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Name || Chimpanzee

Scientific Name || Pan troglodytes

Conservation Status || Endangered

Habitat || Savannah, grassland and tropical rainforests of Western and Central Africa.

Unique Features || Infant chimpanzees have a white tuft on their rump and pink-brown facial skin that darkens by adulthood. Social Behaviour || The males form the core of a group, with the young females transferring to other groups to breed. Males are dominant over females. Diet || Fruit, leaves, flowers, seeds, insects, and small animal prey. Feeding is usually an individual activity but they can work co-operatively to hunt larger prey such as monkeys, pigs, and antelope. Reproduction || Female chimpanzees are usually 13-15 years old before they have their first off-spring. Usually a single baby is born after an eight-month pregnancy, though twins have been documented in the wild. Infants are weaned when they are about 3 years old but usually maintain a close relationship with their mother for several more years. Life Cycle || Chimpanzees reach sexual maturity at around 11-13 years of age. The average life span is 53 years. Relatives || Chimpanzees belong to the great ape superfamily, as do gorillas, orang-utans and humans. Interesting Facts : Adult chimpanzees are three to four times stronger than an average human. They can recognise themselves in a mirror and have the ability to learn sign language. They are one of the few mammals that manufacture and use "tools" (27 different types of tool have been recognised). They may use leaves to clean the body, twigs to gather insects and stones to crack hard seeds. Breeding Programme || Wellington Zoo is a member of the Australasian Species Management Program (ASMP) which provides coordinated management and planning recommendations for species residing in the Australasian Regional Association of Zoological Parks and Aquaria (ARAZPA) member institutions. Wellington Zoo supports the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA). Environmental Conditions || The rainforests, which make up part of their home, are being cleared for agriculture and timber. Chimpanzees have become extinct in five countries and their population is rapidly declining. At Wellington Zoo || We have 12 chimpanzees living in a large park. All were born either here or at Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia. The youngest was born in 1998 and the oldest, Sammy, was born here in 1977. We have 3 adult males sharing the alpha male position - this is very unusual.

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