Celebrating Dawn for World Chimp Day

By Ari D’Arconte

July 14th, also known as World Chimpanzee Day, honors everything about our remarkable relatives. The date commemorates Dr. Jane Goodall entering the Gombe Stream National Park to study wild chimps decades ago. In honor of World Chimpanzee Day we would like to showcase Dawn, one of our most resilient chimps.

Meet Dawn

When Dawn first came to Project Chimps two years ago she was super shy and overweight. In that time she has lost nearly 50 pounds! She struggled for a long time with the idea of going into the habitat and was incredibly nervous. Though that all changed recently, with one of her caregivers, Lauren, remarking, “And then like a month ago, we look over and there’s Dawn outside.” After adjusting to her new home here, Dawn is finally able to go out into the habitat and enjoy herself.

Dawn has grown a lot in personality too. She used to only take her food from a specific location, but now is able to get her food from other spots too. Another thing about Dawn is that she is a big foodie and loves chow (a nutritional biscuit). She even prefers it to the peanut butter that her caretakers use as a treat and to hide her medicine. They have to wait until she has finished her medicated peanut butter before they bring out the chow.

Dawning Confidence

Dawn goes out on patrols with some of the male chimps and has formed a close bond with Lancelot. It is so exciting that Dawn can have friends like Lancelot! Social relationships are incredibly important for chimps.

While Dawn is not as playful as some of the others, she does enjoy the toys they are given. She likes nut kongs, which are toys filled with peanuts or walnuts that she can get out. Lauren has enjoyed working with Dawn, “So she’s definitely grown in confidence, which is really exciting to watch”. 

Dawn seems to be love her new home here at Project Chimps. We are so happy to be able to give Dawn a life away from research. Dawn is a symbol of how we should be caring for our chimp friends and a great way to celebrate World Chimp Day!

Help us celebrate Dawn and other chimps for World Chimpanzee Day today!