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A New Arrival for Colchester Zoo's Growing Chimpanzee Family
There's exciting news for animal lovers across the UK, as Colchester Zoo celebrates the birth of an adorable baby chimpanzee! The new arrival is a wonderful opportunity for families to learn more about these fascinating animals and the importance of protecting endangered species.
In the early hours of Tuesday 3rd November 2026, the Animal Care Team were delighted to discover female chimpanzee, Tara had given birth to a healthy baby.
The team are especially excited as this is their second chimpanzee birth of the year, following the arrival of Kiera in January. The two youngsters share a special family connection, as they are both granddaughters of the late Billy Jo, mum of Tara and Kora, and it is lovely to see another generation of her family continuing to grow at the Zoo. Kiera is, of course, very curious about the new arrival, and it is wonderful to see how well the group are getting along together.
The Animal Care Team are keeping a close eye on mum, dad and their new arrival, as they spend these precious early days bonding together. They are pleased to report that mum, baby and dad Napoleon are all doing really well.
Chimpanzees are currently listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, facing a number of threats in the wild, from habitat loss and deforestation to hunting, making this birth especially important for the conservation and future of this species.
Did you know? Chimpanzees live in complex social groups and form strong family bonds. Young chimpanzees depend on their mothers for several years, learning important skills such as finding food, communicating and interacting with other members of their group.
Visitors will no doubt be excited to catch a glimpse of the newest arrival, but the team kindly asks that everyone keeps noise to a minimum when visiting Chimpanzee Lookout, allowing the new family time and space to settle.
Keep an eye on the Zoo's website and social media channels for the latest updates.
Image credit: ©Nina Day