Update: Expanding the Chimp Haven sanctuary to Welcome Them Home
Chimp Haven
February 22, 2019
Today the Chimp Haven sanctuary is home to more than 270 chimps, most of whom have been retired from biomedical research. But with more than 200 chimps still remaining in research facilities waiting to come to Chimp Haven, our work is not done yet.
With our current facility very close to capacity, we’re expanding to create additional habitats, bedrooms, and veterinary suites to support our growing chimp family. It’s a $20 million labor of love for the chimps, and we need your help to finish strong!
Three new forested habitats will provide a comfortable and enriching space to accommodate new retirees, and will include all the things chimpanzees love—open forest, grassy substrates and space to climb, play, interact, search for food, and simply enjoy life. Recently steel framing for habitat walls was completed. Outdoor enclosure walls are made of wood and mesh so that neighboring chimpanzee groups will be able to see and interact with one another.The addition of two new open-air corrals, with 15,000 square feet of green grass, growing trees, and multi-level structures for chimpanzees to explore, will give Chimp Haven even more flexible spaces in which chimpanzee groups can live, play, and eat. Both corrals include play structures and an overhead canopy shade to keep the chimps comfy in warm weather. The main platforms for the play structure are complete in one corral, and framing for the roof canopies is complete in both corrals.Since many of our chimps have been exposed to infectious diseases or have chronic health conditions, specialized veterinary clinics are a critical part of the sanctuary. New, state-of-the-art veterinary suites will ensure that all retirees receive the very best veterinary care. Construction on these spaces is currently about 55 percent complete and will include staff support space and a pharmacy in addition to a vet clinic.It may not look like much now, but soon this space will house a much-needed commissary to story the chimp’s food, as well as a prep kitchen for meals and enrichment. The chimps eat more than 300,000 pounds of food each year and receive enrichment every single day. A nice, big space to store and prep will be a game changer for staff as they care for our growing colony.
The first phase of expansion construction is expected to be completed in late 2019, with full completion in 2020. Your support will help us take a monumental step toward bringing the 200 chimpanzees that remain in research facilities home to sanctuary.
