His name is Zakayo, which in the local language means “chimpazee”. He is 44 years old and the oldest chimp at the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre. Chimps are very close relatives to humans. They exhibit similar behaviour like climbing, diving, kissing, hugging, using simple tools to dig for ants and giving birth in about same time as humans.

Zakayo has two wives who live together in same family. The wives share food together without any rivalry. The fatherly zakayo also spreads the love equally among all the offsprings in the family, though not at all produced by him. The older chimps pass on life’s lessons to the young ones in the group.

You ought to visit zakayo and his family. Chimpanzees learn the reputation of strangers indirectly by observation, as well as by first-time experience and this will determine either they become friendly or aggressive.

Zakayo and his entire family are very fascinating. The years spent at the centre have made him used to human interaction. He exhibites a great close relationship that reminds many of the visitors of their own families especially how he settles conflicts in his family.