Tama Zoo currently has four baby Chimpanzee: Ibuki (male), 6 years old; Plum (female), 5 years old; Dill (male), 3 years old; and Shijimi (female), who will turn 1 year old this month.

For Chimpanzee babies, play is a "learning environment." They often play together, with their mothers watching from a distance. If a small quarrel breaks out and one of their babies cries, the mother will immediately rush to their side or carry them away on her back. To continue playing happily, it's crucial to use just the right amount of force to avoid making the other baby cry. Through play, Chimpanzee are likely learning about relationships with each other.


A male Chimpanzee and his child, Decky and Dill (then 1 year old), playing (photographed on June 16, 2023)
Currently, Plum and Dill often play together. Ibuki used to join in as well, but recently he hasn't been seen playing with them much. Perhaps as he grows older, he's starting to be recognized as a male. Also, while many adults will give Plum food when he begs for it, for some reason, few Chimpanzee give food to Ibuki.

However, Ibuki is not one to give up just because she doesn't get any food. When she wants food, she seems to deliberately try to anger the adults. When the angry adults drop the food on the ground, she grabs it and quickly runs away.

While they can be cunning, baby Chimpanzee are also incredibly empathetic. When an adult is crying after losing a fight, or when someone's greeting goes unanswered, they will quietly run over, hug the adult, and comfort them.

One-year-old Shijimi is still too small to play with other children. She either clings to her mother Mil's belly or tries her best to stand while observing her surroundings. Shijimi is like an idol to everyone, and sometimes the adults form a circle around Mil and Shijimi. Everyone seems to want to play with Shijimi, and even Peko, a female Chimpanzee (estimated to be 64 years old), gently kissed Shijimi's belly.


Nana (female), who has little experience raising offspring, is taking care of the clams.

When there are babies in the group, the adults seem to come alive. Chimpanzee society does not involve specific partners, so males do not have a sense of fatherhood and do not care whether the baby is theirs or not. When they want to play, they deliberately move their hands and feet to attract the baby's attention and play chase.

Furthermore, the transformation of Peach, who once abandoned her offspring, is astonishing. She constantly watches over her child, Plum, from afar, rushes to her side if anything happens, and gives in to Plum's begging for food. In the mornings, the sounds of mother and child giggling and tickling each other can be heard coming from Peach and Plum's room.


Peach and Plum, mother and child
As children grow, they show a variety of expressions. It seems that adults, too, are being nurtured through these experiences.

[Tama Zoo, Tama Zoological Park]

◎Related articles
・ Chimpanzee chick "Ibuki" and mother "Momoko" are gradually practicing living together with other members of the group. (July 3, 2019)
・ Updates on Chimpanzee mother and child, "Peach" and "Plum" (October 9, 2020)
・ Chimpanzee "Dill" has turned one year old! (June 16, 2023)
・ Chimpanzee "Mil" raising her child (December 6, 2024)

(May 16, 2025)