Dublin Zoo say Lucy a baby chimpanzee has been successfully reintroduced to her family.
Lucy had to be hand reared by zookeeper Gerry Creighton at his own home until she was sixteen months old, as her mother did not have the skills to care for her.
Reintroducing Lucy to her family involved daily visits to the other chimps in Dublin Zoo. While there she was carefully supervised by zookeepers as she became acquainted with their habits and smells. The challenge for Dublin Zoo staff was to carefully monitor the behaviour of the other chimpanzees.
Lucy was then introduced to a small group which included her grandmother Judy and mother Mandy, and their relationship is thriving.
The bond between the two is getting stronger all the time.
It is hoped that Lucy will eventually meet the rest of the chimpanzees at Dublin Zoo in their African Plains enclosure.
A News2Day report broadcast on 21 September 2005. The reporter is Sabrina Phelan Bakar.
