Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-30
HAS HUMAN WAYS.
An Interesting ChfmpanAee In the
New York Zoo.

An Interesting Chfmpankee In the
New York Zoo.
From the New York World.
OF the many distinguished foreigners
now in this city the most interesting is
probably Johanna, known as the betrothed
of the late lamented Chiko. No other Wis
itor possesses similar claims to public con-
sideration.
Chiko was surely most extraordinary
ape. He was about as near human as any
animal which ever came under the observ-
ing eyes of New Workers. And now Miss
Johanna, after years education in the
Central Park zoo, seems to have developed
an intelligence and wisdom quite equal to
the late Chiko.
Johanna belongs to the chimpanzee fam
lily Of West Africa, and holds very high
position in ape society. The chimpanzee Is
generally regarded as second only to the
gorilla. There is little doubt that Johanna
would occupy a prominent position in hui
man society in many parts Of her native
land
Johanna occupies an apartment in the
old arsenal building in Central Park, and
she holds general reception every day.
Her keeper declares that he has observed
in her traits Of character bearing certain
resemblance to those which distinguish
woman from man. Anybody, he says. can
see the same thing for himself by devoting
He finds that she is orderly, clearly.
cheerful, affectionate and patient She
only uses bad language on severe provoca-
ton, and is iii general as well behaved as
a chimpanzee is ever likely to be-
She loves to keep the home bright and
cheerful, and If the scantiest material were
allowed her she would undoubtedly busy
herself constructing coy corners. 1t is
understood that she has hopes Of doing
something in this way, but menagerie and
circus authorities are unfavorable to her
plans. She thinks she could produce pretty
decorative effects with hats. eyeglasses,
feathers, scarfpins, scarf false fronts and
other contributions from visitors.
One of the best times to gain an idea Of
her breakfast This consists almost en-
tirely of fruit. Her diet, in fact, is practi-
cally limited to fruit Before eating she
spreads out newspaper with her hands
and aTranges the food daintily on it.
For breakfast she usually gets lemon
and liberal supply of oranges and ba-
nanaS. She peels them very neatly, and
puts the Feelings with care on one side of
the newspaper
Sometimes the fancy will take her to lift
up the newspaper and pitch the contents
in somebody's face. This Mr.. McCabe re-
CARDS as feminine caprice.
One of Johanna's qualities, which does
not carry out the human analogy, is an
ability to aim with remarkable correctness.
sne can hit tbs passer's nose with piece
OF orange peel or paper whenever she tries.
Her language, according to her keeper, is
portuguese. She spent two years in Lis
bon before She came here, and became &C
customed to hearing the language of that
place at the period when the chimpanzee
begins to understand. She is now about
twelve years old and has reached her adult
age. chimpanzee in a natural state may
live, 1t is computed, to be about sixty
There Is very little prospect, however that
one living in captivity in a northern eli
mate would attain that age.
Johanna is expected to grow yet, both In
80
from her playfulness.
After breakfast her keeper gives her a
glass OF port with an egg. The delicate
state of her health requires this combina-
ton of. stimulant and nourishment She
appreciates this feature of her diet very
thoroughly. After taking in the port wine
ana egg she pats her stomach and smiles
archly at Mr.. McCabe.
Johanna Is fed at irregular intervals
throughout the day with fruits and nuts.
The object is to give her as nearly as pos
Sble a natural diet.
Wine Is also given to her more than once
day. Like all monkeys, she shows a
strong liking for alcoholic stimulants 1t
Is to be feared that If she had the oppor-
When Mr.. McCabe gives her a drink OF
wine he holds the bottle in his own hands,
and tells her in Portuguese to keep her
nands at her sides She obeys him. but
SHOWS. lnvoluntarily perhaps, some diff
Guilty in keeping her hands Off the bottle.
Every morning she looks over a news
paper very carefully. showing preference.
It is thought. for the illustrated portions
sometimes she will stop her reading, roll
the paper in a ball and throw it at a spec
tatoT- Alter eating she uses a tooth pick
and splits like real American man,
Her voice is painfully human. It is ex-
erted most powerfully when her keeper an
noys her by humming. Then she screams
at the top of her voice until he stops. At
the same time she walks up and down her
cage. stamping her ample feet on the floor.
Johanna walks sometimes upright on her
hind legs, and sometimes on these and the
knuckles. She never walks on the fat of
the hands.