Chimps become celebrity at Nepal’s central zoo

Nov 19, 2022

Lalitpur (Nepal), Nov 19 (ANI): A pair of chimpanzees in Nepal’s central zoo in Jawalakhel has attained a celebrity status. Named as Champa and Chimpu, the pair was rescued from trafficking in 2017 by Nepal’s secret service agency- CIB. They were just a few months old when they first rescued by security agencies. After 5 years of special care, the couple was introduced to public in late April this year. The people are swarming the Central Zoo in Lalitpur district of Nepal to catch glimpses of the playful chimp couple. Amongst the 900 animals of 113 species in the central zoo, the chimpanzees have now become the center of attraction. Over one million visitors come to see the animals at the Central Zoo annually. The chimpanzees are considered as vulnerable wild life animals. They are protected under Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species- CITES. Thus, it is illegal to transport, sale or purchase them dead or alive as per the international law.