Chimpanzees, with their nimble fingers and quick minds, have been taught to use sign language and have the ability to use simple tools.
    Unfortunately, these intelligent creatures are listed as an endangered species and often have low reproductive rates in captivity, according to the Sunset Zoological Park’s Web site.
    However, the Sunset Zoo recently celebrated the successful delivery of the first chimp born at Sunset Zoo in 11 years. The chimp was one month old last Friday and born to Hazina, one of three female chimps at the zoo.
    During Zooelection ‘08, visitors to the zoo will be able to vote on four names for the baby chimp, beginning during Sunset Zoo’s SPOOKtacular event this weekend, Oct. 25-26 and ending Nov. 9.
    “SPOOKtacular is an opportunity for people to get out, have fun, get to see the zoo in a different light and hang out with the animals,” said Allie Lousch, zoo marketing and development director.
    Zoo visitors can vote on the names Dede, which means “grasshopper”; Nia, “brightness”; Zola, “tranquil”; or Kumari, “one living goddess;” by placing their donation in the name’s corresponding box.
    Lousch said the names are of African origin.
    “We really try to give names that are dignifying and evoke a sense of place,” she said.
    The name with the highest donation total will be given to the chimp and proceeds will be used for chimpanzee enrichment and conservation, according to the zoo Web site.
    Regan Slonecker, a keeper who helps care for the chimps, said enrichment is important because it keeps the chimps stimulated.
    “With them being so intelligent, they need something to keep them busy,” she said, adding that enrichment money might be used to buy puzzles or special food. “Male chimps also like items to throw around in their displays,” she said, “to impress the girls.”
    There are 250 animals in the chimpanzee Species Survival Plan program formed in 1989. Chimps in North American zoos are mainly captive-bred, which the zoo Web site said can hinder the chimp breeding program’s success. Captive-bred females raised by humans have a lower reproduction rate than those raised by their mothers.
    Sunset Zoo Director Scott Shoemaker said hand-raising animals can cause problems in any species, but if an animal is very intelligent, “it makes it that much harder.”
    Zoo staff was ready to pull the baby chimp from his mother as a last resort, but Shoemaker said the mother did fine and is taking great care of her baby.
    Baby chimps ride on their mother’s back until they are weaned, usually around when they are age 3. However, they typically do not leave their mothers until they are around 10 years old. Chimpanzees can live for 45-60 years.
    Shoemaker said other females in the troop will learn how to care for baby chimps by watching Hazina.
    “They’re very social animals,” he said. “All the females get involved in rearing a baby.”

Comments

3 comments

Billy

Mon May 18 2009 15:16

I am glad you are using African names....

Nicole

Tue Feb 10 2009 17:19

Awesome!!!

emily

Sat Jan 17 2009 12:05

cool!

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