Chimpanzees Fritz and Frederike to AAP

Chimp Fritz, nick-name Fritzi, and his long-time friend Frederike have been through a lot while living in Tierpark Kalletal in Germany. They went through good as well as bad times. German authorities closed the bankrupted zoo down and Fritz and Frederike are now able to enjoy their well deserved retirement at AAP. On monday March 29 they made their journey to their new shelter in Almere.

Fritzi

Fritzi was born in the Munich Zoo. Fully grown and mature he moved to Tierpark Kalletal. Fritz exact age is unknown. Hes a very friendly and curious animal and loves to play with people. This gentleman indeed prefers blondes.

Frederike

36 year old Frederike was born in the wild in Ruwanda. She was captured when she was little (her mother most likely was killed during this event) and was kept in a gunny! A missionairy quite rightly found this situation unexeceptable and bought her free. As from 1989 she lived in Tierpark Kalletal. Frederike is the most reserved. She loves to solve our so called food puzzles.

Tierpark Kalletal

Tierpark Kalletal was founded by doctor Heinrich Stocksmeier in 1969. This small zoo was home to about 100 domestic and exotic animals back then. In 1995, the zoo got a different owner, after yet another change of ownership in 2009, the problems started. Financial problems together with the fact no new licence was given, made the future for the chimpanzees uncertain.

At AAP

The next three months Fritz and Frederike will remain in quarantine. After that both of them will join one of the smaller already existing groups of chimps. Which group this is going to be depends, among others, on the character and fysical condition of our duo from Germany.