Project Chimps Blog

Chimpanzees like to grub on a variety of foods. Some groups of chimpanzees eat up to 200 kinds of different foods. Like us humans, chimps are known to be omnivores.

By Morgan Kelly At Project Chimps, Kirk has the chance to live long and prosper. We’re looking forward to celebrating his 40th birthday on July 27th!  Project Chimps’ Captain Kirk  Kirk is the alpha of the Chimps Ahoy villa. That’s why we call him Captain Kirk! But he’s not exactly like the dramatic, headstrong captain…

By Morgan Kelly Chimps may be cute, but they’re also strong. It’s dangerous to keep them as pets or house them without proper safety measures. We’re committed to keeping both the chimps and their caregivers safe. That’s why we have so many safety protocols during feeding time, positive reinforcement training, check-ups, and all around the…

IT’S WORLD CHIMPANZEE DAY… AND WE’RE CELEBRATING WITH SOME BIG NEWS!!! This past week, we welcomed six new chimps to sanctuary! That’s right! Our transport team made the trek to the lab in Louisiana for an overnight transport (to travel in the cooler evening temperatures). Project Chimps now welcomes Johnny, Roy, Tony, Orpheus, Adam and…

By Rachel Dragas Meet Sheila Botton, the artist behind Project Chimps’ Remembrance Garden Sculpture, and learn about its inception, design, and future installation. Meet the Artist Sheila Botton fondly recalls a childhood book about endangered species, gifted by her parents in the late ’70s. Filled with drawings and facts about these animals, it sparked her…

By Morgan Kelly Project Chimps is the newest chimpanzee sanctuary in the United States. Read more to learn about one of the many ways you can support our efforts to provide lifelong care to chimpanzees retired from research.  Make a Difference with Project Chimps  Project Chimps currently houses, feeds, and cares for over 90 chimpanzees…

By Morgan Kelly When you hear “Project Chimps,” you probably don’t think of bees, right? Or geese? You think of chimpanzees. But chimps aren’t the only critters here at the sanctuary!  If you’re ever on a hike here in Morganton, Georgia, you might see deer, wild turkeys, or even a bear. Chimps are obviously the…

By Morgan Kelly This year, Project Chimps is getting both a new garden installation and a cozy kitchen makeover! We’ll be relocating (and upgrading) our walk-in cooler and freezer in order to add more space for meal prep. What do chimps eat? If you’ve ever cooked your own meal or baked a cake, you know…

On April 12, 2025, Duncan Lawrence’s Eagle Scout project came to fruition at the enrichment building at Project Chimps. 17-year-old Duncan is with Troop 101 of Blairsville, Georgia, and was the brains behind creating a display of enrichment items. The Scouts mounted this display on the enrichment building between the garage doors. It included examples…

By Morgan Kelly At Project Chimps, teamwork makes the dream work. On Saturday, April 19th, we held our annual Volunteer Luncheon, where we celebrated the hard work of our amazing volunteers. We also recognized those who really went above and beyond this year with awards for most chimp care, kitchen, and vet care hours. We…

By Morgan Kelly The chimpanzees (and humans) here at Project Chimps are getting a new interactive garden installation! Just like humans, chimps love fresh vegetables, roots, and fruits. Well, most chimps do (Kirk might show you otherwise). But most of us here at the sanctuary are super excited for the property’s newest addition! Thanks to…

By Morgan Kelly Brave New Bo  Bo is one of the bravest chimps here at the sanctuary. He’s the alpha of the Cedar Tree Villa, which means he’s the big guy in charge. But with great power comes great responsibility. As the alpha, Bo has to settle arguments in his group and chimps settle arguments…

By James Oatis At Project Chimps, giving former research chimpanzees a comfortable and enjoyable retirement is not just our mission, it’s our passion. While much can be said about the chimps themselves, it’s the support and love from staff and volunteers that is the foundation of Project Chimps. Chimpanzee care is a very intensive and…

By James Oatis Have you heard about a chimpanzee painter? Chimpanzees are the closest animals to humans as they share 98% of our DNA. Because of this similarity, and their obvious intelligence, anthropologists and scientists became curious if chimpanzees had a sense of artistry. The answer to this question is very complex and can be…

By James Oatis Chimpanzee intelligence is not in question here. In scientific circles, a common fascination comes from the intelligence of animals. From elephants to dolphins, scientists have found many animals that have gained a reputation for being wise or smart. It is important, however, to distinguish human and animal intelligence as most of the…