Skip to content
DONATE

Leo

Leo July 2021

When Leo was only two, he and his groupmate Hercules 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 much media attention about their plight, Leo and Hercules 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. 

Whether gazing out his favorite cubby window or lounging in his favorite hammock, Leo knows where to go to take a beat and chill. After breakfast he loves to curl up in a hammock and take a nap. He also will build blanket nests. Usually he lays a few blankets down and then will curl up with one on top of himself. 

Leo also loves to play with his caregivers. His favorite game is when he tricks us making us think is going to run in one direction and then changes course and runs in another. When we fall for it, he breathy laughs at us!

Leo loves boxes and often carries a piece of cardboard around with him or uses them in his nests. Summer is definitely Leo’s favorite time of year, earning him the title of “the solar powered chimp.” He loves to greet guests at the viewing windows while inside the habitat and watch the staff and volunteers at the kitchen window. And according to his caregivers, he’ll do anything for a tomato! 

Chimp Chatter Featuring Leo

Leo-land

August 2, 2021

Leo has been a special chimp from the beginning, and we have been helping him cope with mental episodes. Leo has made significant improvements since he has arrived at the sanctuary and continues to thrive.

Movie Night

March 22, 2021

Chimps, like humans, enjoy a good movie. Their abilities to comprehend films helps us understand chimpanzees and how they think.

Is there such thing as “too much napping”?

March 15, 2021

Napping is a daily routine for chimpanzees. Every day is different depending on their activities. By observing their napping behaviors, we are able to understand the chimps a bit better.

The Art of Nest Building

January 28, 2021

Just like humans decorating a bedroom, chimps create their own spaces too. Each chimp has a specific preference when creating their nests. Knowing this helps us understand unique qualities among chimps and their habits.

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.

Load More

Go Back to Meet the Chimps

Leo FACTS

Male

Date of Birth

08/31/2006

Arrival Date

03/21/2018

Fun Facts

  • Leo enjoys playing with the younger males in his group.

Favorite Things

Leo loves peanut butter, especially smeared inside his favorite food puzzles.

SEND A GIFT

You can send this chimp a gift from our Amazon Wish List.

AMAZON WISH LIST

SPONSOR Leo

Monthly
Annually
YOUR SUPPORT

MAKES A DIFFERENCE

Harley-Loretta_inHabitat

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.

Go Back to Meet the Chimps

Scroll To Top