• Question: What is the most amazing encounter you had with an ape/monkey of some kind?

    Asked by katedoran to Richard on 14 Jun 2011.
    • Photo: Richard Badge

      Richard Badge answered on 14 Jun 2011:

      Hi katedoran,

      I must admit that I love having a chance to be associated with the chimpanzees at our local zoo (Twycross Zoo – go if you ever have the chance).

      Our work does not involve getting in the enclosure withethe chimpanzees – only the keepers do that, but I did have a funny experience while doing a “pitch” for a pilot TV programme about our work…

      I had to do 60 second sound bite about why we were studying chimpanzees and the cameraman suggested that I do it in front of the glass wall across the enclosure. We rehearsed dozens of times with an empty enclosure in the background… When it came to the final take all the chimpanzees came racing out and larked about behind the camera – I am pretty sure that if anybody saw the footage they wouldn’t remember anything that I said because the chimpanzees were having to much fun in the background!

      Richard

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