Chimp raised among children after being rejected at birth hits the big Five O at Hamilton Zoo

Monday, 19 October 2020

A chimpanzee rejected at birth and raised among an Auckland Zoo keeper’s children has hit the big Five O in captivity.

Sally, part of a troop that was transferred to Hamilton from Auckland Zoo in 2004, is out of the public eye at the moment as her enclosure gets a major upgrade.

But zoo regulars will recognise her.

She is often found at the bottom of the public viewing area with a blanket, preferably pink. She also enjoys relating to humans who wander by.

* Hamilton Zoo prepares for first chimpanzee birth

It was, however, a tough start in life for Sally. Her mother rejected her soon after birth and she spent her first years being hand-reared by an Auckland Zoo keeper and his wife.

She was brought her up alongside the couple’s children. Eventually she grew too big and returned to the zoo where she formed a troop with her sister and a few others.

Over the 16 years Sally has been at Hamilton Zoo she has become a firm favourite with her keepers and visitors.

Primate keeper Rowena Fraioli said Sally was “the lovely nana of the group”.

Fraioli said Sally has developed a beautiful relationship with the toddler of the chimp troop, Chiku.

“They are really sweet together. Chiku will give her gentle hugs, they will snuggle up together and groom each other, and Sally will hold Chiku’s hand on equipment so Chiku can guide her,” Fraioli said.

“But she does have a tough, bossy side, and she’ll let the other chimps know if she’s not happy with them about something.”

Life expectancy in the wild for chimpanzees is around 30 to 40 years. In zoos, they can live up to 10 years longer.

But life in the wild for these endangered primates is tough due to habitat destruction, hunting for bushmeat and the illegal pet trade.

Special treats for Sally on her big day would include her favourite food, Weet-Bix.

“We like to make a bit of a fuss on their special day so as well as treats we’ll be making sure there’s decorations and some fun enrichment for her and all the chimps to enjoy,” Fraioli.