Hercules, Leo and Group go Outdoors for the First Time at Project Chimps

Hercules and Leo were the first two chimpanzees in their social group to explore Project Chimps’ forested outdoor Peachtree Habitat on May 8, 2018. It was an important day in the lives of these well-known former research chimpanzees and a new beginning in their lives of retirement at Project Chimps.

Hercules, Leo and their seven group mates, Binah, Ray, Kennedy, Danner, Jacob, Oscar and Kivuli, were given the opportunity to explore the six-acre outdoor habitat on a sunny spring day. Hercules was the first one out of the tunnel. He, Leo, Oscar, Danner and Binah spent the most time exploring, while the other chimpanzees watched intently from the mesh tunnel that connects Villa 2 with the Peachtree Habitat.

Hercules roamed, Leo watched, and Oscar hoarded oranges

Hercules stepped outside onto the grassy ground and walked bipedally before galloping off toward nearby Cedar Tree Villa. Leo followed soon after, issuing alarm calls to his group mates as he explored the unfamiliar territory. Oscar, one of the younger males in the group, put most of his energy into gathering and enjoying the oranges scattered in the habitat by caregivers.

Leo looks at the open sky above and Oscar enjoys oranges on their first day in the Peachtree Habitat.

There were many special moments that day including when Leo sat down next to Oscar and looked directly at the blue sky overhead. Leo then ventured into the forest and hid behind the trees to observe the chimpanzees in Cedar Tree Villa. Later, he climbed the fire hose ropes in the outdoor habitat before returning to the more familiar villa.

Hercules ventured farthest that day, exploring into the deepest part of the habitat before passing by Cedar Tree Villa to inspect its residents. At one point, he seemed to stop to check on Leo, who was still issuing alarm calls of concern. Binah climbed one of the man-made poles to get a commanding view across the tree tops. Danner gathered nuts and seeds while Kennedy stepped briefly outside and then hopped right back inside. Ray stood like a sentinel at the tunnel door and Jacob and Kivuli watched with tremendous curiosity.

Go outdoors or stay inside? Now they have a choice.

When given the opportunity to go outdoors the next day, most of the group members stayed indoors. After all, the forest is an unfamiliar place for these young chimps. More recently, Kennedy and Kivuli ventured outdoors, while Ray and Jacob have chosen to remain in the tunnel of the villa. Over time, they will become more familiar with the habitat and are likely to spend more time foraging, climbing and exploring as do the other chimpanzees.

You can help us build more climbing structures and enrichment items in the outdoor habitat for Hercules, Leo and the other chimpanzees by donating today. Read about their arrival at Project Chimps here. Watch the video of the group’s first day outdoors on our Project Chimps YouTube channel and subscribe to our channel to see our videos first!