Celebrating KAREEM’s 36th birthday!
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.
Read MoreCelebrating PRECIOUS’s 34th birthday!
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!
Read MoreCelebrating NOEL’s 18th birthday!
Noel loves greeting care staff members who come into the villa, especially when she hasn’t seen them in a while.
Read MoreCelebrating PANIELLE’s 24th birthday!
One of Panielle’s most endearing quirks is that she almost always has a blanket, often worn over her shoulder like a cape.
Read MoreCelebrating NYIA’s 19th birthday!
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.
Read MoreCelebrating THOMAS’s 18th birthday!
Thomas has especially long limbs. In fact, he’s so tall that Lancelot can nearly pass underneath him when they’re both knuckle-walking!
Read MoreCelebrating CHLOE’s 21st birthday!
Chloe really loves smear board enrichment items. She can be slow to shift rooms for cleaning, but not on smear board enrichment days!
Read MoreGiving Tuesday: Connections That Make Us Special
This Giving Tuesday, we’re sharing Lucky’s story in celebration of the similarities and differences that make us special.
Read MoreCelebrating TIFFANY’s 17th birthday!
Tiffany is an avid outdoors enthusiast and loves the habitat. Her caregivers can often spot her outside enjoying the sun with Torian.
Read MoreCelebrating JERMAINE’s 35th birthday!
Out of the thirteen chimps in Harmony, Jermaine is NOT one to appreciate mornings. Most days, care staff can expect to find him rolling right over in one of his favorite napping spots.
Read MoreCelebrating SARAH’s 16th birthday!
Sarah loves most stuffed animals, but her favorites are any primate stuffed animal. She loves to carry these around on her back or hang onto them with her foot.
Read MoreCelebrating AMY’s 16th birthday!
Amy is a very playful and energetic chimp. She’s also known to spit water and try and poke the camera when anyone tries to take her picture!
Read MoreCelebrating HERCULES’s 18th birthday!
Despite his tough-sounding name, Hercules is a softie at heart. He enjoys seeing visitors at habitat windows and adores stuffed animals.
Read MoreCelebrating MELANIE’s 19th birthday!
According to her caregivers, Melanie is known as “Mischievous Melanie.” She’s learned to be sneaky when it comes to holding on to her food!
Read MoreCelebrating OSCAR’s 14th birthday!
Just two days after Arielle’s birthday, Project Chimps is thrilled to celebrate another of the youngest chimps at the sanctuary! Oscar first arrived at Project Chimps in 2018 when he was just 7 years old. This year is extra special because it’s the first time he’s spent as many birthdays in sanctuary as the lab!…
Read MoreCelebrating ARIELLE’s 14th birthday!
Arielle may be the youngest chimp in her group, but she’s not about to let that get in her way! Despite her reputation as a troublemaker, she has a sweet side too.
Read MoreCelebrating SKY’s 28th birthday!
From the moment she arrived, Sky seemed to have a passion for climbing. Hanging upside-down by her toes is one of her favorite ways to play!
Read MoreCelebrating LUKE’s 37th birthday!
When it comes to Luke’s favorite things, he seems to really enjoy making music! One of Luke’s favorite items to play with is the keyboard.
Read MoreCelebrating COLLIN’s 22nd birthday!
Collin is a huge foodie, but he especially loves scatter. He will sweep a big pile in front of him and then slurp it all up — vacuum style!
Read MoreCelebrating SCOTT’s 21st birthday!
Scott is a big fan of the three P’s… peanuts, playtime, and puzzles. He’s also always eager for mealtime, although juice can be hit or miss.
Read MoreCelebrating HAYLEE’s 15th birthday!
Haylee is a high energy girl who loves pranks and dancing. However, her absolute favorite thing is when humans dance for her!
Read MoreCelebrating MANDY’s 14th birthday!
Mandy used to be known for her “baby raspberries” while waiting for her food, but recently her requests have become much more assertive!
Read MoreCelebrating MANETTA’s 20th birthday!
Outside of going on perimeter walks in the habitat with Melanie, Manetta loves being high up off the ground!
Read MoreCelebrating LUCKY’s 21st birthday!
Lucky is one of the most recognizable chimps at the sanctuary due to her distinct look. She has vitiligo, causing some areas of her skin appear lighter.
Read MoreCelebrating KEITH’s 21st birthday!
Keith is a true film buff — he LOVES movies! He especially seems to like when there’s other chimps on screen.
Read MoreCelebrating KEVIN’s 21st birthday!
Kevin is the more dominant chimp compared to his twin, Keith. Aside from juice, Kevin’s favorite item is boots, particularly dark blue pairs.
Read MoreCelebrating JOSH’s 34th birthday!
Josh is a lover, not a fighter! He tends to let the other males in his group settle disputes, preferring to focus his attention on the girls.
Read MoreCelebrating KRYSTAL’s 15th birthday!
