Project Chimps Blog

By Morgan Kelly On April 25, 2025, Project Chimps resident Rusty turns 40! As the oldest chimp at the sanctuary, Rusty holds a special place in our hearts. But rest assured, he’s no dinosaur—even though he sounds like one with his iconic “Rusty Roar”! We’ll celebrate Rusty’s birthday with a special dinosaur birthday party.   A…

Have you ever looked into the eyes of a chimpanzee and wondered what stories they hold? At Project Chimps, a sanctuary nestled in the mountains of Morganton, Georgia, you can visit and find out!

Just like people, chimpanzees’ friendships are important as they care for each other, as seen by behaviors and time spent together.

While Leo loves the newspaper, he only sees it about once or twice a week. This is to keep the newspaper as a treat and preserve Leo’s fondness for it.

In addition to visiting Project Chimps, the surrounding area offers a variety of attractions and activities. The charming town of Blue Ridge is nearby, with its quaint shops, restaurants, and scenic train rides.

Just like people, chimpanzees’ friendships are important as they care for each other, as seen by behaviors and time spent together.

Whether you’re an avid hiker, an animal lover, or simply seeking a meaningful way to connect with nature, the trails at Project Chimps offer an unforgettable experience.

As the alpha of Harmony villa, Kareem is well-known both for his size and his gentle personality. He waits patiently for everyone to get their food before taking his own.

As a dignified old lady, Precious isn’t willing to compromise her time or energy. She’s also not afraid to let staff know when she’s annoyed!

Noel loves greeting care staff members who come into the villa, especially when she hasn’t seen them in a while.

One of Panielle’s most endearing quirks is that she almost always has a blanket, often worn over her shoulder like a cape.

Nyia is well known for having very specific favorite item(s), which are her blue blankets. Although she has several, she goes through rotations where she’ll use the same one for a long time.

Thomas has especially long limbs. In fact, he’s so tall that Lancelot can nearly pass underneath him when they’re both knuckle-walking!

Chloe really loves smear board enrichment items. She can be slow to shift rooms for cleaning, but not on smear board enrichment days!

This Giving Tuesday, we’re sharing Lucky’s story in celebration of the similarities and differences that make us special.