New Chimp Comes To Maryland Zoo

BALTIMORE, MD — A new chimp is being introduced to the troop of 11 chimpanzees who already call The Maryland Zoo home. He hails from Indiana and was moved to Baltimore based upon the recommendation of an organization that manages zoo populations across the United States.

"Alex came from a very small troop in Indiana," Maryland Zoo Chimpanzee Forest Area Manager Pam Carter said in a statement.

Alex, who is 21 years old, hails from the Potawatomi Zoo in South Bend, Indiana, where his troop included two female chimps.

The Maryland Zoo, on the other hand, is home to eight female and three male chimps that range from 12 to 47 years old.

"Since The Maryland Zoo has a much larger, dynamic troop, his introduction process will be strategic and unhurried," Carter said. "We monitor behaviors and reactions very closely."

The zoo in Baltimore welcomed Alex in April and said he recently completed a 30-day quarantine, during which time he was able to see and hear the others in the Chimpanzee Forest.

He began meeting the other chimps last week in one-on-one introductions, Maryland zoo personnel reported on Tuesday, May 14.

"Our hope is that over time he’ll grow confident and comfortable around everyone, and settle into the troop," Carter said.

The arrival of Alex came based on a recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Chimpanzee Species Survival Plan, which guides management of the chimpanzee population in the United States.

The Indiana zoo was looking to re-home the chimps as it focuses on other species, and after several staff members from The Maryland Zoo visited, they determined he would be a good fit, according to Maryland Zoo Senior Director of Development & Communications Jane Ballentine.

"So far, he is quite curious and interested in exploring, which is a good start," Ballentine told Patch.

Chimpanzees are classified as endangered, and their greatest threat is habitat loss in Africa due to logging, fires and agriculture, zoo officials say, with poaching and disease posing additional threats.

The chimps are located in the Chimpanzee Forest at The Maryland Zoo, which offers people the chance to ask questions of the experts during Chimpanzee Keeper Chats at 2:30 p.m. on Sundays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.