Tamil Nadu: Chimpanzee 'Adithya' Born At Chennai's Vandalur Zoo Celebrates Its First Birthday

However, Vandalur zoo authorities that this is the first time that a chimp has completed a year in recent years and mostly the chimps that were birthed earlier did not survive.

The chimpanzee Adithya | Credit: ABP Nadu

Chennai: Adithya, a chimpanzee, who was born in Arignar Anna Zoological Park at Vandalur turned one on Thursday. The zoo authorities celebrated the first birthday by cutting a cake and distributing it to the authorities.

Moreover, Adithya is also quite well-known among the visitors since the baby chimp being carried by his mother on its shoulders is always a delight for them. 

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy director R Kanchana told Times of India, that this is the first time that a chimp has completed a year in recent years. Mostly the chimps that were birthed earlier did not survive.

Usually, it takes 3-5 years for chimpanzees to become independent and the same behaviour is followed even by chimps at the zoos, said the vets. 

On the family bond between chimpanzees, the vets said, the mother usually takes a nap during the day and even then the mother ensures that the baby is holding her on her stomach. 

There is also strange behaviour since the mother would sleep with the baby at night and suddenly it will look into Adithya's eyes and then put him back to sleep, they said, adding that they are not sure why the mother keeps doing it. 

The vets also added that the mother and the father of the baby are too protective even when animal keepers enter their enclosure.
Meanwhile, the zoo authorities have started to provide frozen fruits with honey to the chimps to beat the heat in Vandalur.