One of the many reasons why chimpanzees should never be pets is their natural destructive behavior. On the daily basis we enter enclosures for cleaning and find destroyed toys, ripped blankets, broken night time enrichment, and on many occasions stuffed animals with severed limbs and stuffing coming out. This is why we follow rigorous rules that dictate the type enrichment and toys that each group is allowed to have. Ranging from choking hazards, to possible obstructions if ingested each item is checked by at least two caregivers before the item is placed inside an enclosure to ensure that the chimpanzees, as individuals and as groups will be safe. Every item that is placed inside is potentially going to be destroyed, and sometimes we encounter crime scenes that may never be solved. I mean we could, we can just watch security footage, but working around mysteries is more intriguing.
Case #1
First on the scene: Special Agent de Bree
Victim: Stuffed teddy bear
Cause of death: Severe stuffingloss by limb amputation and decapitation. Strangulation has not been ruled out.
Location: Greenhouse 1
Evidence collected: Plaid ribbon scarf
Case #2
First on the scene: Special Agent Castro-Loza
Victim: Stuffed tiger
Cause of death: Severe stuffingloss by amputation of left hind leg and tail.
Location: Front Room 3
Evidence collected: Unopened pumpkin seed
Number of suspects: 7
But three individuals matched our previous offense data base. Jamie, Annie, and Burrito are on the top of the suspect list pending investigation and forensic analysis.
Jamie de-stuffing a lion
Click here to access our Amazon Wish List with an assortment of approved enrichment. The Holiday list is up!!!
Click here to view our Enrichment Database.
