The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
Zone 6: Chimpanzee Forest
Zone 6: Chimpanzee Forest
Key Messages and Themes
1. Wilderness: To succeed in conserving wilderness, people must be convinced that the existence of
wilderness benefits us all on many levels – biological, cultural, economic and spiritual – and that a
world without wilderness is neither acceptable nor sustainable. In the African Journey exhibit, we
can deliver intimate moments with magnificent animals amidst naturalistic settings that at least
evoke the different biomes of Africa. Our main objective is to showcase the animals against a
backdrop of distinct biomes.
2. Habitat: The forest habitat represented in the Chimp Forest is home to an enormous variety of
species, including fish, reptiles, and many different mammals, including primates. Each species fills
a particular niche and depends upon this habitat for survival. As in other parts of Africa, water is
essential here for supporting the forest habitat and all of the creatures that live within it.
3. Mixed-species exhibits: Chimp Forest creates a different style of mixed-species exhibit because
the whole building can be seen as one experience. Crocs, fish, turtles, rock hyrax and a variety of
primates provide opportunities for discussions about biodiversity, niches, and habitat. Don’t
forget about the red-ruffed lemurs!
4. Adaptations: A complex of structural, behavioral and/or physiological features of an animal which
help it survive in its natural wild environment. Encourage guests to identify characteristics of Zoo
animals that might help them survive in their unique wild habitats. Examples: the suction cup-like
feet of a rock hyrax that help it to climb steep rock surfaces with great agility; or cheek pouches
that enable monkeys to carry food to a location safely far away from predators; or a chimpanzee’s
unique hand morphology – long hands and fingers with short thumbs – that allows them to use
their hands as “hooks” while climbing, without interference from the thumb.
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The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
Zone 6: Chimpanzee Forest
Key Messages and Themes
5. Enrichment: Animal enrichment occurs when novel or favorite objects or events are added to the
environment. It is an area of animal care management that requires a broad knowledge of
animal behavior, but also specific details about the particular animals involved. The natural
history of a species should be understood as well as the individual behaviors and preferences of
an animal. Providing enrichment to captive animals also takes a great deal of creativity and
innovation. Although it may seem simple, there is actually a lot of thought and consideration
that goes into every attempt.
Reasons for providing animals with enrichment:
 Mental and physical stimulation for the animal
 Behavioral occupation
 Prevent/combat undesirable behaviors
 Educational value for Zoo guests
 It is required by the USDA and the AZA!
Methods of enrichment:
 “Bait” exhibit – enrichment items are strategically placed in the exhibit during the morning
routine before animals are given access to the enclosure. This method allows items to be
more accurately placed and encourages investigative behaviors. Like any enrichment idea it
can become old and routine, but does reward animals shifting between holding areas.
 Training session – causes animals to think and move in ways that they may not otherwise.
 Spontaneous rewards – Timing is essential when providing animals with enrichment items
during the day. Items should not be offered unless the behavior occurring is worthy of
reinforcement.
 Keeper/guest interaction – personal contact and possible feeding allows animals to interact
with people they know well or that they have never met before. Some species desire this
more than others and comfort level and safety must be analyzed.
6. Training: When we say “animal training” at the Zoo, we don’t mean teaching the animals to
perform tricks. We really mean giving keepers and the animals in their care tools to
communicate with each other effectively. When a keeper can train an animal to present a
shoulder or move left or stand still while a particular husbandry or medical procedure is
completed, the care and management of that animal can unfold in a more comprehensive and
less stressful way than ever before possible. Plus, training is a form of enrichment for animals
at the Zoo – it challenges them mentally, which contributes to better quality of life.
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The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
Zone 6: Chimpanzee Forest
7. Conservation Status: The conservation status of species in the Zoo’s collection is determined
by the IUCN (World Conservation Union) Red List of Threatened Species. This list provides
taxonomic, conservation status and distribution information on taxa that have been globally
evaluated using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. This system is designed to determine
the relative risk of extinction, and the main purpose of the IUCN Red List is to catalogue and
highlight those taxa that are facing a higher risk of global extinction (i.e. those listed as
Critically Endangered, Endangered and Vulnerable). The IUCN Red List also includes
information on taxa that are categorized as Extinct or Extinct in the Wild; on taxa that cannot
be evaluated because of insufficient information (i.e. are Data Deficient); and on taxa that are
either close to meeting the threatened thresholds or that would be threatened were it not for
an ongoing taxon-specific conservation program (i.e. are Near Threatened). Taxa that have
been evaluated to have a low risk of extinction are classified as Least Concern.
