When chimpanzee, Barbie, needed dental extraction work, it wasn’t your average trip to the dentist! A makeshift operating theatre, complete with state-of-the art equipment, was created in the primate keepers’ office for the zoo’s veterinary team to use, alongside an expert veterinary dentist, who travelled from Manchester to carry out the two-hour operation – … Continue reading Dental work
Our arty apes have been busy over the last few days painting colourful canvasses to help us raise money for World Chimpanzee Day – but they’re limited edition, so you’ve got to be quick if want some original artwork on your wall! Tomorrow’s official day (14th July) aims to raise awareness of the threats to … Continue reading Arty apes
When keepers painted the chimp indoor house floor, our seven girls immediately knew something was different underfoot! The Lower Primates staff have been busy over the last few weeks revamping the indoor area with colourful greenery stencilled onto the walls and a new glossy brown paint on the floor. Senior Keeper Jade Reddall said: “The … Continue reading Something different underfoot!
THANK YOU to everyone who has donated sheets, towels and duvet covers for our primates – but we’ve got enough for now! We’ve been inundated with bags of linen from generous supporters since we appealed for help in providing our chimpanzees and orangutans with enrichment. Lower Primates Senior Keeper, Jodie Dryden, said: “Thank you to everyone … Continue reading Successful sheet appeal!
Our animals appreciated the clocks going back this morning as they enjoyed an extra hour to snooze in their dens. With the clocks falling back 60 minutes at 2am to signal the end of British Summer Time, our 1,500 strong exotic animal collection were able to snuggle down for longer as they waited for keepers … Continue reading Extra snoozing time
Can you help us as we renew our plea for playthings for our primates? Our stocks of unwanted and clean bed linen and towels, which keepers use to provide enrichment for our Bornean orangutans and chimpanzees, are running low and we’re appealing for help from visitors to help replenish them. Assistant Curator, Jay Haywood, said: … Continue reading Primate playtime plea
Seasonal produce is always on the menu for our 200-strong animal species here at DZG. And in recent weeks our seven female chimpanzees have been tucking into delicious blackberries, freshly picked by keepers from bushes around the zoo site. And 23 year-old Mali didn’t waste any time in wolfing down the juicy autumnal treats!
Lower Primate Keepers got crafty to celebrate chimpanzee, Binti’s 27th birthday. Staff devised an exciting enrichment device for the group, which all seven chimp girls could use at the same time, using ply wood, plastic bottles and a few tasty treats! Senior Keeper, Jodie Dryden, said: “I made holes in a piece of plywood to … Continue reading Crafty keepers for Binti’s birthday!
DZG’s seven chimpanzees enjoyed their first ever foam party in celebration of Barbie’s 39th birthday! Lower Primate keepers emptied the indoor den’s flooring of woodchip before leaving a paddling pool filled with water and baby bubble bath in the middle, which was full of lots of treats for the girls to discover. Keeper Harley Hunt, … Continue reading Foam party fun!
