Checking in with Stevie the chimpanzee

Tina RolenEast Knox, Our Town Outdoors

Zoo Knoxville’s newest chimpanzee, Stevie, is still living behind the scenes, being raised by the zoo’s expert primate handlers after her mother, Binti, experienced complications following Stevie’s birth in late April.

The zoo’s goal is to reintroduce her to the troop, beginning with the other females. This will require waiting until Stevie is more mobile in the coming months and training the other females to help care for her. Now just over two months old, there are currently no scheduled viewing times for guests to see Stevie. Keeping the nursery calm for the infant, and providing the best care for all of the chimpanzees in our troop will continue to be Zoo Knoxville’s top priority.

Stevie the chimpanzee (Photo courtesy of Zoo Knoxville)

Chimpanzees are an endangered species, and being driven to extinction by habitat loss, disease, and their biggest threat, illegal poaching. Zoo Knoxville is working in partnership with 32 other zoos accredited by The Association of Zoos and Aquariums to ensure a healthy population remains as hope for the future.

For more info on zoo hours and admission or becoming a member at Zoo Knoxville, go here.

Tina Rolen is director of marketing and communications at Zoo Knoxville.

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