Primarily Primates, a 78-acre, nonprofit animal sanctuary accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries and located in San Antonio, has welcomed four chimpanzees from Freedom for Great Apes, an Oregon sanctuary that decided to close its doors.
Herbie, Emma, Jackson and CJ, aged 22 to 39, were carefully transported to Texas in a specially designed chimp transport vehicle with a crew from Project Chimps and were accompanied by three people from FGA, traveling with blankets and other comforts to ease their transition.
They’ve begun settling in at PPI, which was already caring for 29 chimpanzees, as well as approximately 170 other primates, including macaques, spider and patas monkeys, lemurs, vervets and capuchins. They were all exploited and discarded by the exotic pet trade and the research and entertainment industries.
PPI was founded in 1978, making it the first primate sanctuary in North America and the first to rescue chimpanzees requiring lifetime care following medical research. PPI cares for each animal individually and holistically, focusing on both physical and psychological health. PPI is not open to the public.
Months ago Freedom for Great Apes began thoughtfully preparing for the future of its remaining four chimps. Since it was established in Bend in 1995, its chimpanzee group naturally diminished, and the board of trustees decided it would be best that they be integrated into a larger sanctuary.
“When we learned that Primarily Primates, a larger primate sanctuary in Texas, had the capacity to expand and welcome the entire FGA chimpanzee family, we knew that this was the most supportive and best step toward their future,” the board said in a statement. “This ensures the chimps, who were all exploited by the pet trade, have access to a setting that supports their well-being, fosters social engagement and provides lifelong care.”
“With open arms, Primarily Primates and its Board of Directors welcomes Herbie, Emma, Jackson and CJ as its newest residents to our Texas sanctuary,” said Priscilla Feral, president of Primarily Primate’s board of directors and president of Friends of Animals, which has managed PPI since 2007. “We’re gratified to have been selected and look forward to their arrival.”
This new chapter will offer ex-pets Herbie, Jackson, CJ and Emma expanded opportunities for socializing and guarantee their lifelong care. It costs approximately $35,000-$40,000 annually for a sanctuary to provide care for one chimpanzee. Chimpanzees in sanctuaries typically live into their 50s.
FGA has partnered with PPI to design a new indoor and outdoor living space tailored to their unique needs. PPI has launched a $100,000 fundraising campaign to complete the project. Donations can be made here.
PPI staff always goes to great lengths to ensure that their intelligent and powerful chimpanzee residents have everything they need to play, exercise and problem-solve, resulting in happy, healthy chimps. That’s why the new habitat will encourage natural group interactions, incorporate species-specific structural enrichment and feature elevated tunnels that provide aerial vantage points for exploration and observation. This carefully designed environment will support their welfare because it allows the chimps to explore behaviors they'd use in nature such as climbing, foraging and social bonding.
Speaking of socializing, PPI’s newest residents are no wallflowers—they are outgoing and thrive on interaction. You can learn more about their personalities, as well our other residents, by visiting primarilyprimates.org.
