By Kat West We can all agree that chimps are cute. But we also know they are wild animals and shouldn’t be kept as pets. Not everyone understands this, however. Although it’s illegal in many countries like the U.K. it is still legal in the United States. The Captive Primate Safety act aims to change…

Chimps have these ambiguous female figures too! Growing up without their mom, our orphaned lab chimps rely even more heavily on the guidance of older influences.
Older female chimps who take young female groupmates under their metaphorical wing, I call “aunties.” But really, they’re just old ladies showing young girls the ropes.

Caregiver Aide Mackenzie explains the importance of closely observing the chimps, saying, “With the chimps we have to watch very carefully to determine how they’re feeling.” Staff must develop an understanding of the chimps’ baseline body and facial expressions so they can tell when something is ‘off’.

Jill’s story of getting involved with Project Chimps was one of ‘love at first sight.’ When she visited the sanctuary years ago, she knew she had both the passion and education to help the chimps in a way not many others could.

Mimi Ackerman has been volunteering at Project Chimps for two years, and it is moments like this where her experience really shines. She encourages even the apprehensive infant to reach out his arm toward the latest chimp to have wandered over to this family.

Pete Cutter finds it easy to volunteer at a non-profit like this one. Perhaps the most ‘creative’ in his volunteering of anyone on campus, Pete thinks out of the box for the chimps.

Studying chimps in her textbooks, India ultimately discovered, does not compare to meeting them in real life. She remembers her first day at Project Chimps clearly, because on this day she came face to face with a chimp for the first time.

Project Chimps announces exciting final plans to bring every chimpanzee from the New Iberia Research Center (NIRC) in Louisiana to its Blue Ridge, GA sanctuary.

By Kayla Adgate Have you ever noticed that female chimpanzees seem to have a saggy bottom? That’s called a swelling and it’s an important part of their anatomy. Swelling, Health, and Fertility Although there is some conjecture regarding its exact function, scientists agree that chimp tumescence, or the process of swelling, and menstruation are physical…

When chimps come to sanctuary, they may be interacting with other chimps (or chimps of the opposite sex) for the first time. They may fail to understand social norms, and feel awkward, unsure, or anxious around other chimps. These interactions can be tricky because the chimps haven’t learned lessons that mom usually instills during childhood.

Traci Holliday climbs up the trail, explaining all its different features and who in the community at Project Chimps helped make them happen. no path through this wilderness.

Treating ex lab chimps—who have undergone countless procedures before retiring at sanctuary—is complicated. Staff at Project Chimps are highly sensitive to chimp residents who are averse to needles, mistrusting of humans, or have other hold-ups stemming from their traumatic past.

If it’s at Project Chimps, there’s a good chance Candy Retter has contributed to it. The 69- year-old has been here at the sanctuary for some of its most incredible moments and helps make it the special place it is. But how did she get here?

Jenny isn’t one of our most famous residents, but we wanted to bring her into the spotlight. If you read on, you’ll find out why we consider Jenny a chimp hero!

Chimps have drama. They have police officers policing the drama. And, apparently, the police officers have “motorcycles.”