Cheeky chimps Alon and Leaky want to meet you!

Published on 14 September 2015

Rockhampton Zoo’s new cheeky chimps are settling in well, are looking their absolute best and are excited to finally meet the public.  

Rockhampton Regional Council’s Parks and Recreation Committee Chair Councillor Cherie Rutherford said it’s been a mammoth effort by our very passionate Zoo staff to make this happen. 

“It’s been more than 12,000km, 40 days in transit and quarantine, and another 10 days adjusting here at the zoo, so it’s wonderful that Alon and Leaky are now ready to meet everyone,” Cr Rutherford said. 

“Our Keepers have been working closely with them to ensure a smooth transition and I’m extremely proud of all their hard work. 

“Alon and Leaky’s personalities have played a big part in helping to adjust and they’re even meeting our other chimps, which is far sooner than we originally expected. 

“We’re absolutely thrilled that they’re getting along so well with Cassius, but more time is needed for our other chimps Holly and Sam.”

What to expect from our new chimps:

• When the chimps arrived they were separated within the enclosure from the other three chimps to help them become familiar with their surroundings.
• Alon and Leaky will begin setting up their hierarchical structure within the enclosure even though they are still not physically in contact with the other chimps. The first stage has been to introduce Cassius to Alon and Leaky – these three are now in one enclosure.
• The pecking order within the enclosure will most likely change but that won’t be determined until they all live together.
• The introduction of a young male is rare so it is a wonderful opportunity for Rockhampton Zoo, particularly as breeding could be possible.
• Life span of chimpanzees in the wild is 40-50 years and in captivity in 60-70 years. This is due to the nutritional and medical services available.

Fast Facts

• Alon is a 7-year-old Male
• Leaky is a 20-year-old Female
• They were both born and raised at Ramat Gan Safari Park in Israel
• They are a new genetic blood line for the Australasian Region
• Alon meaning ‘Oak Tree’ in Hebrew infers that he will be a very big chimp
• Leaky was named after the researcher Dr Lewis Leaky who was prominent in studies on Great Apes
• Alon and Leaky are very socially experienced chimpanzees and will help our chimps develop more natural and higher functioning chimpanzee characteristics
• Previously Rockhampton Zoo’s chimpanzees have primarily been from disadvantaged situations
• Sam, Holly and Leaky are female chimps
• Cassius and Alon are male chimps
• Breeding is possible and Alon is already presenting alpha displays
• The chimps were in transit and quarantine for 40 days: Israel – Los Angeles – Melbourne – South Australia via road for quarantine – freight plane to Brisbane – via road to Rockhampton.