*Chimpanzee youngster Lisoko goes wild on a hammock and Lady the ex-ice-skating chimp steps in.*
This is the chimpanzee group from ZOOM Erlebniswelt in Gelsenkirchen. I hope I’ve got the names right! I’m pretty sure it’s Lisoko having the time of his life, launching himself into the hammock like a tiny acrobat. Born on 25th Feb 2022, he should invite orangutans Jim and Joe to join in—those two love a good hammock bounce as well!
For the short time I watched, Lisoko proved to be quite the independent, playful little troublemaker. Outside, he enjoys a VIP ride on mum Jahaga’s back.
Back inside, things get loud. Lisoko lets out an ear-piercing scream as Kojo grabs his foot—chimp revenge is swift, though, and suddenly Lisoko is the one chasing Kojo! That’s when Lady, the adult chimp, steps in to calm things down. And she’s no ordinary chimp—according to the plaque outside, she once starred in the famous show Holiday on Ice, skating on an actual ice rink! Now nearly 50 years old, zookeepers describe her as strong-willed, loud, and completely uninterested in following orders. A true diva of the chimp world. I tried to find more about her ice-skating days, but it seems she’s keeping that part of her past mysterious.

Jahaga, on the other hand, was once considered the smartest chimp at Leipzig Zoo and even earned the title Star of the Max Planck Institute. As a mum, she’s impressively chill, often letting Lisoko explore on his own or play with the younger chimps.

Lisoko was the youngest chimp in the group—until recently when Lio Amari was born!