Krystal is a very dynamic chimp! She’s energetic, social, and is a high-ranking female known as the “princess” of her group.
Read MoreCelebrating LORETTA’s 16th birthday!
Loretta is a young female chimp living in Harmony villa. She’s friendly, playful, and has grown a lot in confidence over the past year.
Read MoreCelebrating JASON’s 22nd birthday!
Often, caregivers know Jason is going to come through a door before they can see him! He throws a huge pile of wood wool through the door right before leaping through to the other side.
Read MoreCelebrating MAVERICK’s 31st birthday!
Today is Maverick’s 31st birthday! You might recognize him for his short legs, which led staff to affectionately nickname him “Baby Legs!”
Read MoreMeet Kivuli: The Sanctuary’s Youngest Chimp
At 13 years old, Kivuli is the youngest chimp now living at Project Chimps! Today, you can help give him a future worth looking forward to.
Read MoreCelebrating TORIAN’s 17th birthday!
Torian is a very intelligent chimp and very aware of what’s going on in her group. Typically, she prefers to sit back and observe.
Read MoreCelebrating ANGELIC’s 27th birthday!
Angelic (also known as Angie by her caregivers) has quite the personality. She’s a true “chimp’s chimp” and a dominant female in her group.
Read MoreCelebrating PRINCE’s 21st birthday!
Prince has established himself as the alpha of his group on B Side of the Laurie & Carlee McGrath Chateau villa. He spends a lot of his time grooming and playing with everyone so that no one feels left out.
Read MoreCelebrating VICKY’s 20th birthday!
Like many of the chimps at the sanctuary, Vicky has her own nickname — Vicky Lynn! She loves juice, cardboard and banana leaf browse, as well as anything she can nest with.
Read MoreCelebrating LEO’s 18th birthday!
Leo is “solar powered” — he shifts from room to room better on warm, sunny days! He loves a good game of chase with his caregivers and laughs while making them run from room to room.
Read MoreCelebrating KYRSTIN’s 14th birthday!
Kyrstin arrived at Project Chimps in 2019, making this her 4th birthday at the sanctuary. She lives in Chimps Ahoy villa, where she can be quite the little firecracker!
Read MoreAugust is National Make-a-Will Month: Leave a Lasting Legacy with Project Chimps
By James Haworth August is National Make-a-Will Month, a perfect time to reflect on how you can make a lasting impact on causes close to your heart. At Project Chimps, the Legacy Society is made up of generous and forward-thinking individuals who’ve included the sanctuary in their estate plans. This ensures that we can continue…
Read MoreCelebrating BO’s 20th birthday!
Bo may be young, but he shouldn’t be underestimated! He’s a fair, strong leader who has made so much progress as the alpha over time.
Read MoreCelebrating ROXY’s 14th birthday!
As one of the youngest female chimps at the sanctuary, Roxy is playful, curious and a little mischievous. She always keeps things interesting!
Read MoreCelebrating SASHA’s 37th birthday!
Sasha has a mild and sweet disposition but that doesn’t mean she’s happy to let anyone else push her around. She’s high-ranking and has strong bonds with both the males and females.
Read MoreCelebrating RAY’s 16th birthday!
Ray came to Project Chimps when he was just 9 years old. He lives in the Laurie & Carlee McGrath Chateau Villa alongside several other youngsters which can lead to some interesting dynamics!
Read MoreCelebrating KASSIE’s 29th birthday!
Kassie has a bit of a flair for the dramatic. Because she has friends in high places, she tends to get away with these dramatic episodes.
Read MoreCelebrating LIZZY’s 34th birthday!
According to her caregivers, Lizzy and her favorite Grinch toy are practically inseparable. She even helps keep him clean by grooming him!
Read MoreCelebrating JAMIE’s 35th birthday!
Jamie has been exploring the outdoors a lot recently — she’s even gotten a tan! But although she’s been venturing farther, she always makes sure to come back for her next serving of juice.
Read MoreCelebrating KIRK’s 39th birthday!
He may not be captain of a starship, but alpha Kirk’s a leader all the same! We’re honored to celebrate his 39th birthday at Project Chimps.
Read MoreCelebrating DANNER’s 15th birthday!
Once one of the smallest, most insecure chimps in his group, now Danner is one of the largest! He’s come a long way from the awkward chimp with enormous hands, but we still know him by his “Danner Bananer” nickname all the same!
Read MoreCelebrating VERONICA’s 29th birthday!
July is a special month for mother and son duo Veronica and Jacob here at Project Chimps. They both share the same birthday month!
Read MoreCelebrating MUTTIE’s 20th birthday!
Muttie’s caregivers have been working on building her courage using positive reinforcement. With their support, Muttie has made it all the way into the tunnel that connects Chateau to the habitat!
Read MoreCelebrating TRISTEN’S 15th birthday!
