Nearly 500 Attend Project Chimps' First Discovery Days

Nearly 500 people attended Project Chimps’ first Discovery Days open house May 19 and 20. Guests came from areas as near as Morganton and as far away as California for a chance to see the former research chimpanzees and learn more about their journey from the lab to their permanent home at Project Chimps.

At times, it wasn’t clear if the people were watching the chimps or the chimps were watching the people! Some of the chimps approached the viewing windows as guests took guided walking tours outside the sanctuary’s six-acre, forested habitat. Other chimps went about their business, exploring the forest and foraging for food placed by caregivers outdoors. Still others decided to stay in their indoor group enclosures, avoiding the sun and the newcomers.

Eleven-year-old Noel was fascinated by the young children and infants who passed by the viewing windows with their parents during Discovery Days.

“That’s the beauty of the chimps’ new lives in sanctuary,” said Ali Crumpacker, executive director of Project Chimps. “They have a choice now about when and where they allow themselves to be seen.”

The two-day Discovery Days weekend sold out in only three weeks and the sanctuary is now selling tickets for its next event, September 29 and 30. Tickets are $25 each and VIP packages are available via the Project Chimps website.

Project Chimps held two smaller events in advance of Discovery Days. On Thursday, May 17, the sanctuary partnered with the Swan Drive-In Theatre of Blue Ridge to show JANE, the documentary film about famed primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall. On Friday, May 18, Project Chimps partnered with downtown Blue Ridge merchants for an Endangered Species Scavenger Hunt that included prizes for the clever winners.

According to Crumpacker, the event would not have been possible without strong community support. Nearly 50 residents volunteered to staff the event. Area merchants participated including the Blue Ridge Cotton Company, Mercier Orchards, Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa, Mason Tractor Supply, and Escape to Blue Ridge. Local musicians David Welch and Quinn Leach provided entertainment.

As a sanctuary, Project Chimps is not open to the public on a daily basis, although private guided tours and limited public outreach events are held on site.