'Christmas with the Chimps' celebrates the chimpanzee population at Lion Country Safari

LOXAHATCHEE — Santa delivered gifts last week to the chimpanzees at Lion Country Safari. They frantically ripped through shiny wrapping paper and cardboard boxes filled with popcorn, blankets and stuffed animals as a group of visitors to the sanctuary watched with glee.

This year marked the 39th anniversary of the park’s annual "Christmas with the Chimps.” It was also the first Christmas for Lili, a baby chimp born last January in the western Palm Beach County preserve.

Haley McCann, a spokesperson for the animal preserve, said chimps love gifts as much as humans and look forward to the celebration every year.

"They know when it's coming," McCann said. “When we start decorating, they know what is going to happen, and they are building up with anticipation before we even ship them on the island.”

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The event is the only day in which visitors of the drive-by safari are allowed to get out of their cars and walk up to the observation area overlooking the chimp's island, which is decorated with paper garland, wrapped gifts and a Christmas tree.

McCann said a line of cars was already formed outside of the safari on Thursday, Dec. 21, with visitors eager to join in on the tradition.

Santa and his helpers scatter the gifts around the chimp's island the night before "Christmas with the Chimps." He arrives at Lion Country Safari on the magical Thursday morning riding a white safari truck to greet the crowd.

At 10:30 a.m. the park staff open the bridges that allow the chimps to scamper onto the Christmas-themed island.

The first group sprints to the gift boxes and starts to "pant hoot," the signature loud vocalization of chimps. The others follow, curiously running around the island and inspecting the shiny wrappers.

Irene, a 24-year-old female, grabbed one box between her lips, three on her left arm and one on her right and hurried up ladder to sit on the roof of a shelter. She tore open the gifts with Juniper, Lili’s mother, who has her child shyly wrapped round her stomach.

Tunk, Lili's 2-year-old brother, squeezed his head into the boxes and latter tossed them playfully.

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Ben, Lili and Tunk's father, picked a blue box and frantically ripped it using his teeth and pulling the sides with his hands. He sifted through the hay and indulged on the fresh fruit, unsalted popcorn, and dried nuts inside.

The chimps swung themselves through the ropes and playfully approached one another to compare and exchange goods.

Members of the crowd gasped and laughed as they stared at the chimps interacting with one other.

"It's so amazing to see the excitements from both sides," McCann said, "from the people and the chimps as well."

Why does Lion Country Safari celebrate 'Christmas with the chimps'?

Lion Country Safari, which opened its drive-thru trails in 1967, is home to 17 chimpanzees.

McCann said the ritual started as an annual event to stimulate the chimps and raise awareness for the critically endangered species with the community.

At Lion Country Safari, McCann said, animals don't have to worry about food or live in fear of predators. The park staff prepare enrichment activities so they remain mentally and physically active.

"They have more mental energy than if they were in the wild,” McCann said. "It is the way for us to make their lives interesting.”

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McCann said the event also gives visitors the opportunity to see and learn about the chimps up close. The species is considered critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, with populations in West Africa perishing due to disease, poaching and habitat loss from mining and deforestation.

"It amazing to see the families come back year after year," said McCann. “And for the public to have the opportunity to enjoy it with us and experience it as well.”

Valentina Palm covers Royal Palm Beach, Wellington, Loxahatchee and other western communities in Palm Beach County for The Palm Beach Post. Email her at vpalm@pbpost.com and follow her on Twitter at @ValenPalmB. Support local journalism: Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Chimpanzees celebrate Christmas at Lion Country Safari drive-thru zoo