You can find Maryland Zoo species status listings on signage throughout the Zoo, as well as
within hese Zone Interpretation documents. See the IUCN Red List website for more
information: http://www.iucnredlist.org/
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The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
Zone 6: Chimpanzee Forest
African Cichlid
Natural History
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Characteristics
o Found in three of Africa’s great lakes: Malawi (Nyasa), Tanganyika, and Victoria
o The family contains more species than any other fish family – Lake Malawi has 1,000 different
species
Status: Least concern
Habitat: Varied: weeds, rock, sand, mud, open water, and riverine outlets
Wild Diet: Varied, see Adaptations
Active: N/A
Life Span: N/A
Reproduction/Offspring: Up to 1,000
Length: Varied
Weight: N/A
Social Structure: Schools
Adaptations
o A great diversity of feeding adaptations: they exploit all available sources of food including
phytoplankton, zooplankton, soft bottom deposits, algae on the surface of rocks, algae that grow
upon other submerged plants, higher plants, mollusks, insects and benthic arthropods, fish scales,
fish fins, fishes, and fish eggs, embryos, and larvae
Individual History
 Group of undetermined sex and numbers
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The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
Zone 6: Chimpanzee Forest
East African Black Mud Turtle
Natural History
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Characteristics
o A strong hinge on the plastron is a distinguishing feature of the genus Pelusios.
o Carapaces range in shape from oval to almost round; the carapace itself is not strongly domed.
o Most species of Pelusios are not strongly colored; the carapace usually is some shade of brown or
black, while the plastron ranges from yellow to black.
o Skin color ranges from gray through brown to yellow. While most species are relatively
undistinguishable, some do possess some attractive patterning.
o A side-necked turtle, meaning it folds its head in sideways
o Males have longer, thicker tails and a slightly concave plastron
Status: Lower Risk/least concern
Habitat: Semi-aquatic; marshes, swamps and slow-moving rivers with muddy, soft-bottoms
Wild Diet: Carnivore: insects, worms, snails, small fish, amphibians and crabs. When young, they also
eat aquatic plants like water grasses.
Active: Reportedly nocturnal but known to bask during the day
Life Span: Unknown
Reproduction/Offspring: Unknown
Length: 5-8 inches
Weight: N/A
Social Structure: N/A
Adaptations
o Known to aestivate in underground burrows when the temperatures become too warm or too
cold or conditions become too dry. When conditions return to a suitable level, these turtles reemerge and become active once again.
Conservation issues: Pet trade
Individual History
 8 African mud turtles: 5 females; 3 males
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The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
Zone 6: Chimpanzee Forest
African Crested Porcupine
Natural History
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Characteristics: covered with flat, bristly hairs and have quills and spines on the posterior back and
flanks. The difference between quills and spines is largely one of length and thickness, with spines up
to 50 cm long and quills up to 30 cm long.
Status: Lower risk/least concern
Habitat: Forest, rocky areas, deserts
Diet: Herbivore & Insectivore. Bark, roots, tubers, nuts, fruit, insects, small invertebrates
Active: Nocturnal
Life Span: Captive: 15 yrs; Wild: 12-15 yrs
Reproduction/Offspring: 1-2 per litter
Length: 23-37 in (60-93 cm)
Weight: 22.1-66.1 lbs (10-30 kg)
Social Structure: either solitary or live in small family groups
Adaptations:
o The white and black crest of spines and quills can be erected at will to make the porcupine
look enormous and threatening. Some spines on the tail are hollow and make a rattling sound
when shaken. The very sharp spines and quills come off when touched by a predator or
shaken off, but they grow back rapidly. Contrary to myth, they can not throw their quills, but
they may become dislodged when they shake their hollow rattling quills. Another defensive
behavior is to hide in their holes facing in and erect their spines so that they can not be
dislodged.
o Have acute hearing and will freeze when approached by predators. When cornered, they can
be aggressive, running sideways or backwards to embed their sharp quills in an attacker.
o Strong claws for digging up roots, tubers, and bulbs
Training: Kayin is “target trained” (will place his nose or other body part to a target), trained to enter
his cave and is working on being “station trained,” which means he will remain at an assigned position
as designated by his trainer. Training has helped the porcupine become more active and confident in
his environment.
