Hercules

When Hercules was only two, he and his groupmate Leo were leased to a New York lab where they were forced to walk upright in a study of locomotion. After medical testing was finally banned on chimpanzees and after much media attention about their plight, Hercules and Leo were sent back to the New Iberia Research Center (NIRC) and then retired to their forever home here at Project Chimps on March 21, 2018. 

Hercules, or “Hercy,” has always been a protective figure within his social group and looks out for his friends. He’s still a force to be reckoned with though, and his caregivers always appreciate him for his overwhelmingly sweet nature and love of play. If you come for a visit, you might see him at the habitat windows where he enjoys waiting for guests!

According to his caregivers, Hercules loves to entertain. One of his most frequent acts involves putting his feet in the air for his caregivers to admire, sometimes while scooting towards them in one of his favorite boxes. He loves to play and will sometimes interrupt grooming sessions by insisting it’s playtime, which can sometimes lead to trouble if the other chimp is not in the mood. He also loves puzzle enrichments and is one of the first chimps to start when a new puzzle is provided!