Spotlight on Primates by Kay Tiller, Executive Regional Editor With the help of a number of Dallas-based corporations and individuals, The Dallas Zoo has gained the title of "The Best African Zoo Exhibit" from The Zoo Book-- A Guide to America's Best. Chimpanzees and gorillas now are able to "roam" through their own habitat, and are making the most of it-- especially during the city's warmer than usual winter this year. The 19,000 square foot Kimberly-Clark Chimpanzee Forest was built with both a $1 million gift from the international corporation-- which makes its home in Las Colinas, just west of Dallas-- and funds from a 1995 City of Dallas bond election, which specified the upgrading of the Dallas Zoo. The extremely "natural" area features a waterfall and stream, climbing structures, trees and rocks that are heated in the winter and cooled in the summer-- "the better to view the endangered chimps, you know!" And one of the truly natural inclusions is an artificial termite mound (a natural feeding spot for chimps in the wild) into which the "residents" can fish with long sticks for special treats, such as peanut butter and honey. They combine those treats with nibbles from the more than 40 edible plants in their area, and, of course, their "zoo food." The Portico Group of Seattle, Washington designed the Chimpanzee Forest to be comparable in every way possible to what the primates experience in the wild. Prior to this, the chimps spent their time in cages at the zoo. Today, people can get close to the chimps. They can see them either from a covered area beside the forest, or they can meet them eye-to-eye behind a glass wall that overlooks the entire habitat... it's funny, but the chimps seem to get a kick out of not only looking at, but also mimicking the humans who come to see them. There is also a relatively new monorail that travels above the entire Wilds of Africa, so guests can look down on the chimps in their natural space. In addition to their half-acre outdoor space, the chimps also have a 3,000 square foot indoor quarters building with common rooms, bedrooms and drinking fountains. Again intended to be pleasing to its residents, the indoor area features hand-holds in the walls for climbing, sleep platforms at varying levels and two exits from every room so the chimps can move easily from one room to another. The ceilings and walls are painted in blue and pale pink. A most interesting group of chimps now inhabit the exhibit. There is 40-year old Toby and his counterpart male, Mookie, who is eight. Then there are the five females, BonBon, who is 39, and her lady friends-- Missy, 32; Koko, 12; Victoria; 8 and Chloe, 5. One of the most interesting sights these days is KC, Missy's two year-old baby, who was named in honor of Kimberely Clark. The Dallas Zoo has an interesting history. It was founded in 1888 in a section of Dallas known as Oak Cliff (formerly a city across the Trinity River from Dallas), and has been a popular visiting place for all Dallasites for many years. Until recently, however, many of the "old" ways were prevalent at the zoo. Concrete cages for the primates and the big cats... an indoor aviary for the birds... and the usual spaces for snakes, lemurs, and meerkats... were all standard exhibits. Today, that has all changed-- or will in the near future. The gorillas also have a new habitat, courtesy of a Dallas oil man. Designed to be as close to the lowland gorilla's natural habitat as possible, the Jake L. Hamon Gorilla Conservation Research Center contains two acres and replicates the natural African environment in which these endangered animals live. According to zoo officials, "The Wilds of Africa was designed to provide optimum comfort and safety for the animal inhabitants first, with considerations of human needs built around those requirements." The gorilla exhibit, as well as the Chimpanzee Forest, adhere to this philosophy beautifully. Interestingly, fog nozzles are placed throughout the area to simulate the humid and misty atmosphere of the rain forests in which the gorillas thrive. There are also more than 5,000 plants, including blackberries and grapevines that allow the gorillas to forage for food as they do in their African habitat. Rocky outcroppings, thick grasses, waterways for splashing and drinking, and heated rocks for warmth on cold days are also part of the scene... a scene, unlike the chimpanzee exhibit, that minimizes the gorillas' interaction with humans. Special below-grade viewing bunkers, observation platforms, and camouflaged viewing blinds allow Zoo visitors to watch the gorillas without disturbing them. These are just two of the Wilds of Africa exhibits. Other projects under construction include the EXXON Endangered Tiger Exhibit. Through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, EXXON made a very generous gift to the Save the Tiger Fund, and it is this gift which is being used to build a spacious exhibit and breeding facility for the endangered big cats. Tall steel pillars are lined up along the walkway that viewers will use to see the tigers. These pillars, although painted to look like bamboo, form a perfect protective shield so the tigers cannot reach the public that has come to see them, yet it does not disturb the viewing of the cats below. This exhibit is slated to open late this spring. Last year, the new A.H. Meadows Animal Health Care Facility opened through a generous gift from the Meadows Foundation and members of the Dallas Zoological Society. The new 15,000 square foot facility will include not only the latest technology in veterinary science, but will have areas for diagnostic procedures and even a quarantine area and intensive care unit. The little animals have not been forgotten, either. The Meerkats have their own area with tall mounds of sand which they climb to be the "sentry," watching for anything that could harm the group. The Lemurs now have their own area just beyond the zoo gates and a lot of the hoofed animals, like the Nubian Ibex, okapi, and others are ensconced in the Wilds of Africa area. The only area not handicapped accessible throughout the Dallas Zoo is a small rock climbing area near the okapi exhibit. The monorail leaves from a plaza decorated with colorful African designs. And, one thing which no one misses when they go to the Dallas Zoo is the "Zoo Giraffe" (see pg 52)-- the welcoming statue at the entrance to the zoo off Interstate 35E. This statue-- with its tongue sticking out-- is the tallest statue in Texas. (It's the tongue that makes the difference!) Just another "best" for the fabulous and continually getting better Dallas Zoo. (Sure, I'm prejudiced... I was born in Dallas, but I also go to every zoo I can find, and this one matches-- or betters-- every one I have ever seen.) lasn