Individual History
Kayin: male, born 2005
Kali: Female, born 2008
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The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
Zone 6: Chimpanzee Forest
African Slender-Snouted Crocodile
Natural History
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Characteristics
o Small- to medium-sized crocodilian with a narrow, specialized snout
o Protective scales over the back of the neck are present in three or four rows and merge with the
scales on the back, unlike other crocodilians which have two distinct rows of scales
o Coloration: jaw is typically blotched
o A fresh water crocodile
o Mature at 10-15 years
Status: Endangered
Habitat: Rivers with dense over hanging vegetation, lakes
Wild Diet: Carnivore: crabs, fish, frogs. Young may eat insects.
Active: Diurnal
Life Span: Captive: 45-50 yrs; Wild: unknown
Reproduction/Offspring: 13-27 eggs per clutch
Length: 10-13 feet
Weight: 275-500 lb
Social Structure: Generally not found in groups except during breeding season
Adaptations
o Narrow, specialized snout for eating fish and small aquatic invertebrates in shallows
o Eyes and nostrils located on top of head allow croc to sneak up on prey – ambush predators
o Highly adapted for swimming: webbed feet; tuck front legs in and use tail to propel, hind legs
as rudder
Training: Allows keepers get better visual access to the animals. Training behaviors helps reduce stress
during husbandry and medical procedures.
Conservation issues: Species decline due to over-hunting and habitat destruction. Limited information
about the species is available, so status and distribution are poorly known.
Individual History
 Captain Crook: Male, born ~1978
 Tick Tock: Female, born ~1978
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The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
Zone 6: Chimpanzee Forest
Rock Hyrax
Natural History
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Characteristics
o A small, tailless, rodent-like animal with a long body and stout legs
o Although hyraxes superficially resemble rodents, they are more closely related to elephants.
Hyraxes resemble elephants in dentition (the skull has a single pair of long, strong, tusk-like
incisors) and foot structure, and both have testes that do not descend into a scrotum.
o Male hyraxes are slightly larger than females
o Fossil remains indicate there were once hyraxes the size of oxen. This may explain its gestation
period of 7 or 8 months, unusually long for an animal of its size.
Status: Not threatened
Habitat: Wide range but dependent on presence of crevices or rock outcroppings
Wild Diet: Herbivore: shoots, fruit, grasses in the dry season
Active: Diurnal
Life Span: Captive: up to 11 yrs; Wild: up to 8.5 yrs
Reproduction/Offspring: 1-6 young per litter
Length: 17-23 in (44-58 cm)
Weight: 4-12 lb (1.8 -5.4 kg)
Social Structure
o Live in colonies of up to 50 individuals
o Herds are subdivided into smaller flocks consisting of a few families and headed by an adult male.
Adaptations
o Spend most of their time resting in large huddles or basking alone, probably serving to help
regulate body temperature since their body temperature fluctuates with ambient temperature
o Despite their bulk, rock hyraxes move with great agility among rocks
o Able to climb on steep rock surfaces because of physical adaptations on their feet. The soles of
hyrax feet have soft, large pads that are kept moist with sweat-like secretions. The feet function like
suction cups, enabling hyraxes to move about securely
o Hyraxes have long hairs scattered over their bodies. The hairs probably help orient hyraxes in dark
areas and burrows, similar to whiskers
o The hyrax's wide mouth and sharp teeth enable it to take large bites of grass and quickly fill its
stomach. Eating rapidly and spending less time on open grazing land lessens exposure to predators
Individual History
 Roscoe: Male, born 2003
 Palele - Female, born 2007
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The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
Zone 6: Chimpanzee Forest
Red Ruffed Lemur
Natural History
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Characteristics
o Coloration: Coats consist of rusty red fur with a white patch on the back of the neck. Stomach,
tail, forehead and inside of limbs are black.
