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Hercules

Hercules2 July 2021

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! 

Chimp Chatter Featuring Hercules

Chimps Leo & Ray’s Excellent Adventure

February 7, 2020

The day started out routinely, with our team checking on the
chimps, feeding their breakfast and cleaning their enclosures. But then the radios start squawking as the chatter between caregivers becomes an excited cacophony.

The message finally became clear: “Leo is outside!”

Chimpanzee Caregiver Samantha Jones recounts the story of former research chimps Leo and Ray’s brave first steps into the forest at Project Chimps.

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Focus on Chimps

January 24, 2020

Project Chimps sanctuary now hosts a one-day wildlife photography workshop. In the first session, held in Oct. 2019, eight participants get to went behind the scenes to photograph chimpanzees in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains.

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Hercules, Leo and Group go Outdoors for the First Time at Project Chimps

May 9, 2018

Hercules and Leo were the first two chimpanzees in their social group to explore Project Chimps’ forested outdoor Peachtree Habitat on May 8, 2018. It was an important day in the lives of these well-known former research chimpanzees and a new beginning in their lives of retirement at Project Chimps. Hercules, Leo and their seven…

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Two Well-Known Former Research Chimpanzees Relocated to Permanent Sanctuary

March 21, 2018

Morganton, GA (March 21) — Two well-known former research chimpanzees now have a forever home in the Blue Ridge Mountains, thanks to a cooperative agreement between the New Iberia Research Center in Louisiana and Project Chimps, a 236-acre sanctuary in north Georgia. Eleven-year-old Hercules and Leo joined other retired chimpanzees at the forested Project Chimps…

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Hercules FACTS

Male

Date of Birth

11/19/2006

Arrival Date

03/21/2018

Fun Facts

  • Hercules is sometimes affectionately called “Turkey” because it rhymes with his other nickname, Hercy!

Favorite Things

Hercules loves giant stuffed animals and cardboard boxes!

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MAKES A DIFFERENCE

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This project would not be possible without our many generous individual supporters and volunteers. We rely on donations to fulfill our mission, including caring for our existing residents and expanding the sanctuary to accommodate those chimpanzees still waiting in the lab.

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