The Lincoln Park Zoological Society

Vote for Kioja at the Kansas City Zoo-

Meet Kioja! Known for her happy wiggles and pearly white smile, Kioja has been a crowd favorite at the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium since 1994. You can often find Kioja wiggling, whether she's going onto habitat, receiving favorite treats such as grapes, or participating in training sessions. She knows many behaviors including maternal and voluntary ultrasounds. Enrichment is also a favorite of hers, and she enjoys showing off her creativity through painting. Kioja is smart and enjoys figuring out manipulative items such as fishers mimicking a termite mound. When Kioja is not training or enjoying enrichment, she can often be found playing chase or follow the leader and giggling with many of the other chimpanzees in the troop.

Vote for Chloe at the Oregon Zoo-

Chloe has the most personality in our troop. She came to the Oregon Zoo at 6 years old after being kept as a pet/entertainment chimpanzee and was able to integrate with others around her age, carving her spot in the group. At 55 years young she serves as a matriarch for chimpanzee and keepers alike. Chloe has a sweet personality - but don’t let that fool you! She will quickly ward off other chimpanzees if they come too close to “her” food. She enjoys lying in her elaborate nests, often tucking herself in to almost zero visibility. Some of her favorite items are ice, hose water, flower petals, and grapes. Wise beyond her years, Chloe has us all wrapped around her finger.

Vote for Stevie at the Knoxville Zoo-

Renowned chimpanzee expert and advocate Steve Ross passed away just two days before the birth of a baby chimp at Zoo Knoxville. Her name did not take long to decide on. Stevie was named after Dr. Ross. Stevie is a playful and inquisitive 3-year-old chimpanzee, born on Earth Day 2022 to Binti and Ripley. After her mother experienced post-birth complications, Stevie was hand-reared by keeper staff for six months. She was later introduced to her surrogate “aunties,” Daisy and Jambo, who have since guided her through all the important lessons of chimp life. Stevie is as sharp and savvy as a young chimp can be. She’s endlessly curious, eager to learn, and has a special knack for connecting with both her troop and zoo guests—especially at the viewing windows. Never far from her favorite blanket, Stevie is a master nest builder (even if she doesn’t always sleep in them). Her favorite treats? Grapes and bananas—just the fuel she needs for her next great adventure

Vote for Mookie at the Dallas Zoo-

Mookie is 35 years old and has been at Dallas Zoo since 1995. He is currently the alpha of the troop. Mookie prefers to spend his time with the troop's 3 other adult males Kona, Nalu, and George, and he can frequently be found grooming, playing, or patrolling with them. Mookie appears to enjoy infants and has even been observed carrying them on his back and his belly. Mookie's favorite foods include applesauce, tofu, and peanut butter. He will often blow raspberries (which sometimes lovingly comes with spit) if he does not get these items in what he deems a timely manner. Mookie is the best with new chimps. He is often the tone setter for introductions, and we have seen him start playing with new troop members on day one.

Vote for Scott at the Chattanooga Zoo-

Scott is a 38-year-old male chimpanzee living at Chattanooga Zoo. He is very active and playful, engaging with keepers, visitors, and the other chimps in our troop! Scott especially likes to play chase, running from window to window in his enclosure.

Vote for Mshindi at the LA Zoo-

Since arriving at the LA Zoo, 12-year-old Mshindi has settled in beautifully with our two resident boys who are also his age. With his charming good looks, he’s already caught the eye of several of our younger females. You can often hear his distinctive, excited vocalizations echoing through the day—and he’s not shy about expressing his opinions! If he thinks his favorite foods aren't being served in generous enough portions, you’ll get a very clear (and very silly) head bob of disapproval.

Vote for Jackson at the Oregon Zoo-

Jackson (age 52) is the best friend any chimpanzee could ask for. He always makes sure that everyone has a buddy when shifting and will leave no member of the troop behind. He is a happy go lucky fella who is the first to greet keepers when they arrive in the morning. His exuberance for life is obvious and brings a smile to staff and guests. His ability to connect with the public is unmatched by any other, which serves to help chimpanzees all over the world -- once you meet Jackson you love chimpanzees.

Vote for Miss Bubbles at the Detroit Zoo-

Bubbles is a 53-year-old female Chimpanzee from Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak, Michigan. She is the queen of naps, loves to sunbathe out on her habitat, and is the best auntie to our three youngsters. She is special to her keepers for so many reasons; she loves to give out kisses in the morning, she loves to get manicures, she makes happy vocalizations as soon as she sees us, and even happier vocalizations once she sees us carry in her breakfast. Sometimes she even gets so excited that she can’t even hold food in her mouth! Speaking of food, she has this weird obsession with green foods; green grapes, granny smith apples, key lime yogurt, green bananas, anything green you can find she will devour. She is the sweetest old lady who goes to the beat of her own drum.

Photo credit: Roy Lewis (Detroit Zoo Docent)