o One of the largest species of lemur
o The only diurnal primates in the world to keep their infants in a nest
o The only primates to have true litters of offspring
o Play important ecological role as seed dispersers
Status: Endangered
Habitat: Lowland tropical rainforest
Wild Diet: Frugivorous: fruit mostly, sometimes varied with leaves, nectar, seeds
Active: Crepuscular
Life Span: Captive: up to 19 yrs; Wild: unknown
Reproduction/Offspring: Litters of up to six infants (two or three is more typical)
Length: 20-22 in (51-56 cm); females are larger than males
Weight: 7-10 lb (3.2-4.5 kg)
Social Structure:
o Sociable family groups of 2-16 animals
o Females are the driving force in group dynamics and are always dominant to males
o Will form larger groups during the wet season when food is plentiful, and disperse during the
dry season in search of scarcer fruit
Adaptations
o Ruffed lemurs are among the most vocal of the non-human primates. Their raucous, barking
vocalizations might serve several purposes: they allow distant members of the same group to
maintain contact with each other even when they are foraging separately, they warn would-be
competitors of territory already occupied, and they might also serve to alert other group
members of the presence of an aerial or ground predator. Natural predators that can trigger
alarms in Madagascar include boa constrictors, eagles and hawks, and the fossa (a weasel-like
animal found only on Madagascar)
o Excellent sense of smell - use scent marking to communicate
o In the wild ruffed lemurs seldom descend to the ground, preferring to spend their time in the
top layers of the canopy. Their movement through the trees is often spectacular. They will hurl
themselves from one tree to another, landing at a lower level of a neighboring tree in a
spectacular crash of vegetation. During feeding, the ruffed lemurs will dangle from the delicate
terminal branches of a tree, with only their feet grasping the most slender of branches, in
order to grab a hard-to-reach food item, or to engage in play wrestling or mutual grooming
with another animal
Training: Allows keepers get better visual access to the animals. Training behaviors helps reduce stress
during husbandry and medical procedures. Lemurs are trained to enter their crates and to get
weighed.
(more)
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The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
Zone 6: Chimpanzee Forest
Red Ruffed Lemur contd.
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Enrichment: Novel objects are introduced to the exhibit to give the animals choices, to help stimulate
them physically and mentally, and to help encourage natural, species-typical behaviors.
Conservation issues: Impacted by deforestation and hunting. Highly specialized and localized restricted to the forests of the Masoala Peninsula near Maroantsetra in northeastern Madagascar.
Populations estimated at 1,000-10,000. The wide range in this number is an indication of this issue.
Individual History
 Alara: Female, born 1990
 Carme: Female, born 1990
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The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
Zone 6: Chimpanzee Forest
Coquerel's Sifaka
Natural History
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Characteristics
o Delicate leaf-eaters from the dry northwestern forests of Madagascar
o The Malagasy name “sifaka” comes from the distinct call this animal makes: "shif-auk"
Status: Endangered
Habitat: Dry deciduous and semi-evergreen forests
Wild Diet: Herbivore: leaves, buds, bark in dry season and flowers, fruit, leaves in wet season
Active: Diurnal
Life Span: Captive: 18 yrs; Wild: Unknown
Reproduction/Offspring: Single young per birth
Length: 9-22 in (70-100 cm)
Weight: 8-13 lbs (4-6 kg) [7-10 lbs]
Social Structure:
o Live in sociable family groups of 3-10 individuals; age and sex composition of the groups vary widely.
o Females are dominant to males, which gives them preferential access to food and the choice of with
whom to mate
o Grooming is important behavior for maintaining social structure
Adaptations
o Sifaka are distinguished from other lemurs by their mode of locomotion: these animals maintain a
distinctly vertical posture and leap through the trees using just the strength of their back legs. Their
spectacular method of locomotion is known as vertical clinging and leaping and their long, powerful
legs can easily propel them distances of over 20 feet from tree to tree.
Training: Allows keepers get better visual access to the animals. Training behaviors helps reduce stress
during husbandry and medical procedures. Keepers are working on crate training.
Enrichment: Novel objects are introduced to the exhibit to give the animals choices, to help stimulate them
physically and mentally, and to help encourage natural, species-typical behaviors.
Conservation issues: Impacted by habitat destruction
Individual History
 Anastasia: Female, born 2004
 Gratian: Male, born 2002
 Otto: Male, born February 11, 2011
 Nero: Male, born November 12, 2011
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The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
Zone 6: Chimpanzee Forest
Black & White Colobus Monkey
Natural History
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Characteristics
o Colobus monkeys have slender bodies with a long tail and distinctly black and white coloration
o The face is gray and has no fur. The coat is glossy black, and the face and callosities are
surrounded by white. A U-shaped white mantle of varying length is found on the sides. The
outside of the thigh is variably whitish, and the tail is either a whitish or yellowish color from tip
to base. There is also a large white tuft at the end of the tail.
