Moving Day: A New Chateau for Research Chimps

October 9, 2019/Ali Crumpacker

A new home. The smell of fresh paint, clean floors, dustless windows. The freedom to do anything you want in a brand new space is refreshing and exciting at first. Until you realize you still have to assemble the furniture and unpack everything. And where on earth did you put the toolbox anyway?

We’ve all done it. We’ve all moved. Some more than others. And there is always a mix of positive and negative emotions. If we’re moving into a larger home with a little more space for our family, it’s exciting but it’s even more work to put together.

It’s similar for chimps

For the former research chimpanzees now living in sanctuary at Project Chimps, it appears to be much the same. Last week, we finished the construction of The Chateau and invited the chimps to move in.

Aerial view of the Chateau building at Project Chimps — Aerial view of The Chateau under construction in winter of 2018. At is 7,000 square feet, it’s the largest chimpanzee house in Project Chimps’ first phase.

We all held our breath to see what they would think of their new digs.

True to form, curious Noel could not wait. She had been closely watching the construction progress from her vantage point in the habitat. She saw new fire hose ropes, hammocks, balls, and all sorts of fun things inside that she eagerly wanted to get her hands on. As soon as she saw that the tunnel door was open, she dashed inside and began to explore.

Three chimpanzees sit on the floor in Project Chimps new chateau for research chimps. The large playroom hung with fire hose ropes and ladders — Noel (with Ronald and Kareem in the background) was the first to explore the chimps’ new Chateau at Project Chimps.

Would the rest follow?

The other chimps hung back, a little confused to see Noel inside a building where no chimps had ever been seen before. They paced for a few minutes in front of the door and looked to each other for reassurance. A silent agreement was passed between them and ten of the remaining chimps funneled in, including their leader Kareem, and they started to explore.

Four chimpanzees in Project Chimps new chateau for research chimps with high ceilings and hanging fire hose swings and ladders — Project Chimps new Chateau features two giant playrooms for the chimpanzees. Behind them are two huge open air porches that face into the sanctuary’s forested, 6-acre habitat.

At 7,000 square feet on the ground and 25 feet high, the Chateau is a big space to explore. Noel, Kareem and the rest of their group will have half of the building to themselves. In a few weeks, Hercules’ group of 14 will move in to occupy the other side. Each group will have three or four large, climate-controlled bedrooms, one massive indoor playroom and a multi-story open-air porch that faces into the forested Peachtree Habitat.

Chimpanzee Loretta reclining on her back on a fire hose rope with a red blanket under her back in Project Chimps new chateau for research chimps — Loretta settles into her new home inside the Chateau at Project Chimps.

What about Alex?

As we prepared for the chimps’ migration from Harmony Villa to the Chateau via the outdoor habitat, we knew that no matter how exciting the new Chateau might be, Alex would not enter on his own accord. He still hadn’t explored the outdoor habitat to even see the Chateau.

Using positive reinforcement training and operant conditioning techniques, Veterinary Assistant Crystal Alba was able to convince Alex to voluntarily step inside a rolling transport carrier so we could manually move him down the hill to join his family in the Chateau.

Chimpanzee Alex sits inside a metal transport cart — Former research chimpanzee Alex took a short ride from his former home in Harmony Villa to the new Chateau.

A little sweet persuasion

The magic trick to his cooperation? Skittles.

After trying more suitable chimp treats such as walnuts and frozen grapes, Alex couldn’t resist the sweet temptation of the brightly colored candies that he received for merely climbing into a box. Candies are reserved for only the most important situations at Project Chimps.

Alex would have suffered from anxiety if he was separated from his group for too long and if he did not volunteer to climb into the transport box and we would have been forced to use a tranquilizer. A little sugar rush is small price to pay to avoid the other avenues toward his move.

Bag of Skittles Darkside candies — It took a tasty bag of Skittles® to entice Alex into the transport carrier for the move into his new home. Photo: Mars, Incorporated.

With Alex safely relocated to the Chateau, the team waited for the remaining chimps in the habitat to enter the new building.

A few chimps hesitate

Sky, ever the mistrustful one, decided she wasn’t interested on the first night and she, along with Ronald, decided to return to Harmony Villa for one last sleep-over. Seeing that all their friends were still alive and content in the Chateau, they had no problem joining their group the next morning.

Most of the chimps seemed to settle in and enjoy the new space. Except for Almasi and Harley.

Two female chimpanzees, Sky and Harley, standing at the edge of the forest inside their outdoor habitat — Sky (front) and Harley in Peachtree Habitat at Project Chimps. The two former research chimpanzees are usually wary of new experiences.

On their first opportunity to return to the habitat, all the chimps, except Alex, explored the habitat once again. And at the dinner bell, all but two returned back inside. Almasi and Harley simply didn’t want to go back into their new home. They did not try to return to Harmony Villa. They just camped out.

We’ll camp right here, thanks

The next day, Kareem, Babs, and all the others, except of course Alex, once again went out into the habitat. The team hoped that Almasi and Harley would be encouraged to return inside with the family. The dinner bell rang on day two and once again, they decided to sleep under the stars.

Four chimpanzees standing and sitting on grass inside their walled habitat — Kareem (walking bipedal) explored the outdoor habitat with Harley (front right), Sky and another male chimpanzee from their group.

Much like a young child excited to play in a pile of leaves or freshly fallen snow, the chimps can be distracted from realizing that it’s gotten too cold and they should go inside to warm up. Thus, we are not yet comfortable with chimps spending nights out in the habitat if we can help it. We’d like them to experience a few winters before we leave the doors open so they can explore at night.

Settling in

The anxiety of moving into a new home, even with all your friends and family moving with you, can only last for so long. With a lot of encouragement, and a few yummy treats as a reward, the care team finally convinced Almasi and Harley to return to the inside of the Chateau where they will continue to receive lots of positive reinforcement to help override any remaining concerns they have about their new digs.

Chimpanzee Alex sitting indoors and holding biscuits in his hands — Alex prefers the indoors, but is starting to put a few toes outside into the Peachtree Habitat. When he’s ready, he may choose to join his group mates outdoors.

Our chimpanzee care team has enjoyed watching Noel, Kareem, Amy, Loretta, Alex and the others test out their new hammocks and fire hose swings. Now we will wait and see when Alex will decide to go outside. In sanctuary, it’s his choice.

We hope it will be soon.

Project Chimps is grateful for donated items to help outfit the new Chateau. Nearly 150 chimpanzees are still waiting in the lab to come to sanctuary…waiting for a chance to explore the outdoors, to forage with friends, to stretch their limbs and climb around. You can help make this possible by making a donation to Project Chimps, sponsoring one of our amazing chimpanzees, or purchasing an item from our Amazon Wish List.

Photos by Crystal Alba and Project Chimps staff.