Playing with chimpanzees can often prove to be dangerous. Both humans and chimpanzees are at risk of harming each other, even if they don’t always mean to. Despite this, Haylee has found a safe way to have fun with caregivers. Her secret? A winning personality and some creative tool use.

It isn’t exactly known why some of the females in harmony display motherly behaviors with their plush toys. None of them have had experience mothering young. Maybe it’s their natural instincts? Or maybe it’s just their way of having fun! Even the group alpha, Kareem gets in on the fun!

“Cool guy” Taz is one of the higher-ranking males in his group, and it isn’t hard to see why! We’re thrilled to celebrate his 29th birthday by sharing a little about what makes him so unique.

Zana is a very sweet and patient chimp who has taken on very motherly role within the group. However, that’s not to say she isn’t sassy, too!

The construction of the Annex ensures a family group has an enlarged habitat, allowing for increased stimulation, room for discovery, and overall better days. The Annex, concluded in May 2024, includes a sky bridge and a 360 view with a fence posted all around the perimeter. Not only can we see the chimps, but most importantly, they can also see us!

Harriett is a socially savvy mid-ranking female within her group. She loves giving her human caregivers plenty of sass and attitude, but she has a sweet side too! 

Project Chimps is accepting proposals for a new outdoor sculpture that will honor chimpanzees who were used in medical research at our Remembrance Garden – a cemetery for chimps who have passed away at sanctuary.  The request is for a large-scale, three-dimensional work that is able to command the space and make a bold “welcome”…

Kate is the oldest female chimp living here in sanctuary and, today, we’re honored to celebrate her 38th birthday!

At the sanctuary, chimps have toys that they gravitate towards. Plush toys can be a short-lived favorite at the sanctuary, only lasting a few days before being turned into a fluffy mess. Lizzy treats her green friend differently, even going as far as to carefully groom her Grinch toy.

A large factor of providing care for any animal is keeping them fed. Every animal has specialized nutritional needs, and providing for each of these needs is incredibly important. At Project Chimps, the same is true as well. Feeding chimpanzees is always a very important daily duty at our sanctuaries.

Eddie has an adventurous spirit and is eager to experience new things. He’s often one of the first chimps out the door in the morning and last to return in the afternoon.

He may be small in stature but Lancelot also has a huge heart! Today’s his 20th birthday and we’re excited to celebrate at Project Chimps! 

Chimps love a good puzzle. Sometimes though, complex puzzles and toys aren’t for every chimp. A squeaky toy can be all a chimp needs to have fun and Paul knows this. His favorite toy is as simple as they come, but he wont let that stop him from having fun.

Despite being the oldest female in her group, Jurita’s not one to be defined by her age. According to her caregivers, she’s also probably the highest-ranking female at DJT!

Quintin may be one of the largest males at Project Chimps but that doesn’t mean he’s stopped growing!