Written and translated by Farkas Zsuzsanna

There are many similarities between people and chimpanzees proving that we have evolved from a common ancestor. However, their number is decreasing due to our exploitation of Africa. The only way to change this hopeless situation by giving their natural habitats back or instead of this difficult process, provide them with the most natural runways in zoos. I have made some observations on chimps in the zoos of Győr and Veszprém to show that there are no significant behavioral differences between animals living in captivity and in the wild.

They live in closed social groups and strong relationship in the jungle, whilst spending their whole day on searching for food and water in common. Though, living in captivity has many negative effects, too; as artificial territory limits of their movement and the lack of any natural environmental stimuli make chimps bored and moody. Zoo-keepers try to make the life of apes more exciting and their artificial territory more suitable. Nowadays, in many zoos, environmental enrichment becomes even more accepted which is used for increasing animal welfare by satisfying behavioral needs, increasing exercise and optimizing the level of stimulation.

During my observations I could compare an obsolete runway (in Veszprém) to a modern runway (in Győr). In both of them clothes, strings and swings can be found which attract chimps at any time of the day. When they use these creative tools, chimps develop their skills and make their social group connections stronger by playing and cooperating with their comrades. Visitors prefer modern runways to older ones since playful and motile animals are always more interesting and exciting. Scientists can also benefit from this: many aspects of human psyche such as aggression, problems of adolescence and mothers' behavior can be examined by observing apes. The result of the environmental experiences can put captive chimpanzees into better position since zoo-keepers and observers recognize their needs.