The chimps can retreat towards the back of the enclosure, making it difficult to spot them beyond the fake rocks and grass. The size of the exhibit is impressive, but the pile of mock-rock is definitely distracting.
I'm laughing. What you are looking at is actually a waterfall... turned off due to introductions and then a baby born (and then the darn thing broke, on par to zoo life).
The chimpanzees LOVED the waterfall! Absolutely LOVED it. They never drank out of it, as guests would assume, but they would get sticks and such and play in the water at times. Mostly, it was a pain for keepers to keep clean, but overall, it was soothing sound for the chimps. But yeah, minus the water.. it isn't the most attractive. The rest of the exhibit is great though- and large. Yeah, the chimps go to the back where it's shady, as keepers we didn't mind this, as we always felt sometimes the chimps just do not want to be on "display"... but I can see how guests would be upset.
