A remarkable chimpanzee who narrowly avoided euthanasia after being rescued from a German circus has embarked on a fresh chapter of her life at Edinburgh Zoo. Babsie, a 33-year-old Eastern chimpanzee, was granted a second chance following the death of her circus owner and has now been relocated to Scotland's vibrant capital city.
From Circus Life to Sanctuary
Born into the demanding world of circus performance, Babsie was ultimately saved by the dedicated animal welfare charity AAP Animal Advocacy and Protection, which operates from its base in Almere, Netherlands. After spending several years under the care of this European rescue centre, she made the journey to Edinburgh Zoo in November 2025, ready to begin her new existence in a more naturalistic environment.
A Delicate Social Integration
Zoo management reports that the extraordinary primate has already endeared herself to her keepers by adapting smoothly to her surroundings and starting to forge connections with some of the female chimpanzees in the troop. Introducing a new chimpanzee to an established group is a significant challenge, given that these intelligent animals are intensely territorial and exist within intricate social structures.
Each introduction must be meticulously planned and executed at a gradual, measured pace to ensure success and minimise stress. The procedure typically begins with visual encounters through reinforced viewing windows, allowing the animals to observe one another safely. This is followed by carefully supervised one-to-one meetings with individual members of the troop, each step monitored closely by expert staff.
A Home on the Budongo Trail
Babsie now resides on the zoo's impressive Budongo Trail, which boasts an expansive outdoor habitat equipped with climbing frames and enrichment features. The area also includes a series of indoor pods designed to simulate the diverse conditions found in the African forests that are the natural home of chimpanzees.
Conservation Milestones
Her arrival coincides with the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) celebrating two decades of dedicated work aimed at protecting chimpanzees in Uganda. Wild chimpanzee populations continue to decline due to a combination of habitat destruction, illegal poaching activities, and the spread of disease.
Since 2005, RZSS – with crucial financial support from the People's Postcode Lottery – has collaborated with the Budongo Conservation Field Station in Uganda. This partnership merges advanced scientific research with practical, on-the-ground conservation efforts to help secure the future of this endangered species.
Members of the public wishing to observe Babsie and the rest of the chimpanzee troop can now reserve their admission tickets through the zoo's online booking system.
