IMG_1307_Kenya[1]

Getting To Know Them Better

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!

Back to Meet the Chimpanzee

Birthday

07/01/1993

Interesting Facts

  • Kenya was born July 1, 1993… and her mother was Toddy.
  • Kenya is one of the three original chimpanzees at the sanctuary.
  • Once when a 6-foot alligator made its way into the sanctuary creek and stopped right underneath the overhead trailways over the creek, Kenya helpfully spit at the alligator while the others in her group alarm-barked at it.

ADOPT AN APE

It costs over $25,000 a year to care for one of our apes. By symbolically adopting the ape of your choice for a one-time donation of $300 OR just $25 a month for one year, you are helping ensure the health, safety, and well-being of your orangutan or chimpanzee.

Can't Adopt?

In addition to cash donations, the Center for Great Apes is always in need of food, enrichment items, and supplies. We welcome gifts of all kinds.

Wishlist

Want to know what we need? We have a list of things we would like to have.

Center for Orangutan and Chimpanzee Conservation, Inc. dba Center for Great Apes is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, FEID 65-0444725.

© 2020 Center for Great Apes. All Rights Reserved.

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