Kenya

Born at a breeding facility in Miami, Kenya was pulled from her birth mother a few hours after she was born. In her early years, she lived at a Miami bird park attraction and then moved to the Center for Great Apes when she was five years old along with her companions Grub and Noelle (her baby sister).  A few months after they arrived at the sanctuary, Kenya’s mother, Toddy, also arrived from Miami.  Kenya was reunited with her mother, and they lived together in Grub’s group for many years before Toddy passed away.

Today, Kenya lives with Noelle, Brooks, Chipper, Mowgli, and Natsu.  She is still very close to Noelle and plays with her frequently during the day. Kenya is also exceptionally close to Chipper, a former circus chimp in his late 40s.

Kenya has a playful personality and frequently invites the other chimpanzees (as well as her caregivers) to play with her. When she was a juvenile, Kenya liked to roll around and somersault in the hay, “frog-hop” backward, and dig in the sand with a shovel. She also loved water play and would often jump right into the hose spray while the caregivers tried to wash down the outdoor habitats.  When she would see someone with the hose, Kenya would get one of her “kiddie pools”, carry it over to her caregiver, and wait for it to be filled with water. Then she would lie down in the water, twirl around in it, and even stick her entire head underwater to blow bubbles! Today, as an adult, Kenya is a bit more reserved in her play, but still loves to splash in the water.

Kenya is skillful at manipulating objects and often fashions tools from sticks and toys. She has removed all moveable parts from many of her toys and has been successful in dismantling all types of climbing structures, swinging devices, and sleeping hammocks.

Kenya interacts with both humans and chimpanzees in a very positive way and is often the peacemaker in her group.  Everyone loves Kenya!