Baby chimpanzee will join Monarto Safari Park troop
After spending her first months in the dedicated care of Rockhampton Zoo staff, three-month-old Cassie is set to begin her next journey.
A baby chimpanzee will relocate to Monarto Safari Park next month, Zoos SA has announced.
Three-month-old Cassie will have the opportunity to join a troop of 12 and continue her development alongside other chimpanzees.
Since June, she has been receiving around-the-clock care from Rockhampton Zoo staff due to injuries she suffered shortly after birth, then unsuccessful reintroductions to her mother and troop.
Her move to Monarto will give her the opportunity to gradually build relationships with other chimpanzees and learn the social behaviours that are an important part of chimp life.
Rockhampton Zoo curator and primate specialist Blair Chapman said Cassie's move would be carefully supported, with keepers from both teams travelling with her and overseeing her gradual transition into her new environment.
"We're incredibly excited for Cassie and the opportunities she'll have as part of an established chimpanzee troop like the one at Monarto Safari Park," he said.
"From the very beginning, our goal has been to ensure Cassie could become part of a chimpanzee family group, because that's where she'll develop the social bonds, confidence and behaviours that are so important for young chimpanzees.
"Being surrounded by chimpanzees of different ages and personalities will give Cassie the opportunity to build relationships, learn from her own species and continue to grow into a healthy and well-adjusted chimpanzee."
Beth Pohl, the acting director of Monarto Safari Park, said Cassie would be in the care of a highly experienced team, with a long history of surrogacy and introducing and integrating chimpanzees from across the world into the established troop.
'The Rockhampton Zoo team has done a remarkable job providing her with around-the-clock care, and we’re proud to be able to continue that here at Monarto Safari Park, and play such an important role in her future” Ms Pohl said.
“Human care has been incredibly important for Cassie, but ultimately it’s essential that she has the chance to learn from other chimpanzees.
"We want her to experience the social behaviours, relationships, and interactions that are such an important part of chimpanzee life.”
Cassie will gradually be introduced to the multi-generational troop of 12 chimpanzees at Monarto Safari Park, providing her with opportunities to interact with and observe males and females ranging in age from three to 47 years old, all with different personalities and social roles.
“When Cassie arrives, the first priority will be giving her time to settle into her new environment, getting to know her way around and becoming familiar with new keepers," Ms Pohl said.
“From there, our experienced primate team will closely monitor how the troop responds to Cassie, and those behaviours will guide when and how introductions progress.”
Daily keeper talks are held at the chimpanzee enclosure at Monarto Safari Park at 12.40pm.
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