Rockhampton Zoo's Cassie to relocate to Monarto Safari Park

Published on 17 September 2026

After spending her first months in the dedicated care of Rockhampton Zoo staff, three-month-old chimpanzee, Cassie, is set to begin her next journey.

Rockhampton Zoo and Zoos South Australia announced today that Cassie will relocate to Monarto Safari Park, south of Adelaide next month, where she will have the opportunity to join a troop of 12 and continue her development alongside other chimpanzees.

Councillor for Parks, Sport and Public Spaces, Cherie Rutherford, said that while it will be difficult to farewell Cassie, the move is the best outcome for the young chimpanzee.

"Cassie has become a much-loved member of the Rockhampton Zoo family, so naturally it is bittersweet to announce that she will leave us in October," Cr Rutherford said.

"It will be sad to say goodbye, but this is exactly the result we've been hoping for. Seeing Cassie move on to have the opportunity to join a troop of her own is an important milestone and a wonderful opportunity for her.”

Since June, Cassie has been receiving around-the-clock care from Rockhampton Zoo staff after suffering injuries shortly after birth and unsuccessful reintroductions to her mother and troop. Her move to Monarto Safari Park will give her the opportunity to gradually build relationships with other chimpanzees and learn the social behaviours that are an important part of chimp life.

Cr Rutherford said the relocation follows weeks of planning from both the Rockhampton Zoo and Monarto Safari Park teams to find the right long-term home for Cassie.

“We're both grateful and excited that Monarto Safari Park will play such an important role in Cassie’s future,” Cr Rutherford said.

"Their team has a wealth of experience in caring for chimpanzees, hand-rearing, surrogacy, reintroductions, and introductions, and we know Cassie will be in excellent hands.

"I also want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the incredible efforts of our zoo staff, who have been caring for little Cassie around the clock since her birth, and investing so much time and effort not only into her care but also into securing the best possible future for her.”

Rockhampton Zoo Curator and primate specialist, Blair Chapman, said Cassie's move will be carefully supported, with keepers from both teams travelling with her and overseeing the transition into her new environment.

"We're incredibly excited for Cassie and the opportunities she'll have as part of an established chimpanzee troop like the one at Monarto Safari Park," Mr Chapman said.

"From the very beginning, our goal has been to ensure Cassie could become part of a chimpanzee family group, because that's where she'll develop the social bonds, confidence and behaviours that are so important for young chimpanzees.

"Being surrounded by chimpanzees of different ages and personalities will give Cassie the opportunity to build relationships, learn from her own species and continue to grow into a healthy and well-adjusted chimpanzee."

Acting Director Monarto Safari Park, Beth Pohl, said Cassie will be in the care of a highly experienced team, with a long history of surrogacy, introducing and integrating chimpanzees from across the world into the established Monarto Safari Park troop.

“We’re pleased Monarto Safari Park can play this important role in Cassie’s future. The Rockhampton Zoo team has done a remarkable job providing her with around-the-clock care, and we’re proud to be able to continue that here at Monarto Safari Park,” Ms Pohl said.

“Human care has been incredibly important for Cassie, but ultimately it’s essential that she has the chance to learn from other chimpanzees. We want her to experience the social behaviours, relationships, and interactions that are such an important part of chimpanzee life.”

Cassie will gradually be introduced to the multi-generational troop of 12 chimpanzees at Monarto Safari Park, providing her with opportunities to interact with and observe males and females ranging in age from three to 47 years old, all with different personalities and social roles.

Ms Pohl said introductions would happen gradually, guided by the behaviour and social dynamics of the wider troop.

“When Cassie arrives, the first priority will be giving her time to settle into her new environment, getting to know her way around and becoming familiar with new keepers.

“From there, our experienced primate team will closely monitor how the troop responds to Cassie, and those behaviours will guide when and how introductions progress.”

Visitors still have the chance to see Cassie before she leaves Rockhampton, with the young chimpanzee spending time each day in the enclosure beside the main chimpanzee habitat until early October.

Rockhampton Zoo is open daily from 9am to 4.15pm and entry is free.