World Chimpanzee Day | Shanghai Zoo Event Review

To celebrate World Chimpanzee Day and raise awareness about biodiversity conservation, Shanghai Roots & Shoots hosted a special event at Shanghai Zoo on July 20th. . The event combined nature tours and educational lectures, giving participants a chance to dive deep into the world of primates, exploring their daily lives, behaviors, and the vital role of biodiversity protection—showing how humans and nature can coexist in harmony.

Guided Tour: Discovering Intelligent Life

The morning sun filtered through the leaves, casting shadows on the pathways of Shanghai Zoo. As the event kicked off, staff handed out nature exploration kits to the kids, including animal observation worksheets and activity cards. The children eagerly dug into their kits, their excitement palpable as they set off on their adventure.

Led by experienced YES mentor Mr. Huwei, the group ventured along a tree-lined path, stopping at various primate exhibits—from ring-tailed lemurs and marmosets to mandrills, baboons, gibbons, golden snub-nosed monkeys, gorillas, orangutans, and, of course, chimpanzees. Sunlight streamed through the glass walls, and kids pressed their faces against observation windows, jotting down notes as they absorbed every word of the fascinating explanations.

At the baboon exhibition area, the dominant male sat majestically on a wooden platform. Huwei explained the species’ complex social hierarchies, and the kids took notes, learning firsthand about primate hierarchies.When the tour reached the golden snub-nosed monkeys, Huwei sparked curiosity by asking,  “These monkeys are known for their upturned noses, but how do they handle rainy days?” After letting the children guess, Huwei revealed that their uniquely shaped nasal passages keep water out—an evolutionary adaptation.

Next, the group moved on  to the gibbon exhibit, where Huweidemonstrated their unique brachiation locomotion by extending his arms to mimic their movement. “Notice how their arms are longer than their legs,” he pointed out, pointing to the ropes overhead by the observation windows. Just then, a gibbon suddenly leaped  from its perch and effortlessly swinging across the ropes right in front of the kids, leaving them in awe.

As the midday sunlight grew hotter, the guided nature tour came to an end. Following a short lunch break, the chimpanzee class part started. 

Wisdom in Action: From Insight to Impact – Exploring Jane Goodall’s Legacy & Primate Enrichment Workshop

After a short lunch break, the group gathered for a unique “Chimpanzee Workshop.” The classroom projector displayed a footage of Dr. Jane Goodall’s groundbreaking research in the African wilderness. Xiao Xia, Communications Manager of Shanghai Roots & Shoots, told the audience the story of Dr. Jane Goodall when she studied Chimpanzee at Gombe National Park in Tanzania. They watched in amazement as a chimpanzee used a stick to “fish” for termites—one of Dr. Goodall’s revolutionary discoveries in primate tool use.The kids were visibly excited as the footage brought Dr. Goodall’s pioneering work to life. Through these vivid visuals, they learnt about the intelligence of primates and gained a deeper understanding of Dr. Goodall’s legacy.

Next, Huwei shared insights into chimpanzee behavior and the practice of animal enrichment—a conservation technique that helps to improve the quality of life for animals living in zoosby encouraging natural behaviors and preventing stereotypic patterns.

“Environmental enrichment involves creating environments that meet the physical and psychological needs of animals,” Huwei explained and demonsted with examples: cardboard boxes filled with hay to encourage foraging,  tires used as swings, and even simple rope knots to spark curiosity. The children listened attentively, their widened eyes and occasional “aha” moments reflecting a growing understanding of these innovative welfare techniques.

The most exciting part was the hands-on enrichment workshop, where participants repurposed old items—such as tennis balls, cardboard boxes, fabrics, and ropes—into innovative enrichment toys for the animals. The workshop was buzzing with energy as the kids crafted everything from “aerial feeders” made from rope nets to cardboard puzzle boxes,  “treat shakers”  created from used tennis balls.

As the session wrapped up, children eagerly discussed their creations: “Do you think the chimps will like my toy?” and “I wonder if they can solve the puzzle I designed!”  This wasn’t just a fun activity; the hands-on experience gave them a profound understanding of  how enrichment can improve the welfare of animals.

As the event came to a close, participants reflected on on the morning’s nature tour and the afternoon’s creative workshops. Each experience deepened their understanding of these intelligent primates and their importance in conservation efforts.Dr. Jane Goodall’s timeless words echoed in the air: “Only if we understand, can we care. Only if we care, will we help. Only if we help, shall all be saved.” In this spirit, Shanghai Roots & Shoots reaffirmed its commitment to expanding environmental education programs, empowering more community members to  get involved in wildlife protection and collectively safeguard Earth’s remarkable intelligent species.