Tabu and all the surviving chimps from Alamogordo are now in the tender loving care of the talented Chimp Haven staff, and we couldn’t be more thrilled! Their staff sees to the chimps’ every need, and these incredible survivors are finally living their best lives, retired and in the beautiful sanctuary of Chimp Haven. Remember, your generosity and activism on behalf of the chimps helped make this happen.
Read an update from Rana Smith, Chimp Haven’s Executive Director and CEO, below and watch the video she shared with us. And if you’d like to help support the continued care of the Alamogordo chimps at Chimp Haven, visit:
https://newmexicofoundation.givevirtuous.org/donate/chimpanzee-sanctuary-fund
Dear Lisa,
Moving day has arrived! I’m so thrilled to share that the expansion you so generously supported at Chimp Haven is complete, and the very first chimps – including two of our Alamogordo newbies – have just moved in (video below)!
As you know, this new addition made it possible for all the chimps who remained at the Alamogordo Primate Facility to come home to Chimp Haven. In addition to creating critically-needed living space at the sanctuary with four new outdoor play yards and 12 new chimpanzee bedrooms, the new build also includes vital flex space for chimps receiving or recovering from medical care, a rapidly growing need as the colony ages.
Chimps moving into the new space will enjoy air-conditioned bedrooms equipped with cozy hammocks and other “furniture,” brand new play structures with special climbing aids for our geriatric and mobility-challenged retirees, and indoor/outdoor digital cameras which allow their care staff to better monitor their needs in real time (while the chimps aren’t sure what the cameras are for, you can bet they’re investigating them!).
Tabu’s group was the first to move into the new digs, and they wasted no time exploring. This group includes Al and Kamaka, two of our Alamogordo newbies who were born in the wild before being brought to the U.S. for research. Before coming to Chimp Haven, they had never lived in a large social group with girls before or experienced the variety of spaces the sanctuary offers. As you can imagine, their first year at sanctuary has been full of new adventures, and moving into the new space was just the latest on their “retirement bucket list.”
Video: Tabu’s group moves into the new addition!
I hope you enjoy the sneak peek of move-in day. In the coming weeks, more chimp families will move into the new addition – including Slim’s group, home to several rambunctious adolescents that we’re sure will give the space a full inspection.
I cannot overstate what your amazing support has meant to us at Chimp Haven. Because of your generosity, the Alamogordo chimps are finally home at sanctuary after a lifetime in research – living in large, mixed sex social groups, exploring new spaces, and climbing to new heights in their golden years.
We look forward to keeping you updated on many new adventures to come. In the meantime, from all of us at Chimp Haven, thank you for your friendship and generous support.
With gratitude,
Rana Smith
President and Chief Executive Officer, Chimp Haven
