although the news is presented as exceptional and a great victory for the conservation of the species, the context remains problematic: these animals will live all their life in captivity, far from the African forest and the natural behaviors of their social group.
In nature, Gorillas travel kilometers a day, live in numerous groups and develop complex social and ethological behaviors. In captivity, even in the best zoo, freedom of movement and natural interactions are inevitably limited.
The Fasano event, despite being a scientific goal, highlights how much the survival of the species depends today on human control and programmed reproduction programs, rather than the ability of the nature of protecting itself.
If on the one hand the birth of little Gorilla represents hope for biodiversity, on the other it is impossible to ignore the renunciation of freedom. The puppy will never know the forest, his movements will be limited and his life will depend on constant human interventions. Perhaps the joy for birth should not obscure reality: conservation in captivity is necessary, but it is also a warning on the fragility of species and on human dependence for their survival.
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