University Daily Kansan / Wednesday, January 16, 1991
9B
Zoologist is family therapist for gorillas in National Zoo
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Lisa Stevens is the kind of family therapist who stands back and lets her patients settle their squabbles alone. Her clients, after all, are the gorillas at the National Zoo.
Stevens oversees the zoo's primate population of monkeys and apes (68 in all), a job that includes the delicate mission of blending six unrelated gorillas into a healthy, happy family that will produce offspring.
Although gorillas are intelligent, rather shy and sociable creatures, they remain untamed in captivity, with a potential for violence that is magnified by their great size and strength.
It's not an easy task. All but one, Tokoma, the dominant, 395-pound male, were brought together from different backgrounds that they had become friends or enemies.
Stevens, a blue-jeaned, 35-year-old zoologist, is wise in the ways of gorillas. She keeps a discreet distance during their marital tiffs.
"I try to interfere as little as possible," she said, tapping the shatter-proof glass window in the zoo's Great Ape House to attract the attention of their friends. "They resolve their own differences, just as they do in the wild."
At times, the spectacle of a family spat among the gorillas can be frightening.
"When they are fighting over food or a sneak attack by another gorilla, there's a lot of screaming, hair-pulling and scratching." Stevens said
"People get worried and say, 'My God, they're going to kill each other',"
'I try to interfere as little as possible. They resolve their own differences, just as they do in the wild.'
Zoologist
Lisa Stevens Zoologist
but they very rarely injure injuries on each other. They do raise a lot of commotion, and it's very impressive to us humans."
Despite occasional brouhahas, she said, thezoe's three males and three females are getting along nicely. So in fact, in say, that Mandara, an 8-year-old female on loan from the Milwaukee Zoo, has given pregnant, thanks to Augustus, a 9-year-old male from the Bronx Zoo.
This mating triumph, defyly arranged by Stevens, was set into motion by a national committee of zoo officials that serves, in effect, as service for gorillas and other orangutaged species in U.S. contivity
Stevens is excited at the prospect of seeing the first gorilla birth at the National Zoo in 18 years, if all goes well
Gorillas are transferred constantly here and there in a coordinated matchmaking system aimed at helping the most compatible family units.
"Our goal is to enhance our breeding program." Stevens said.
She said her primary role was to be "concerned, caring and intulative" as she unobtrusively watched her gorillas' pairings and liaisons.
"We let the animals do what animals do naturally," she said. "Our goal is to let animals do what their genetic makeup tells them to do."
Stevens breaks up fights only if serious injuries are threatened, usually by separating the combatants for a while. She monitors the gorillas' diets closely so they will not become overweight. Mostly, she tries to invent exciting new diversions to keep them happy.
"Zoo life is boring," she said. "There are no predators. They don't have to forage for food, which occupies most of their time in the wild. And they don't have to compete for a mate. Their mates are lying right there beside them."
Snacks and toys are hidden in the gorillas' hay or tucked in tree limbs for them to find. Their keepers challenge them to extract seed-laden peanut butter from inside plastic tubes. Bamboo branches are 'fun to touch.' They can also be used to towels or grocery bags, which provide extra fiber for digestion.
Stevens has built a bond of trust and friendship with Mesou, Haloko, Kuja and the other gorillas.
"I guess it's because I show that it isn't intimidated by, nor do I fear or dislike them. I make pleasant, rumbling sounds when I'm around them, and I lower my voice. I don't stare or lunge at them, or try to boss them around. I call them by name. I scratch their bellies through the mesh fence. I make calm, easy movements.
Her secret?
"They like you to be quiet and submissive."
SAVE OUR EARTH!!! RECYCLE!!!
Have an opinion?
Write 111 Stauffer-Flint Hall
Let's Go Thrifting - It's Fun!
- Full line of clothing - household items
- Appliances - furniture - odds & ends
- Furnish your new apartment
Salvation Army Thrift Store 1818 Massachusetts, Lawrence Open 10-9 Mon.-Sat. Drop by and see.
Save a , Recycle in front of Wescoe
If returning to school has got you down, focus groups are now forming to address:
Resources and Information Access
Child Care
Activities and Social Support Network
Non-traditional Student Lobbying
Call us at 864-7317 or come by
400 Kansas Union (4th Floor)
Don't Drink & Drive
University Of Kansas Funded by Student Senate
The Ecumenical Fellowship
Proudly Presents
The 6th Annual King Holiday Celebration
"Let Freedom Ring Now"
Featuring:
The Reverend Wallace S. Hartsfield Kansas City, Missouri Saturday, January 19, 1991 Ballroom, Kansas Memorial Union University of Kansas
Dinner, 6:30 p.m. Lecture, 8:00 p.m
Tickets:Dinner & Lecture $20.00 [K.U.students with I.D. & children 5-12 $10]
Lecture only $10.00 [K-12 students and K.U.students with I.D.free]
- Sunday, January 20th Gospel musical
Featuring local and state gospel groups
6:30 p.m. at St. Luke A.M.E. Church, 900 New York Street
Admission Free
- Monday, January 21st King Day Commemorative Service
Featuring reverend Fredrick Sampson of Detroit, Michigan Noon at the 9th st. Missionary Baptist Church 9th & Ohio
Purchase tickets at K.U. Office of Minority Affairs, Cross Reference Book Store, SUA Box Office or call the reverend William Dulin at 843-8913 or the Reverend Leo Barbee at 749-0835.
Event Sponsors: K.U. Student Senate, Office of Minority Affairs, Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor, City of Lawrence and Douglas County
When you have Call Return from Southwestern Bell Telephone, that's exactly what your phone does with calls that would otherwise be lost—it gets them back for you.
Say you can't answer the phone before it stops ringing. Don't worry. Just hit *69 on your touchpad and your phone dials the number of your last incoming call.
In a flash, Call Return retrieves calls that would've vanished into thin air.
Subscribe to Call Return for only $4 a month. When you do, you can subscribe to another of Southwestern Bell Telephone's convenient calling options—Priority Call—for just $1. Contact your Southwestern Bell Telephone business office for details.
Call Return. Get it and get back those calls.
* 6 9
Call Return
Southwestern Bell Telephone
The one to call on.
Installation free for a limited time. Not available in all areas or to party-line customers. Some telephones may not be compatible with some calling options