Also on Schindler Tour II

When the Schindler party and I got to the NC Zoo chimpanzee exhibit today, we found four chimps in residence. I explained that I believed we had found two longtime, adult males and two, young, male newcomers.

This media release, just received, explains:

"Two young chimpanzees went on exhibit for the first time Friday at the North Carolina Zoo, expanding the park’s chimp collection to 14 animals and ranking it among the largest in American zoos.

"“Lance” and “Sokoto”, both age 6, are half-brothers from the Miami Metrozoo in Miami, FL and arrived at the N.C. Zoo in March. Following a mandatory 60-day quarantine required for all new primates, keepers have spent two months introducing them to the zoo’s two adult male chimps. The four males were placed on exhibit together Friday as the process of integrating the new chimps to the entire troop continues.

"According to Curator of Mammals Lorraine Smith, Lance and Sokoto’s transfer to Asheboro was approved by the Association of Zoo’s & Aquarium’s Chimpanzee Species Survival Program to increase the number of males and broaden the age balance in the N.C. Zoo’s troop. Male relationships are extremely important in chimpanzee groups, Smith noted.

"The zoo’s collection now includes both males and females ranging in age from the six-year-old newcomers to adults in their late 30s. Lance and Sokoto were also selected as potential mates for some of the zoo’s younger females, Smith added.

"Until the young males can be acclimated to the entire troop, they will be exhibited on alternating days with the two older males, Smith said."