It has been a significant month for the Chimpanzee troop at Monarto Safari Park, with four birthdays celebrated across February. Today, Sandali reached an important milestone, turning 30, while young Hope recently marked her seventh birthday. Galatea, 27, and Gombe, 33, were also recognised as part of the troop’s February celebrations.

To mark the occasion, keepers and volunteers provided a range of species-appropriate enrichment designed to encourage natural behaviours such as foraging, exploration and tool use.

Primate Keeper Sarah Fox said the team created a stimulating environment to support the Chimpanzees’ natural instincts and social dynamics.

“We’ve had four birthdays in the last month. We have Sandali’s birthday who today is turning 30. And then we’ve had Galatea. She was 27. We also had Gombe. He turned 33 and we also had little Hope’s birthday, and she turned seven. So big celebration today. Lots of different enrichment and fun for them.” She said

Enrichment boxes were filled with almonds, pellets, nuts, primate cake and tomatoes, while the troop’s termite mounds contained rockmelon hidden inside. The Chimpanzees use sticks to access the fruit, demonstrating the same problem-solving skills and foraging techniques seen in wild populations.

“We’ve got a few boxes out there. The boxes are filled with almonds and pellets and nuts and some tomatoes as well,” Sarah said.

Sandali arrived at Adelaide Zoo from Taronga Zoo at 13 years of age and has now spent more than half his life as part of the troop in Adelaide.

“Sandali is quite a special boy within our troop. He was one of the original ones that came over here with Tsotsie.

“He has spent quite a few years here and has grown into the troop and grown up around the troop. So quite special for him.”

At seven years old, Hope represents the younger generation within the troop and is often observed engaging in play and exploration within the habitat, particularly with other juveniles.

“And then you will see the children quite like to play in that shredded paper rolling around. Hope, the one that did turn seven, she quite likes to roll around in that paper. She’ll play with the rest of the kids,” Sarah said.

With multiple generations within the one troop, birthdays provide an opportunity not only to acknowledge individual milestones, but to continue supporting the chimpanzees’ physical and cognitive wellbeing through carefully planned enrichment that reflects their complex social structure and natural behaviours.