Press Releases

More chimpanzees to move to sanctuary in 2019 and beyond Anonymous major donation helps secure a future for more chimps awaiting retirement  KEITHVILLE, La., Jan. 18, 2019 – More than 200 chimpanzees still living in research facilities are now one step closer to sanctuary retirement thanks to a $2 million donation to Chimp Haven, the…

A Glimpse into Retirement at Chimp Haven with BBC America’s “Chimpsgiving” BBC America’s premiere of ‘Sue Perkins and the Chimpanzee Sanctuary’ gives US viewers first look inside the national chimpanzee sanctuary WHAT:           This Thanksgiving, join Pierre, pictured below, and the rest of his chimpanzee friends for a rare and inspiring behind-the-scenes look at their retirement…

Chimp Haven Welcomes Nine New Chimpanzees National effort to retire all former research chimps to sanctuary advances KEITHVILLE, La., October 24, 2018 – Nine new chimpanzees have arrived safely to experience retirement at Chimp Haven, a 200-acre forested sanctuary in Louisiana. “It’s very exciting to welcome former research chimpanzees to sanctuary,” said Rana Smith, president…

The World’s Largest Chimpanzee Sanctuary Opens to Public This Fall Visitors invited to explore the national chimpanzee sanctuary on Sept. 15, Oct. 20, & Nov. 17 KEITHVILLE, La., Sept. 6, 2018 – Located just 22 miles outside of Shreveport, La., Chimp Haven, the world’s largest chimpanzee sanctuary, is welcoming visitors for three select days this…

Chimp Haven Receives Largest Gift in Sanctuary History  Lead donation accelerates expansion at the national chimpanzee sanctuary KEITHVILLE, La., Aug. 31, 2018 –Chimp Haven, the largest chimpanzee sanctuary in the world, has received a $10 million gift from philanthropists and conservationists Kimbra and Mark Walter for an expansion of the refuge. It is the largest…

Dr. Jane Goodall Makes Historic First Visit to the U.S. National Chimpanzee Sanctuary Dr. Goodall met with experts from leading retirement refuge for former research chimpanzees KEITHVILLE, La., Apr. 20, 2018 – World famous chimpanzee champion Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute & UN Messenger of Peace, traveled to Shreveport, La.…

KEITHVILLE, La., Feb. 22, 2018 – For nearly a century, chimpanzees were used in biomedical research due to their genetic similarity to people. Those efforts came to an end in 2013 when the National Institutes of Health made a landmark decision it would no longer support invasive research on chimpanzees, and would officially retire all…

Chimp Haven, The National Chimpanzee Sanctuary, announced today it has appointed Rana Smith as President and Chief Executive Officer. Smith, the former National Director of Development and Marketing for the Petco Foundation, will assume the role held by Cathy Willis Spraetz, who will retire in July 2017. The nonprofit sanctuary was founded in 1995 in…

Ten new chimpanzees traveled from Alamogordo Primate Facility in New Mexico to begin their retirement at Chimp Haven, The National Chimpanzee Sanctuary, just in time for the holidays. “The wait is over for these chimpanzees,” Chimp Haven President and CEO Cathy Willis Spraetz said. “They are the first to arrive from the Alamogordo Primate Facility…