The Johannesburg Zoo’s chimpanzees are definitely a must-see attraction during the festive season. They are a family of 10 who match human DNA by 98.7%. ​The oldest chimp is almost 40 years old and the youngest five months old.Thabo is the eldest and Bille is the baby of the bunch. Young Jozi is the charismatic, loves to play and entertain children and visitors, jumping around and showing off his acrobatic skills, leaving visitors in awe of his athleticism.

Research has shown that primates, in this case chimpanzees, are our closest relatives. Katherine Stanton, the curator of primates at the Johannesburg Zoo, says chimps can do almost everything humans can.

“They are our closest relatives.

They share about 98.7% DNA with humans and we want people to get to know and understand chimps.”

Stanton says a female chimp will have a baby every five years.

The first year they spend in front of the mother holding on and from then they start moving off but still riding on her back for two to three more years.

For humans, the process is similar. A human baby spends most of its time in the mother’s care.

The development of a human baby also occurs in stages and is a gradual process.

“Chimps have very slow development. They are intelligent and the brain takes time to develop, very similar to humans especially babies, which is quite a slow process.

The babies are also born really small because the mothers have to carry them around for such a long time. Much like humans, baby chimps also have growth spurts during development.”

Stanton says chimps are nurturing. The whole group helps look after the baby much like a human family. However, the mother won’t let them take the baby from her, but siblings and other members will be allowed closer as the baby gets older.

Bille, the youngest of the 10, is still with the mom all of the time.

“When mom is sitting, Bille is waving her arms around but still very reliant on mother’s milk at this stage. It will still be a couple of months until the chimp starts moving away from mom but within half a metre to exercise. Mom also won’t let baby out of her sight,” says Stanton.

Chimps have really complex social structures and family relations, again something closely shared with humankind. Chimps also have aunts, uncles, moms and dads, which they remain connected to if they live together.

“Chimps are the first animals recognised to use and make tools like sticks to get termites and rocks to break open nuts. They can live to a very old age. In captivity they can live to about 80 years old. In the wild they have sadly become an endangered species,” says Stanton.

There is a decline in the number of these intelligent and highly social primates, chimpanzees globally face threats namely, the degradation of forests for timber, mining, farming and land developments.

Habitat loss, bush meat hunting and disease also contribute to their already dwindling numbers. Where some chimps survive, habitats are often small and far apart, leaving populations isolated.

“Chimps are not found in South Africa. They are found in tropical rain forest areas throughout Africa but we can help support conservation. We have a very good relationship with the Jane Goodall Institute South Africa, a registered non-profit organisation, caring for and rescuing traumatised chimps who are in desperate need of refuge,” says Stanton.

The Joburg Zoo has had a relationship with the Nelspruit-based institute for years and one of the chimps at the zoo is from the Goodall Institute.

Chimps are omnivorous so they are mostly fed fruit and vegetables, which is what they predominantly eat in the wild and for protein the zoo does sometimes supplement with eggs.

“We also give them what we call baboon cubes, which is formulated with all the right amount of protein in it.

They receive a daily porridge, which is called monkey chow, which again has all the right nutrients and proteins for them as part of a supplement,” she explains.

“We give them quite a bit of browns when we can that is natural roughage that is really good for the chimps and then for enrichment purposes we give them peanuts and sunflower seeds and dried fruits.

They can pretty much eat everything as long as it’s healthy,” adds Stanton.

Chimps are a definite must-see at the zoo. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet chimps that have different personalities, who are always busy and will definitely give patrons the attention they need.

“They always busy and up to something and it’s absolutely amazing to see them live out their lives. There aren’t many people who have seen them and left their enclosure bored,” she highlights.

Written by Sascha-Lee Joseph

24/11/2022