Dudley Zoo chimps celebrate birthday with special treat

Birthday girl Binti, who turned 28 on Thursday (September 27), celebrated the occasion with the other animals.

The fruit was donated by Dudley Zoo member Wendy Gray from Coseley who sent in a bag of treats as well.

Jodie Dryden, Senior Primate Keeper at the zoo, said: “Wendy very kindly gave us a bag for Binti containing raisins, tennis balls and a new pink towel as well as four watermelons for the whole group of girls to share.

“They absolutely loved the fruit and there were lots of good vocalisations too. There was plenty to go round and some of them chose to collect their share and take themselves off to different parts of the enclosure and enjoy the feast.

“It was so funny when Binti’s sister Banika munched a hole through one of her pieces and peered through it.

“Binti especially loved the watermelons as she is attracted to bright colours and is our little hoarder. She loves collecting things and gathering them around her so will love her toys and towel from Wendy.”

Wendy, who visits our seven female apes twice a week and brings keepers piles of goodies for them, has been visiting Dudley Zoo since she was a little girl and has bought 10 annual memberships for herself and family members.