Littlest chimp is still his mother’s favourite!
Wednesday 18 March 2009
It’s Mother’s Day every day for Elvis the seven-year-old chimpanzee at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, who still enjoys being the "baby" when mum Bonnie is around.
© ZSL
The seven-year-old has the luxury of being the youngest in the group of six chimps at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo and gets special treats from his mother, 21-year-old Bonnie.
She will let him share her food and clamber onto her back piggy-back style when they are out on their island and at night she allows him to snuggle up in her nest – the bed the chimps build in their indoor quarters.
Senior keeper Kathy Doherty said: “Chimps will not usually share food but as Elvis is still the youngest he gets the special treatment from his mother.
“She doesn’t mind when he jumps on her back, which he does when the group are on the move somewhere.”
The chimps – Bonnie, Elvis, Phil, Grant, Nicky and Koko - are enjoying the beautiful Spring weather at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo and are among the first out in the morning on their lush green island.
The zoo animals have all got a "spring" in their step and the wintry landscape has made way for a burst of colour.
