Source: dvm360

The Maryland Zoo welcomed a new chimpanzee, Rozi, on June 10, 2024. Initially healthy, Rozi’s condition declined after a few weeks, prompting intervention from the animal care team. Pamela Carter, the Chimpanzee Forest Area manager, explained that Rozi, a hand-reared first-time mother, struggled to provide sufficient milk. The team stabilized Rozi, providing 24/7 care until she is strong enough to rejoin the troop.

Although improving, Rozi may need ongoing supplemental nutrition. Her birth was approved by the Association of Zoo and Aquariums Species Survival Program, and her genetic compatibility with the zoo’s three breeding males is being tested to identify her father. Rozi joins three other juvenile chimpanzees: Lola, Violet, and Maisie. Chimpanzees learn essential social behaviors from their group, highlighting the importance of Rozi’s eventual reintegration. The wild chimpanzee population has dramatically decreased from 1-2 million in 1900 to around 150,000 due to poaching, habitat loss, and diseases. Rozi’s progress will be shared on the zoo’s website and social media.

Read the full story HERE: https://www.dvm360.com/view/maryland-zoo-welcomes-baby-chimpanzee