An adorable new arrival has touched down in South Australia, with four-month-old chimpanzee Cassie safely completing a mammoth 2,000-kilometre journey to her new home at Monarto Safari Park.
Cassie travelled for around 28 hours from Rockhampton Zoo in Queensland, before making her first South Australian stop at Austin Vet Specialists for health checks.
She then continued to Monarto Safari Park, where a big sleep was understandably first on the agenda.
“She was understandably very tired when she arrived, so she had a big sleep overnight, but she’s woken up this morning, and everything is going really well,” said Assistant Curator Primates and Carnivores, Jon Allon.
Cassie is feeding as expected and has also had a check-in with a paediatrician, while veterinary staff assessed a previous leg injury and found it was healing well.
The youngster has received around-the-clock human care since shortly after her birth. Following specialist advice, the decision was made to relocate Cassie after attempts to safely reunite her with the chimpanzees at Rockhampton Zoo could not continue.
Her move to Monarto Safari Park gives her the opportunity to eventually join an established, multi-generational troop of 12 chimpanzees and learn the complex social behaviours that come from growing up around her own species.
For now, however, there will be no rushed introductions.
Cassie is being given opportunities to see, hear and experience her future troop through protective barriers, while keepers closely monitor the responses of everyone involved.
The early signs are encouraging, with some adult males already approaching the mesh and windows to investigate their tiny new neighbour and displaying playful behaviours.
Before Cassie even arrived, Monarto keepers had been showing the troop photos and videos of her and playing recordings of her vocalisations. Cassie was similarly shown footage and played sounds of the Monarto chimps while she was still in Rockhampton.
“It’s still very early days, but what we’re seeing so far looks really good,” said Jon.
Cassie will continue receiving 24-hour care, including a dedicated night shift, while she settles in.
There is no fixed timeframe for direct introductions or for Cassie to eventually join the wider troop, with the process entirely guided by her behaviour and that of the other chimpanzees.
Visitors may occasionally catch a glimpse of Monarto Safari Park’s newest resident, although keepers say sightings will depend on Cassie’s needs and where the troop is spending its time each day.
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