Indianapolis Zoo Announces Opening of Cool New Chimpanzee Complex
The Indianapolis Zoo is home to a very cool orangutan exhibit that is worth seeing if you've never been to the zoo, and it looks like they are adding another awesome exhibit, a Chimpanzee complex! The zoo shared a video at the end of March showing the first two Chimps who decided to check it out, and it looks like they are enjoying their new outdoor adventure zone!
In the video's caption the zoo says that the Chimps are named Arthur and Eveline, and described the two as "bold and curious". Arthur climbed the tower and interacted with the guests, and he was the most confident of the two. Watch as the friends explore their new outdoor spaces!
I want to go see this! The Indianapolis Zoo is my favorite zoo because of their Orangutan exhibit, so I'm guessing that the Chimpanzee complex is just as cool. I've never seen exhibits like this anywhere else, and it's definitely worth taking a trip there to see. The zoo itself is rather small, but these exhibits (and getting to see sloths up close and personal) make a visit worth it!
Related: Indianapolis Zoo Celebrates Orangutan’s 46th Birthday
Cool Chimp Facts
Chimpanzees are considered endangered, which is why zoos and sanctuaries provide safe places from them to live and thrive. According to a study in Nature Communications, like people, chimps are very adaptable to different environmental and climate conditions, so it's not surprising to see them in zoos that have extreme weather conditions...like the snow and cold in Indianapolis. And believe it or not, chimps actually enjoy the snow! As long as they are given ways to warm up after a snow filled adventure, there is no reason that they can't be given opportunities to explore the winter wonderland.
Chimps are our closest relatives in the animal kingdom; we share a whopping 98 percent of our DNA with them. Chimps are very similar to humans and do things that we do; they laugh and have fun together, form groups like families, and use tools to help them achieve goals (like using sticks to pluck termites out of holes in wood).
They also live long lives in captivity, but not in the wild. Fact Animal shared, "The oldest recorded chimpanzee was between 76 and 82 when she passed away, which far surpasses the current life expectancy of 33 years for wild chimps."
And while it may seem that having a pet chimp would be a lot of fun, remember that they are actually wild and dangerous animals. They are very intelligent and seem so humanlike, but they are also unpredictable and are incredibly strong. These exotic pets are illegal in most U.S. states, so if you're considering getting one, make sure they're legal to own in your state.
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