Project Chimps Responds to Incident; Chimpanzee Safely Returned to Habitat After Accessing Building Roof
Morganton, Georgia — Project Chimps successfully resolved a short-lived incident today involving a recently arrived chimpanzee who briefly left his primary enclosure, although at all times he stayed within the sanctuary’s perimeter fencing.
The chimpanzee, Tory, arrived at the sanctuary earlier this year and was spending time in the South Peachtree Habitat alongside eight other chimpanzees. While staff did not directly observe the events that led to the incident, they believe social tensions common during the process of Tory integrating into his new group may have prompted Tory to seek a route back to the indoor area where he feels most comfortable.
Rather than finding an approved path back inside, Tory accessed the rooftop area of the building in which he resides, and stayed there until he was safely returned to his appropriate enclosure. At no point did he appear to want to leave the sanctuary, nor did he come near the sanctuary’s perimeter which adds an additional layer of protection for chimpanzees and the public.
Upon identifying the situation, chimp care staff immediately initiated a standard, well-defined response for which they have all been trained and regularly practice. To ensure absolute protection and safety, any onsite guests, volunteers, and non-essential personnel were escorted to designated safe locations while the sanctuary’s Safety Response Team mobilized. Simultaneously, all other chimpanzees were successfully recalled to their indoor facilities, secured, and accounted for.
“Our team responded exactly as trained,” said Ali Crumpacker, Executive Director. “The safety of our chimpanzees, guests, volunteers, staff, and the broader community is always our highest priority, and today’s response demonstrates the strength of our emergency preparedness and containment procedures.”
Staff initially provided Tory with opportunities to voluntarily return to an appropriate area. Eventually, the sanctuary’s trained dart team, under the guidance of Project Chimps’ veterinarian, safely sedated Tory and got him back to his enclosure. He was examined by veterinary staff and is doing well.
Project Chimps extends its sincere appreciation to all guests, volunteers, and visitors who remained calm and cooperated fully with staff directions throughout the incident. We also remain deeply grateful to the Blue Ridge community for its continued support of this unique sanctuary for chimpanzees retired from biomedical research.
As a sanctuary home to retired research chimpanzees, Project Chimps regularly conducts emergency preparedness training and maintains multiple layers of containment and response procedures designed to protect both chimpanzees and people. Today’s incident was resolved without injury to any member of the public, or to any chimpanzee, staff member, volunteer, or guest.