Lorel and Lucy Kissing

Lorel playing with Lucy

Lexi grooming Lucy

Lorel grooming Lexi

Today is Lorel’s birthday! At 39 years-old, Lorel is an amazing bonobo mama and the mama-star of I’m Lucy: A Day in the Life of a Young Bonobo!

Lorel is the mom of SEVEN children.

Kanzi (10/28/80)
Mabruki (10/23/83)
Brian (01/08/89)
Lisalla (9/24/92)
Lily (12/26/97)
Lexi (12/26/99)
LUCY (12/01/03)

Our fabulous photographer, Marian Brickner, has spent many hours watching and photographing Lorel, Lucy, Lexi and Lily at the Jacksonville Zoo in Florida. So we asked her to tell us all about Lorel, and here’s what she had to say:

“Lorel is a great mom. She is patient and gentle with her children and has a sweet smile. Lorel lets Lucy climb and sit on her, using her as a chair, but she doesn’t allow Lucy to JUMP on her. Lorel grooms her children very carefully and gives each one attention.”

Marian is working on a new bonobo book that will trace the incredible family tree of the bonobos living in the U.S. - we can’t wait to see it! In the meantime, she shared a bit more information about Lorel’s family:

“Lorel is the second daughter of Linda, the Matriarch of the U.S. bonobos. Lorel has an older sister who lives in Milwaukee and a younger sister, Louise, who lives in Cincinnati. Her brother, Kevin, lives in Fort Worth, her two sisters Lana and Loretta live in San Diego and Kakowet Jr. lives in Twycross (far away).”

Thank you, Marian, for all of this great information and for your AMAZING photographs!!!

all photos by marian brickner

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