Rosemary was an inspiration to us all

It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that Rosemary, 60, our longest living chimp at the sanctuary, died on July 25. Her sweet disposition will be missed and she will always be remembered as strong and resilient, an inspiration to us all.

We had recently photographed her medical record folder to show the long journey that led to her rescue by Primarily Primates so she could finally flourish in her own way instead of just being a number at a research facility. During her lifetime she was leased, loaned and moved around by the Primate Research Institute, Buckshire Corporation and Coulston International, and we know she was also exploited by NASA. Care staff always described her as sweet and trusting despite her past.

At PPI, Rosemary found refuge and friendship with her companions Justin, Hope and Lisa (her daughter). She had never met a human primate that she didn’t like and would back up Hope and Lisa when Justin acted a little mischievous. She loved to carry a sock “baby” in her hip pocket and climb 25 feet to the Primadome cupola where she could view the tree tops.