We celebrated Easter with a bit of a twist this year – and our chimps had an absolute blast.
In the run-up to the holidays, we teamed up with two brilliant local schools – Kincardine-in-Menteith Primary and Doune Primary – to create a very special Easter egg hunt for our troop of chimpanzees. And no, we’re not talking chocolate – we’re talking colourful, handmade enrichment eggs packed with healthy treats!
The pupils got properly stuck in, crafting papier maché eggs using bright paints, natural materials, and even writing personal messages for the chimps. Each egg was totally unique, and each one designed with care to keep our chimps busy, curious, and engaged.
This hands-on project gave the children a real insight into the world of animal enrichment – a key part of how we care for the animals here at the park. It helps them stay mentally stimulated and physically active, just as they would be in the wild.
“The relationship between people and wildlife is so important, and projects like this help to inspire the next generation of conservationists,” said the park’s Education Team Leader Claire. “It’s wonderful to see young minds getting involved in enrichment, understanding how we care for our animals, and experiencing the joy of giving something back to nature. It has been fantastic to see the children’s creativity come to life, and the chimps certainly enjoyed their Easter egg hunt thanks to their hard work.”
And enjoy them they did! On the day of the big egg hunt, we placed the eggs around Chimp Island – hidden in bushes, tucked into tree stumps, and balanced on platforms. It was a proper treasure hunt – and watching them investigate, forage and figure things out was a real joy.
For the pupils, it was a chance to see the direct impact of their efforts. And for us, it was a brilliant reminder of how meaningful these community projects can be – not just for our animals, but for the next generation of wildlife champions too.
A huge thank you to everyone at Kincardine-in-Menteith and Doune Primary. We loved working with you – and we can’t wait to team up again!