Chipper
born
approximately 1974
Chipper was wild-born in Africa in 1974 and then sold to a circus trainer when he was only two years old.
Along with Butch,
Chipper spent 10 years in the Ringling Brothers circus and then
went to a bio-medical research lab in New Mexico when his owner
died. After Chipper left the lab in 1985, he was sent to a small
roadside zoo for retired performing circus animals in North
Florida. While there, Chipper and another chimpanzee gained some
notoriety on television when they escaped, ran out onto the
Interstate with a gallon of honey, and sat on the road eating
their stolen treat. After they finished the honey, they ran into
the barn and took the cap off the gas tank of a nearby tractor,
poured in kitty litter, and then replaced the cap!
Chipper
arrived at the Center’s sanctuary in September 2000 with his
long-time companion, Butch, and now lives in a 30’ tall habitat.
Chipper is taller and slimmer than Butch and can easily climb all
the structures in his new home. His athletic abilities are evident
as he explores the swings and vines in his outside area.
His favorite
enrichment
toys are old shoes and boots…and lots of fresh tree branches for
nest building. Chipper will spend long periods of time carefully
placing his enrichment toys in the large “nests” he builds
each day.