New Historical Exhibit Showcases Primates at the Virginia Zoo

Homo sapiens of all ages can enter the former home of "Chuck and Judy"

Norfolk, VA (SEPT. 25, 2009) - The Virginia Zoo is opening a new primate exhibit showcasing the world's most abundant primate species – homo sapiens!

 “It seems like everyone who comes to the Zoo jokes that one of their family members is a monkey and should stay here,” notes Greg Bockheim, executive director. “Now, we’ve created a fun, new exhibit where families can take pictures of their loved ones in the Zoo's oldest primate cage – a great photo for the family album or Facebook page!”

Bockheim adds, “Longtime Zoo visitors will remember chimpanzees Chuck and Judy and their famous exhibit located in what is now our entry plaza.  We’ve dusted off that enclosure (built in 1930s) and set it back up inside the Zoo. Visitors will be able to walk into the chimps’ former home and get photos of themselves ‘on exhibit’.”

The purpose of this new exhibit is not only to create a unique photo opportunity, but to educate visitors about how all zoos have evolved in the way they display and build homes for animals.

For over 100 years, the Virginia Zoo was home to a variety of animals that became beloved in the community – from the four lion cubs born in May 2009 to chimpanzees Chuck and Judy whose antics fascinated Hampton Roads residents in the 1970s and ‘80s.

In the early years, zoos displayed animals in small spaces, so visitors could get closer to what was often considered to be exotic, living art. Exhibits then were designed more for public viewing than for the social and psychological welfare of the animal.  Then in the 1970s, there was a shift in philosophy that focused on "behavioral ecology" -- a time when understanding animal behavior began to change the way zoos displayed animals.  With this ideological change, zoos across the country began creating larger exhibit spaces that resemble the animal’s natural habitat.

This new exhibit, Chuck and Judy’s former enclosure, features signage explaining the history of the zoo industry and the Virginia Zoo.  The Virginia Zoo has collected an extensive assortment of guests’ photos dating back to the early 1900s. Many were donated by Zoo visitors after a request was issued to the public last winter. Some of these photos are featured in the exhibit and others will be used for future historical presentations on the Zoo’s website and through other publications. The new historical exhibit is located near the birds of prey exhibits – across from the old sea lion pool, another favorite animal from Zoo visitors’ past.

Come visit the Virginia Zoo daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to see the new historical exhibit, lion cubs, baby bongos and our other 350 animals – while making happy memories with your family.