On Wednesday 2nd April, we were delighted to welcome the arrival of male chimpanzee, Napoleon, also known as Napo, as part of an EEP (EAZA Ex situ Programme) breeding recommendation.
Napoleon, aged 27 years old, arrived from Bioparc Fuengirola, Spain in the hope that he will bond with our resident females and help towards the conservation of their species. When he first arrived at CZS, Napoleon was not introduced into the same area as the females initially to allow them time to get used to one another at a distance.
At the end of April 2025, Napoleon was integrated into our female group and began interacting with Kora, Talia and Tara. Our Animal Care Team are pleased to report that the troop are getting on very well and have been observed grooming one another. Napoleon is easy to tell apart from the females as he is much larger in size and can often be seen rolling about on the floor.
This transfer comes as part of an EEP breeding recommendation. Each EEP has a coordinator who is assisted by a species committee. The coordinator collects information on the species in all EAZA zoos and aquaria, produces a studbook, carries out demographical and genetical analysis, and produces a plan for future management of the species.
Chimpanzees are currently listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and face a number of threats out in the wild, including habitat loss from deforestation as well as being hunted for bushmeat. Therefore, EEP Breeding Programmes are incredibly important for the overall conservation of these animals.
Be sure to stop by our Chimpanzee Lookout habitat during your visit at CZS and see if you can spot our new male, Napoleon.
