It’s the most wonderful time of the year – Chimpmas!
The annual Chimpmas tradition at Monarto Safari Park was held over the weekend, as keepers turned Christmas elves showering the troop with festive treats.
Senior Keeper of Primates, Laura Hanley, said it was a double celebration with the youngest member of the family – aptly named Happy – turning two.
“This year Chimpmas was held on Happy’s second birthday so it was definitely a double celebration for the troop and our team,” she said.
“Happy is such a ball of energy and it’s been so amazing for our team to watch him grow.
“He is always playing and having fun with the Zola and big sister Hope and today was no exception – he was straight into all of the presents and the youngsters were the life of the party!”
Along with colourful cardboard Christmas decorations displayed around the Chimpanzee habitat, the troop were also treated to festively-wrapped boxes filled with vegetables and fruit and tasty ice blocks.
“Chimpmas is my favourite day of the year; it’s such fun to plan and prepare the decorations and snacks for the troop alongside our talented volunteers at BEEZA (Behavioural Environmental Enrichment for Zoo Animals),” Laura said.
“They love ripping into all of the enrichment and discovering what is inside, and not only is this a fun way to get in the Christmas spirit and celebrate birthdays, but it is also vitally important for their mental and physical wellbeing encouraging natural behaviours.”
Chimpanzees are highly endangered with as little as 350,000 remaining in the wild. Sadly, their habitat is being destroyed to mine coltan, the mineral used in many electronic devices.
Zoos SA is helping divert mobile phones from landfill through They’re Calling You – a campaign dedicated to supporting primate conservation simply by recycling old mobile phones.
The funds generated through recycling your phones and electronic devices will directly support on-ground work with Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary and the Jane Goodall Institute Australia.
Visitors can enjoy a wild Christmas with Zoos SA with Monarto Safari Park and Adelaide Zoo open 365 days a year, including Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
Non-members are encouraged to pre-book their date specific tickets, either online or through the Zoos SA bookings team to ensure they don’t miss out!
Zoos SA members are not required to book, and will be able to enter the park on any day of their choosing by presenting your valid membership card and photo ID.
For more information or to book your tickets for a wild day of fun, please visit monartosafari.com.au/tickets
