Chimpanzee Born at N.C. Zoo
ASHEBORO -- A chimpanzee was born Wednesday afternoon at the North
Carolina Zoological Park.
The 4½-pound female was born around 4:30 p.m., April 15, in the holding quarters of the zoo's outdoor Chimpanzee Exhibit. But keepers decided to remove the infant for hand-rearing just a few hours later when it became clear the mother would not be able to provide proper care.
It was the fifth offspring for the 27-year-old mother chimp, who
has been at the N.C. Zoo since 1980. Keepers had worked intensively with the mother for four months prior to Wednesday's birth to help improve her maternal skills. But she had also been unable to care for her previous newborns.
Another female baby born to the same mother in December 1996 also had to be raised by keepers and a specially trained group of zoo neonatal volunteers.
This will be the fourth time that the N.C. Zoo has hand-raised
young chimpanzees. Except for two still being hand-reared, all those youngsters have been reintroduced into adult troops.
Keepers will continue to work with the mother chimp in hopes of reintroducing the newest offspring to her this summer. But while the newborn appears healthy and success in raising her is also expected, it may be a couple of years before the public has an opportunity to see the little chimp.
Beginning in September, the zoo's entire troop of 14
chimpanzees will be transferred to another zoo while their exhibit undergoes major renovations. That construction, including changes to visitor overlooks and animal holding facilities, is expected to take at least 18 months.
The zoo is an agency of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
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Contact Person: Rod Hackney, 336-879-7204
Date Posted: April 20
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