Antwerp Zoo is expecting its first chimpanzee birth in 32 years. Marit is the expectant mother, but the identity of the father has not yet been confirmed.
For years, the Flemish zoo's female chimpanzees used birth control. In 2022, however, the zoo received permission to start breeding again from the European Herd-Book of the species.
Marit (18) and Mia (15) were therefore given the opportunity to reproduce naturally. The females swiftly resumed a regular cycle and Marit is now expecting.
Male chimpanzees Tambuzi and Tuma – the last chimps to be born in Antwerp – both mated with Marit. A DNA test will therefore be carried out after the birth to confirm the father's identity.
The gestation period for a chimpanzee lasts approximately eight and a half months. Marit's baby is due to arrive in December or January.
