Happy first birthday, Gandali!

Published on 04 February 2021

It’s been a one-derful day for Rockhampton Zoo’s youngest chimpanzee, Gandali, with visitors and staff celebrating his first birthday.

Zoo staff treated the troop to a special birthday enrichment feed this morning to mark the occasion – complete with a chimp friendly jelly cake and their favourite dried fruits and nuts. 

Sports, Parks and Public Spaces Councillor, Cherie Rutherford said a video of the troop’s celebrations is available on the Zoo’s Facebook page for those who missed it.

“Rockhampton Zoo staff filmed our chimp family and of course the beautiful birthday boy, Gandali enjoying their special treats with a live video from the Rockhampton Zoo Facebook page,” Cr Rutherford said. 

“Covid restrictions understandably make it a challenge to hold large events as we normally would at the Zoo, so it’s wonderful we can still share the fun with the community in this way.

“We know that Gandali has grown very dear to so many – from watching his mother’s belly grow during the pregnancy, to his birth, to his development over the past twelve months.

“In last few months especially, staff and visitors have watched Gandali come out of his shell and grow from a shy young chimp to a slightly more outgoing adventurer.

“Gandali never hesitates to try something new and that includes his food as well. He seems to prefer vegetables to fruits but primate cake is definitely a favourite! Today’s special treat jelly cake was a real hit and it was great to watch him react to the new taste and texture.”

Primate Keeper, Blair Chapman said Gandali’s development is credit to his mother, Holly, who has done an incredible job despite the challenges of her upbringing.  

“Holly is a very humanised chimpanzee as she was hand raised like a human child and missed out on what is known as the chimpanzee learning period which is the first 10 years of a chimpanzee’s life,” Blair said.

“During this period, chimpanzees learn everything from language to tools and even how to reproduce and raise babies correctly. Although Holly missed out on these opportunities, she has taken motherhood in her stride and has well and truly impressed us all with how fantastic a mother she is.”

Blair said that the troop all take any opportunity they can to interact with Gandali so just like his big sister Capri, he has had a positive impact on the troop.

“Holly now allows Gandali to venture away from her and you can quite often spot him away from mum climbing high in the bamboo, playing with the other adult chimpanzees or enjoying some quality time with his half-sister Capri. She has developed a real soft spot for her half-brother and is constantly trying to pick him up and carry him around the enclosure and play with him.”

To make things even more exciting, Gandali will become an older brother in April, when 37-year-old member of the troop, Samantha, gives birth.

Alon, the alpha male of the troop, is father to each of the chimp babies.

The chimpanzee family, along with all animals of the Zoo, can be visited between 10am and 4pm each day. Entry to the Zoo is free.

The Rockhampton Zoo is owned and operated by Rockhampton Regional Council.