Today, July 2nd, we’re celebrating another milestone birthday as Tristen turns 15 years old. This year also marks her 5th birthday at Project Chimps since she arrived from the lab!
Read MoreCelebrating JACOB’s 14th birthday!
At just 14 years old, Jacob is one of the youngest chimps living at the sanctuary. He was reunited with his mother Veronica when he arrived at Project Chimps in 2018.
Read MoreCelebrating LATRICIA’S 21st birthday!
Latricia is one of the highest-ranking females in her group at Cedar Tree Villa. She marches to the beat of her own drum and has her own style of regulating fights and group dynamics.
Read MoreCelebrating TAZ’s 29th birthday!
“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.
Read MoreCelebrating ZANA’s 34th birthday!
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!
Read MoreCelebrating HARRIETT’s 21st birthday!
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!
Read MoreCelebrating KATE’s 38th birthday!
Kate is the oldest female chimp living here in sanctuary and, today, we’re honored to celebrate her 38th birthday!
Read MoreCelebrating EDDIE’s 20th birthday!
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.
Read MoreCelebrating LANCELOT’s 20th birthday!
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!
Read MoreCelebrating JURITA’s 35th birthday!
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!
Read MoreCelebrating QUINTIN’s 22nd birthday!
Quintin may be one of the largest males at Project Chimps but that doesn’t mean he’s stopped growing!
Read MoreCelebrating PAUL’s 22nd birthday!
Paul is the smallest male in his group and is very low ranking. He’s also very human-oriented, meaning he tends to focus a lot on the humans around him.
Read MoreCelebrating JUSTIN’s 36th birthday!
According to Justin’s caregivers, he plays an important part in the dynamics of his group. He’s easily identified by his pink lips and folded left ear and is a big fan of dried chickpeas.
Read MoreCelebrating LB’s 27th birthday!
LB is socially savvy and maintains a high rank within her social group. If you’ve ever wondered if any chimps might be considered “girl’s girls,” LB is one of them!
Read MoreCelebrating SAMIRA’s 21st birthday!
Samira is one of the higher-ranking chimps in her group, helping to keep the others in line. While her nickname is Princess, some think it might be about time to crown her the queen!
Read MoreCelebrating ALMASI’s 17th birthday!
Although she’s one of the lower ranking females in Harmony, Almasi is friends with all her group mates. Her name means “diamond” in Swahili and it definitely suits her sparkling personality.
Read MoreCelebrating RONALD’s 36th birthday!
Ronald can look small compared to some of the larger chimps in his group. But, although he may be small in stature, he has a power all his own!
Read MoreCelebrating RUSTY’s 39th birthday!
Rusty was born on April 25, 1985, making him the oldest chimp at the sanctuary! He’s a quintessential retired old man who prefers the simple things in life.
Read MoreCelebrating JENNIFER’s 18th birthday!
Jennifer (or Jenny) has always been very social, both with humans and her fellow chimps. Rather than just hanging out beside her sister, Gertrude, she seems to be enjoying the company of others.
Read MoreCelebrating GENESIS’ 19th birthday!
When she first arrived, instead of spending time with her fellow chimps, Genesis spent most of her time alone. However, that’s no longer the case!
Read MoreDiligently Hiking the Chimp Trails
I had lived on a boat for a year. I was tired of the nomad life and was in search of a change of pace. Looking for scenery that would compete with my native Pacific Northwest, I landed in the North Georgia Mountains at the end of 2021. I landed just outside of Blue Ridge, Georgia. The North Georgia Mountains is home to great hiking, including the Appalachian Trail and the Benton MacKaye Trail. It is also known for Brasstown Bald and white-water rafting on the Ocoee River where the Olympics were held in 1996. Hiking, fishing, hunting, and outdoor adventure sports are the thing here.
In search of work, I came across an ad for Project Chimps, just down the road from me. There, I discovered an amazing training ground for more hard-core hiking on the Chimp Trails. Here is my account, over the timespan of a year, of exploring the trails at Project Chimps in preparation for doing more hikes this area is known for!
Read MoreEarthsong Garden – Not Your Grandma’s Garden
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…
Read MoreHealing After Foot Surgery
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…
Read MorePassion for Primates
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…
Read MoreThe Artistic Mind of a Chimpanzee Painter
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…
Read MoreChimpanzee Intelligence: The Vala-chimp-torians of the Sanctuary
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…
Read MoreRUSTY’s T-Rex-cellent Dinosaur Birthday Party!
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…
Read MoreDiscover the Magic of Chimpanzees: Why You Should Visit Project Chimps
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!
Read MoreChimp Conflicts and the Peacemaker
Just like people, chimpanzees’ friendships are important as they care for each other, as seen by behaviors and time spent together.
Read MoreDo chimps get bored?
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.
Read MoreA Blue Ridge Georgia Experience You Will Not Forget
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.
Read More