o Have only four digits on each hand; the thumb is absent or represented by a small phalangeal
tubercle that sometimes bears a nail (see Adaptations)
o Slightly sexually dimorphic (males weigh more)
Status: Declining
Habitat: Forest, woodlands, wooded grasslands, evergreen thickets
Wild Diet: Herbivore: mostly leaves, some fruit
Active: Diurnal
Life Span: Captive: 23-29 yrs; Wild: 20 yrs
Reproduction/Offspring: Single young per birth
Length: 17.7-28.3 in (45-72 cm)
Weight: 11-31 lbs (4-14 kg)
Social Structure:
o A colobus troop is a cohesive group, typically composed of a single adult male, three to four
adult females, sub-adults, a juvenile and an infant. The size of the troop ranges from 3-15.
o Multi-male troops have been observed as well as bachelor groups of males, but both of these
groupings are believed to be temporary.
o Troops are highly social, and mutual handling of infants by members other that the mother is
believed to maintain the cohesiveness of the group
Adaptations
o A unique, two-compartment stomach to aid in the digestion of plant material
o The loss of the thumb may be an adaptation for quick movements through the trees
o Long-range communication is accomplished visually and vocally, primarily by the males jumping
up and down in the trees, accompanied by a contagious roaring
o Spend most of their time sitting in the tops of trees, taking turns sleeping at night so that at least
one individual is awake at all times to watch for predators
o Displays of the white fringe fur flapping up and down serve as warning to other monkeys
Training: Allows keepers get better visual access to the animals. Training behaviors helps reduce stress
during husbandry and medical procedures.
Enrichment: Novel objects are introduced to the exhibit to give the animals choices, to help stimulate
them physically and mentally, and to help encourage natural, species-typical behaviors.
Conservation issues: Impacted by human encroachment, hunting and habitat destruction
Individual History
 Bisi: Male, born 1992
 Hera: Female, born 1991
 Keri: Female, born 1997
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The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
Zone 6: Chimpanzee Forest
Red-tailed Guenon
Natural History
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Characteristics
o A relatively small primate
o Adults have recognizable markings: a black face, bluish skin around the eyes, a white spot on the nose,
and white cheek fur. The name “red-tail” comes from the chestnut-colored fur on the underside of the
tail. The rest of the body is covered with a speckled brown coat and gray or black limbs, depending on
the subspecies.
o Exhibits some sexual dimorphism in weight and body length: males are larger
o Arboreal, quite agile and active
o Communication in this species is complex, and includes chemical, visual, auditory, and tactile
components. Signals are commonly used to warn of potential predators or unwanted intruders or
between members of a group.
 Status: Lower risk/least concern
 Habitat: Primary lowland rainforest, swamp forest, secondary forest, riverine, forest, and dryer woodland
 Wild Diet: Frugivore; also, leaves and flowers, insect prey
 Active: Diurnal
 Life Span: Captive: 22 yrs Wild: unknown
 Reproduction/Offspring: Single young per birth
 Length: 12.6-25.2 in (32-64 cm)
 Weight: 6.6-9.2 lb (3-4.17 kg)
 Social Structure: Tend to be found in medium-sized groups of 11 to 14 individuals containing one male and
a matrilineal group of females
 Adaptations
o It is common for adults to store fruit in their large cheek pouches in order to take their meal to an area
free from the threat of theft by other monkeys
 Training: Allows keepers get better visual access to the animals. Training behaviors helps reduce stress
during husbandry and medical procedures.
 Enrichment: Novel objects are introduced to the exhibit to give the animals choices, to help stimulate them
physically and mentally, and to help encourage natural, species-typical behaviors.
 Conservation issues: Populations are currently healthy, but species faces threat of habitat destruction
Individual History
 Bindhi: Female, born 1986
 Sporty: Male, born 1990
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The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
Zone 6: Chimpanzee Forest
Why do we educate about Chimpanzees?
Otherwise, what are the pitfalls for interpretation?
Having troop, makes it easier to talk about chimps as wild animals and in the context of habitat and
conservation issues.
Answer the question from the guest directly and succinctly. Let them ask you more questions about the topic,
rather than telling them everything you know on the topic. This is particularly true with animal care topics. By
letting the guest lead this conversation you may not head down the slippery slope of care. The strategy is that
the guest may be satisfied with the first answer and there is no reason to continue, remember, “less is more.”
