Oregon Zoo Welcomes 5 New Chimpanzees To Its Primate Forest Habitat

PORTLAND, OR — The Oregon Zoo's new Primate Forest habitat just got a bit more crowded. The zoo recently welcomed five new chimpanzees from the Emory National Primate Research Center in Atlanta.

Oregon Zoo keeper Colleen Reed went to Atlanta earlier this year to meet the five. They join Chloe, Delilah and Jackson, who have been at the zoo for decades.

Kate Gilmore, who oversees the Oregon Zoo's primate area, said that as the new chimpanzees get used to their new home, they will eventually be introduced to Chloe, Delilah and Jackson.

"My favorite thing about chimpanzees is that they cannot hide their emotions at all," Gilmore said. "If they're excited about something, they're excited at a ten. You will definitely hear about it."

Reed provided descriptions of the five and their personalities based on her time with them in Atlanta:

• Daisey, 32, is small but full of attitude, often trying to get the other chimps to play and groom. She's smart, stubborn and lives kiwis and oranges.
• Julianne, 23, is Daisey's younger sister and just as stubborn. She's also mischievous and loves a good nap.
• Missy, 28, is a little more reserved. She's smart and prefers one-on-one training sessions.
• Pericles, 20, is the only male in the group. He's very playful and a "typical young adult male," making noise and pursuing the female chimps.
• Suwanee, 37, is the oldest of the group and likes to let others know that she's in charge. She likes stealing food, especially from Pericles, who usually just gives in.

The zoo's primate habitat has limbing structures, areas for family groups and a simulated termite mound. It also has an indoor area with a natural floor and two 26-foot tall climbing structures.

Famed conservationist Jane Goodall helped the zoo expand and further develop its primate area.

"Goodall helped the zoo find funding for a big outdoor area to house all the chimps here," Reed said. "Primate Forest is a natural outgrowth of those early developments."