Christmas at MONA is always very special for us, firstly because it’s very quiet and peaceful for the primates; there are less carers working and there are not so many visitors or maybe because we transmit to them the spirit of these special days for everybody.

After a very cold week, Christmas days have been warm and sunny so the chimps and macaques really appreciate it. Have you ever seen how macaques sun bathing? They look like they are meditating and absorbing all the rays.

We all have made wishes for this New Year; we just hope serenity and health for everybody and we hope to see Africa running and laughing with Juanito and Nico in the outside enclosure. We know that Africa's introduction will take a while; she is taking time to trust other chimps, but she has made a “new” friend: Romie. This is our present to you: Africa grooming Romie.

Enrichment of the week: Mint tea in a bottle with seeds inside and an extra Christmas item, chocolate bonbon!. Who has enough with only one chocolate bonbon?, they all where asking “give more of this, please”.

 Thank you and best wishes for 2010.

 Alba Gomara