Higgy
was born in 1973 at the Lion Country Safari that was in operation
then in California. He is the Alpha male in his group. He is a good leader
and
role model for the youngsters in the group with whom he is often seen
playing.
A large male weighing more than 170 pounds and over 5 feet tall, he walks
with a distinctive swagger.
One
of the oldest chimps known, Little Mama was born in Africa around
1938. It is said that she was a performer in the Ice Capades when she
was
young. She is very people-oriented but is also an active member of her
social
group. You will often see her interacting with the younger chimps to whom
she
is an aunt figure. She is very small with grey hair on her chin and little
hair on
the top of her head and has a sweet personality. She sometimes likes to
wear
a piece of cloth or burlap bag on her back like a shawl.
Born
in 1969, Cindy is the largest female in her social group. Cindy spent
her
childhood as a pet but has learned how to be a chimp and is an important
part
of this large group.
Born
in Africa in 1971, Gin is the top-ranking female in her social group.
Her
children include Tonic, Juniper, Irene, and Olive. She came to Lion Country
Safari in
1981 after being the pet of the owner/operator of a citrus grove in central
Florida.
Gin is a strong matriarch who watches over her group with care and love.
Born
here in 1985, Tonic is a wonderful mother to Janice and Bamboo. She
likes to spend time with her mother Gin and her sisters Juniper and Irene.
As
the big sister and now mother, she carefully watches what everyone is
doing.
Her ties to the group are strong and as she matures, we predict that she
will
be as strong and caring as her family has been to her.
Born
here in 1995, Janice is a wonderful little girl who is very close to her
mother and family members. She often plays with her younger relatives,
Olive and Noel, whom
you may see her babysitting.
Born
here in 1980, Elgin is the "fun uncle" of his social group.
All of the
youngsters love to play with him. Elgin was one of the first offspring
of the
laboratory research chimpanzees that Lion Country Safari gave a home to
in the mid 70's. Elgin had a difficult childhood as he had to be separated
from his mother because of central nervous system problems. He had many
seizures and was under constant medical care for a long time. He has grown
up to be an important part of his social group. He is also often seen
shadowing his buddy Higgy.
Born
here in 1997, Juniper is Gin's daughter. She is growing up to be a
wonderful individual. You will often see her playing with Bamboo and Janice.
Her environment here at Lion Country Safari assures that her future will
be
nothing but "good times".
Irene
Born
here in 1999, Irene is growing up with a very caring group. Her mother
Gin and her sister Tonic are with her all the time, teaching and watching
her grow. She may be shy now, but with their support, she will grow into
the strong personality that her family inspires.
Bamboo
Born
here in 2003, Bamboo has a great place to grow up and a very caring group
to watch over him and educate him in the ways of chimpanzees.
Born
here in 2005, Olive learned early on to be an independent little chimp.
Her mom, Gin, would often let other chimps babysit so that she could have
a break. You'll often see Olive being carried by her older sister, Irene,
or her cousins, Janice and Bamboo. She's an active young girl with many
friends to play with in her group. Olive likes to work on her upper arm
strength by spending lots of time learning to swing on the ropes and climbing
up and down the ladders on the islands.
Born
here in 2005, Noel is our youngest chimp and has been special from the
start. Instead of hanging onto the stomach of her mother Juniper, she
would cling to Juniper's upper arm to see where she was going at all times.
As she matures, she is starting to play away from her mother and interacts
more with Olive and Bamboo. Noel and Olive are sure to be close friends
as they grow up together.