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Zootails 61
Renovations and Revelations – Chimpanzees and Lories
Dr. Elizabeth Kaufman
There is a rule when you are considering renovating your home, or even a room in your home. What's the rule? Expect it to be 20% more expensive, 20% more aggravating and take 20% more time than you want it to be. Several friends of mine are doing renovations and so far the rule is holding true; except here at the Biblical Zoo.
Have you been by the Chimpanzee exhibit lately? It recently went under extensive renovation and is now open again and the only thing I can say about it is that it is 20% more exciting and 20% more complicated than any home renovation. Firstly, the chimps couldn't move out to a hotel or in with their parents or in-laws while work was being done. Everything had to be done around their needs in order to reduce the stress on them as much as possible during this time. The Chimps were kept indoors for five weeks, a time that required a lot of work from their keepers. All the preparatory work that could be done before construction could begin had to be ready: new toys and play spaces inside the chimpanzee house had to be prepared, new schedules organized and the keepers even prepared games and learning sessions to keep them occupied (They even watched "Baby Mozart", but showed no great interest). The exhibit itself has been planned with the involvement of the Zoo's Curator, Primate keepers, Zoologist, Veterinarians and Zoo Architect and the end product is a modern, fabulous and exiting exhibit for chimps and visitors alike. The exhibit has been expanded to give the chimps more room to run and jump and play. The moat has been filled in for most of its length and huge extra strong plate glass windows run along the front of the exhibit to allow the chimps to come face to face with the public. There are new behavioral enrichment "toys" near the window not only for the chimps' entertainment but also to educate the public about various aspects of the Chimpanzee's innate intelligence, strength, use of tools and problem solving abilities. Such a face to face encounter with the Chimps is entertaining for those on both sides of the window. A bridge runs along the length of the exhibit to an overlook situated at the western edge where people are able to stand and enjoy a wider view of the groups' activities. So on your next visit, don't forget to come and see the Chimps!
The other construction we have all been waiting for is the walk through Lori Aviary. Set across from the bear exhibit, this very charming and beautiful new aviary has been finished for a while, but it took time for the Lories to adjust to their new environment before opening the interactive aviary to visitors. Now they have learned how to come and eat from special food cups offered by visitors. You are invited to come and observe them or purchase food cups of specially prepared nectar at the entrance to the exhibit. They will land on your arm and happily lick the nectar from the cups offered or they may choose to land on your shoulder or lap. On occasion they might even land on your head! The Lori Aviary is one of the special places that emphasize the relationship between humans and animals. We all enjoy the time spent with animals. Some of them provide us with warmth and love and some with a sense of closeness and interest. The visit in the Aviary connects the visitors to the animals by means of love and respect. So the first time you come into the aviary you will have the experience of a lifetime; up close and personal with these beautiful gentle birds.
We're waiting for you with a winter full of new things to see and learn and experience!
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