Here are a few topics to get comfortable with:
a. Chimp reproduction, male and female biology and anatomy and get comfortable using words like
penis, sexual swelling, or masturbation.
b.
Social structure: just get the basics on this, because not everyone knows much about chimps. Be
prepared to keep it simple. Why is chimp social structure so important?
c. Behaviors and development: babies and growing up; intelligence and learning; tool use – again,
another opportunity to talk about the natural history of this amazing animal.
d. Habitat: how and why animals depend upon it for survival
e.
Behind-the Scenes Information – how to manage it
f.
Conservation issues – chimps as pets and chimps in the entertainment industry, bushmeat. (What do
we do with research?)
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The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
Zone 6: Chimpanzee Forest
Chimpanzee
Natural History
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Characteristics
o Chimps have several characteristics that classify them as apes: they do not have a tail, are generally
larger than most primates, have longer arms than legs, and can rotate their arms at the shoulder 360
degrees, allowing for brachiation.
o The face of adults is typically black, or mottled with brown.
o Hair is black to brown, and there is no underfur present. There may be some white hairs around the
face (looking a bit like a white beard in some individuals).
o Infant chimpanzees have a white tuft of hair on their rumps, which identifies their age quite clearly.
This white tail tuft is lost as the infant ages.
o Opposable thumbs and big toes
o Quadrupedal; occasionally bipedal
o The arms are long, such that the spread of the arms is 1.5 times the height of an individual. Legs are
shorter than are the arms, allowing these animals to walk on all fours (see knuckle walking below)
with the anterior portion of the body higher than the posterior. Body posture is more upright.
o Males are slightly larger than females
o Have prominent ears
o Females have an estrus cycle which lasts approximately 36 days. During the course of this cycle, as
her hormone levels change, a female experiences changes in the size, shape, and color of her genital
skin. As hormones increase, the size of the swelling (called tumescence) increases and the skin
typically turns bright pink. It is during this time that females are sexually receptive and the bulk of
mating occurs. Sexual swelling serves as a signal, visible to males from a great distance, that a female
is sexually receptive.
o In general, chimps can be classified into age categories that represent developmental stages. Until
the age of 5 years, chimpanzees are infants. From 5 to 7 years of age, chimpanzees are called
juveniles. From 7 to 10 years of age, females are called adolescents. Similarly aged males, from 7 to
12 years are also called adolescents. Females aged 10 to 13 years are considered subadults, as are
males aged 12 to 15 years. Females are considered fully adult around the age of 13 years, whereas
males reach maturity later, around 15 years
Status: Endangered
Habitat: Tropical rain forests, forest-savanna
Wild Diet: Omnivore: leaves, fruits, nuts, insects, eggs, meat
Active: Diurnal
Life Span: Captive: up to 60 yrs; Wild: up to 50 yrs
Reproduction/Offspring: Single young; occasionally twins
Length: 2-4 ft (70-100 cm)
Weight: 100-185 lb (45-84 kg)
Social Structure
o Chimps are highly social and form very complex relationships within a community
o Fission-fusion social groups: Large community of individuals with smaller sub-groups
o Relationships between males are highly dependent upon the dominance hierarchy. The hierarchy is
mostly linear, with one top-ranking, or alpha, male.
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The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
Zone 6: Chimpanzee Forest
Chimpanzee contd.
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Strong parental investment: One birth every five years; mother-infant bonding for first six months –
requires constant contact. Difficult to build population recovery
Behaviors
o Males often use displays as a means of intimidation, so that actual attacks are not necessary to
maintain social order
o Fighting and violence is a necessary part of social hierarchy. Chimps will overthrow others for
dominance, to defend themselves or to protect cohorts from other individuals. It is a basic survival
tactic to protect the genetic line.
o Both males and females are known to mate with multiple partners; at times a male may control
sexual access to a female, preventing other males from mating with her
o Copulation may help to develop bonds between males and females. It may function in establishing
and maintaining group unity
o Masturbation is common – get used to it!
o An important activity in chimpanzee societies is social grooming. Grooming has many different
functions. In addition to helping remove ticks, dirt, and flakes of dead skin from the hair, social
grooming helps to establish and maintain social bonds. It provides chimps with an opportunity for
extended, relaxing, friendly social contact. It is often performed in contexts in which it alleviates
tension.
o Play is another common behavior that may be important to the development of social bonds and
friendly relationships between individuals and these relationships may last for life.
o Chimpanzees exhibit complex patterns of behavior, many of which are learned. Chimpanzees acquire
information as a result of experience, and that experience modifies subsequent behavior. They are
able to solve problems and make and use tools. They often use twigs, sticks, or stems that they have
modified as tools with which to fish for insects. Rocks or sticks are used in some populations as
hammers to open hard-shelled nuts. Sticks and branches may be used as clubs or projectiles.
o Chimpanzees communicate with a wide variety of gestures, postures, and facial expressions. In
addition, body language, physical contact and vocalizations are used in communication.
