Some of our most integral members to the Project Chimps team aren’t the staff, volunteers, or even the chimps – they’re our golf carts and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) that make up our fleet. If it needs to be done, one of our ATVs is involved. They work hard each day, have their assigned duties like our staff, and they even have their own personalities just like the chimps. You can learn more about chimp personalities here.
Two of our hardworking carts are looking for that special someone to sponsor and name them. They have their own nicknames among the staff, sure…but they have yet to find that special person!
Read on to learn about our “bachelor” and “bachelorette” ATVs, along with the rest of the fleet.
Meet the ATV Fleet
Chief the Leader
Chief is on duty with our Emergency Response Coordinator (ERC) every day. Chief was made possible by The American Anti-Vivisection Society (AAVS). He gets around quickly and is ready to respond to any situation, whether it’s getting our ERC around the sanctuary for everyday tasks to responding to an emergency, Chief is in charge of the situation. Chief is a green Cushman and has the flexibility to add doors or haul supplies as needed.
Chief may be the leader, but Fancy and Barb have been here since before the beginning, as they came with the property.
Barb the Tom-Boy
Barb is a red Kawasaki and she helps maintenance keep our facility in top shape. Barb also has a little brother, Mater—no, Mater isn’t a Cars reference, it’s because we’re in the South and he looks like a tomato—who also performs maintenance duties each day. Barb was named after a woman with red hair, and the name stuck. If you’re into hard-working redheads, she’s your gal. And she’ll be the first to tell you that “There’s no excuse for animal abuse.” (Because she wears that tag on her bumper.)
Mator the Little Brother
Fancy the Golden Girl
Fancy’s name, much to my personal disappointment, is not a Reba reference. Fancy was just fancier than Barb. While she isn’t the fanciest ATV on property any longer, as a gold Kawasaki, she’s a luxurious and roomy ride. She has the ability to get her tires dirty pulling a trailer or carrying food, supplies, hay bales, or occasionally providing a ride for guests when needed. She works hard for to care for the chimps and it’s always a pleasure to see her headed your way with the wonderful people that do the same.
Zippy the Speed Demon
Zippy is usually found with our care staff handling day-to-day duties related to behavioral and medical care. A tan EZ-GO, the name fits, Zippy gets around and gets things done efficiently. He is was also generously made possible by AAVS.
Louie the Gardner
Louie, a John Deere Gator, was generously donated by the Champa King Family and named in memory of a beloved brother. Louie is dressed in green and assists with all our green-thumbed work – often found assisting with our browse program and Project Harvest.
Will you be their match?
With all of these named ATVs in our fleet, the newest members are feeling left out. Can you help us find that perfect match and officially name them?
The bachelor
Our red Polaris Ranger Crew is the fanciest ATV we have at the sanctuary. Aptly nicknamed Fancier, this cart can do all the same things as Fancy, and more. More room, more power, more gets done with this cart. He handles day to day tasks and even assists in transporting the chimps. And he’s looking for his match to provide him with a name for a generous donation of $10,000.
The bachelorette
Our Blue Polaris spends each day working hard with our facilities team to make sure everything is in good repair. From making repairs to taking fuel to the other carts when they run out, this cart, lovingly nicknamed Bertha, makes sure our people get to where they need to go quickly and safely. She ensures the safety of the entire sanctuary each day, and she too, is looking for a sponsor.
Other naming options
In addition to our two nameless carts, we have various naming donation options available, from benches to entire outdoor areas. Even the cabin where our talented interns live in is available to be named by you or in honor of someone you wish to pay tribute too. You can read more about all our options here.
A naming opportunity is a fun and unique way to support the chimps. We hope you will consider naming one of these available vehicles or help us purchase more for the fleet in the future with a generous donation by contacting us today.
We couldn’t provide the exemplary care to our resident chimps every day or expand our sanctuary for more chimps to call home without the generosity of those who also know it’s their time to live.
