George, Knoxville Zoo's charismatic baby chimpanzee, is turning two years old on July 19. To kick off his birthday weekend, George and the rest of the chimpanzee troupe will celebrate with frozen treats at the Chimp Ridge exhibit on Friday, July 16 at 1:00 p.m., and visitors are invited out to enjoy their antics.

A precocious two-year-old and Knoxville Zoo's most popular resident, George stays busy playing with his favorite toys and the zoo's six other chimpanzees. He also enjoys interacting with visitors and can often be found engaging guests at the Chimp Ridge viewing area in the mornings or having a rambunctious swing-fest in the Chimp Courtyard. The darling of the chimpanzee troupe, George has especially close relationships with his father, Jimbo, and Debbie and Bo, two of the females in the group who serve as surrogate "aunts".

George was born at Knoxville Zoo to mother Daisy and father Jimbo on July 19, 2008, the result of a breeding recommendation made by the Chimpanzee Species Survival Plan (SSP), which manages the breeding and placement of all chimpanzees in zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Chimpanzees are endangered in the wild, primarily due to illegal hunting for the bushmeat trade and widespread loss of chimpanzee habitats inAfrica.

"He's definitely got personality," says Amy Flew, curator of mammals at Knoxville Zoo. "It's been so much fun watching him grow over the last two years, and our visitors have enjoyed it just as much as we have."

 Knoxville Zoo is Knoxville's largest year-round attraction. Located off exit 392A from Interstate 40, the zoo is open every day except Christmas Day. Knoxville Zoo is nationally accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and is committed to the highest standards in animal care and well-being, ethics, conservation, and education. Currently, the zoo is open daily from 9:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Admission and ticket sales stop one-hour before the zoo closes. Next-day admission is free after 3 p.m. For more information, please call 865-637-5331 ext. 300 or visit www.knoxville-zoo.org.