The Project Chimps family said goodbye to Jill this week.
Jill, 33, was born on September 30, 1989 and came to Project Chimps on August 29, 2018. She was one of 16 chimpanzees in a social group residing in the Dorothy Jo and Tilly Villa (DJ&T). Not much is known about Jill’s origin through her time in laboratory research prior to moving to sanctuary in Morganton but, once here, she established herself as a high-ranking female within her group.
On Monday, July 17, there was a short-lived group fight inside DJ&T. In its wake, Jill exhibited signs of a severe spinal injury. Staff were present but did not directly witness what happened to Jill. Our relief veterinarian, Dr. Jim McClearan evaluated the extent of her injuries and determined that not only had she lost use of her lower extremities but her breathing was irreversibly compromised. Jill was humanely euthanized that evening and her fellow chimps were able to view her body to say their farewell.
Jill is survived by her biological son, Arthur who also resides in DJ&T.
While chimps can live into their 50’s, according to the Lincoln Park Zoo ChimpDATA, the median life expectancy of a chimpanzee in captivity is roughly 32 for males and 40 for females.
Jill’s remains will be cremated and entombed in a future Remembrance Garden off our hiking trails and which will be opened to the public in 2024 to visit with chimps who have passed. The memorial site will be marked by a plaque with her name. Donations made in memory of Jill are welcomed and can be made here: projectchimps.org/donate/