Adaptations
o Chimpanzees have very long hands and fingers, with short thumbs. This hand morphology allows
chimpanzees to use their hands as “hooks” while climbing, without interference from the thumb. In
trees, chimpanzees may move by swinging from their arms, in a form of brachiation.
o Chimps are knuckle walkers, using their long hands in quadrupedal locomotion. Fingertips are
typically curled upward into the palm during locomotion, and the weight is borne along backs of the
fingers.
Training: Chimps are trained to show different body parts so that keepers can do visual inspections; it
allows keepers get better visual access to the animals. Training behaviors helps reduce stress during
husbandry and medical procedures. Station training helps the group become comfortable with one
another during cooperative feeds and training sessions.
Enrichment: Novel objects are introduced to the exhibit to give the animals choices, to help stimulate
them physically and mentally, and to help encourage natural, species-typical behaviors.
(more)
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The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
Zone 6: Chimpanzee Forest
Chimpanzee contd.
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Apes as pets and in the entertainment industry
o Message: Chimps do NOT make good pets and should not be used in the entertainment industry
o Link to biology: Chimps are pulled from their mothers at young age, so they bond with humans. By 6
years old, they are becoming independent and are no longer easy to live
or work with, and can become aggressive and destructive.
o Isolated chimps cannot be integrated into chimp groups – adults end up at rescue centers and are
typically behaviorally challenged
o Chimps need to be well adjusted so they can move around among AZA institutions, breed and carry
on genetic lines
o Tie into biological story about chimp violence/aggression – a normal part of chimp behavior
“Don’t you feel bad for chimps in captivity?”
o The Zoo’s chimps are in a natural social group – collection managers work with the SSP to make sure
animals are placed where they are comfortable
o Natural needs are met, including positive interactions with staff, not hunted, good medical care,
intellectual stimulation
o Chimps display natural behaviors
o Ambassadors for their wild counterparts
Care bond with animal care staff
o Animal care staff have a strong sense of responsibility and admiration for the animals in their care
o May look similar to how you feel about your child or a pet, but is very different. End goal is proper
care and husbandry of animals, a healthy, well-adjusted population, and potential for integration into
another troop.
Conservation issues: Impacted by human encroachment and habitat destruction; bushmeat trade.
o Bushmeat issue is complex: need to consider subsistent vs. commercial bushmeat – important
message for public is about bushmeat trade
o What can our guests do about the bushmeat crisis? Support legislation on monitoring importation of
bushmeat (port access in Baltimore, for example). Learn more – educate yourself and others.
o What does the Zoo do? We support rangers on the ground who patrol hunting areas.
o Conservation is about people and politics, and not as much about the animals.
Individual History
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Joice: Female, born 1972
Carole: Female, born 1988
Bunny: Female, born 1990
Renee: Female, born 1992
Raven: Female, born 1995
Kasoje: Male, born 1998
Rozi: Female, born 2005
Asali: Female, born 2005
Jambo: Female, born 2006
Jack: Male, born ~1999
Louie: Male, born ~1995
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The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
Zone 6: Chimpanzee Forest
***Please remember to avoid discussing internal-only information and use only approved reliable
content sources. Be careful what you read on the internet!
Resources:
 African Journey: An Interpretation Guide by S. Evans & K. Foat
 Maryland Zoo Animal Inventories (Animal Department)
 Training information provided by Maryland Zoo Animal Department staff
 Animal Diversity Web: www.animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/index.html
 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: www.iucnredlist.org/
 Chimp SSP: www.lpzoo.org/chimp-ssp
 Ape TAG: www.apetag.org
 Primate Info Net (University of Wisconsin): pin.primate.wisc.edu
 Jane Goodall Institute: www.janegoodall.org
 Great Ape Trust: www.greatapetrust.org
 Duke Lemur Center: lemur.duke.edu
 Bushmeat Crisis Task Force: www.bushmeat.org
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