Hamilton Zoo prepares for first chimpanzee birth

Thursday, 28 January 2016

The scene could scarcely have been more romantic - a smitten couple perched high above the ground, sharing a bucket-sized iceblock.

Hamilton Zoo chimpanzees Sanda and Luka looked every inch the happy - and expectant - couple as they picked apart the frozen treat under a blazing midday sun.

Sanda, aged 30, is expected to give birth mid-February after years of careful planning by zoo staff.

A human pregnancy kit was used to confirm Sanda's pregnancy.

Zoo director Stephen Standley said Sanda was 'quite old' to be pregnant, but ultrasound results indicate the baby is developing well.

Staff had trained Sanda to present her stomach against a mesh barrier, allowing staff to carry out the ultrasound scan.

Sanda had a failed pregnancy about 22 years ago while at Adelaide Zoo.

'We've been trying to breed chimps ever since they arrived in 2004 … and Sanda was our prime hope for breeding,' Standley said.

Chimpanzees are a threatened species and some subspecies are considered critically endangered.

Sanda comes from an under-represented bloodline.

The baby's father could almost be described as Sandra's toy boy, since Luka is just 22. 

Luka was involved in a fatal attack on 20-year-old female chimp Chima last year, but Standley said the dominant male had been a doting partner since Sanda became pregnant.

'All of Luka's interactions with Sanda have been incredibly positive. He's actually never seen a baby before, so there's some unknowns here, but so far it's all been positive.'

Following the birth, Sanda and baby will be quickly assimilated back into the troop.

Standley said all of the troop's five members will play a role raising the baby.

Chimps are pregnant for eight months.

Sanda will be the primary carer while the other females will take on the role of aunties.

'As the infant starts to play, Luka will be more heavily involved at that stage,' Standley said.

Zoo staff are lining the chimp house with wood chips to protect the baby chimp if it were to fall or be dropped from a height.

'Because this is the first chimp birth at the zoo, we're yet to see how the troop will behave with a new baby, but we're keen to allow nature to take its course.'