Resting in the straw...
All the way over there?
Quality time
Enough cardio for one day!
Knoxville, Tenn.- IT'S A BOY! Knoxville Zoo is excited to announce the arrival of a baby chimpanzee. The chimpanzee was born Saturday morning, July 19 to parents Daisy and Jimbo. Zoo officials learned of Daisy's pregnancy earlier this year and were expecting the baby’s arrival sometime in late July to early August. Both baby and mother are doing well. The baby is alert and nursing which is exactly what zoo staff had hoped for. Both baby and mother Daisy are currently off exhibit to provide rest and time for bonding.
"We are thrilled to announce the birth of this chimpanzee. Knoxville Zoo has one of the largest and most impressive chimpanzee exhibits in the country," said Jim Vlna, executive director of Knoxville Zoo. "Our chimpanzee troop has been full of ups and downs this year with the addition of three new chimps from Cleveland Zoo and the loss of Mugsy. This birth brings great joy to the zoo and to our friends throughout the community."
This is the first chimpanzee to be born at Knoxville Zoo in 20 years. This birth brings the total number of chimpanzees at Knoxville Zoo to nine. This significant birth is due in part to the breeding recommendation by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association's (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP). Together with the AZA, the Chimpanzee SSP serves to guide the management of the chimpanzee population at 35 accredited zoos across the country representing 274 chimpanzees.
The baby chimpanzee has been named George. Tim and Amy Williams of Knoxville purchased the naming rights to the chimpanzee at this year's fundraising gala, Zoofari 2008, held in June. Their 4-year old granddaughter, Katelyn, chose the name for the baby chimpanzee.
Baby George and Daisy are currently off exhibit to provide rest and time for bonding between mother and baby. The zoo encourages friends to visit the website for updates and news about the baby. For more information and to see pictures of the baby, visit www.knoxville-zoo.org.
Knoxville Zoo is located off exit 392A from Interstate 40 West and is open every day except Christmas Day. The zoo is nationally accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and is committed to the highest standards in animal care and well-being, ethics, conservation, and education. Currently, the zoo is open every day from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission and ticket sales stop one-hour before the zoo closes. Next-day admission is free after 3 p.m. For more information, please call 865.637.5331 ext. 300 or visit www.knoxville-zoo.org.
