Hi, Bestie!

Summer has arrived at the sanctuary, and the chimps are loving the beautiful weather in sunny Louisiana!

Your best friend Albert is doing so well! Since arriving at the sanctuary in 2018, he has truly grown. While he’s still the same sweet and playful guy he was when he first came, he’s really blossomed into himself, thanks in large part to his group mates who have come to love and appreciate his unique quirks and idiosyncrasies.

Albert loves playing chase with his caregivers and meeting new people at the pavilion, where he’s enjoyed all kinds of cool enrichment like personal concerts and dance parties with bongos. He loves to pant, bounce, and dive into new enrichment activities.

He’s made great progress in engaging with enrichment and finding clever ways to get his brain working through puzzles and novel experiences.

Albert’s a goofy guy living his best life, and we’re so grateful to be part of his Chimp Life journey.

Because of you, Albert is enjoying another beautiful season at Chimp Haven. Thank you for being his best friend!

Inky is a sweet, independent soul, who has a way of looking you deep in the eyes, like she’s looking straight into your soul. A gentle giant who avoids group drama, preferring her own company or the occasional patrol with her friends, Mocha and Denise, she’s a nest-making pro, often dragging hay to build cozy hideaways or carrying blankets draped over her like a turtle. Her super-secret nightly nest by the moat is her favorite spot, where she gazes at the stars and enjoys the great outdoors. Although she prefers to spend most of her time exploring her forest or sunning by the moat, she also loves her caregivers and will gladly come inside as long as they’re in for a play session or two.

Austin Powers knows all about the groovy Chimp Life, baby! Austin is an easygoing and observant guy who prefers the company of his fellow chimps over humans. He enjoys hanging out with his best friend, Chester, as they navigate moving up the social ladder, as well as joining the group for patrols around their living space. You can spot Austin by his characteristic pink lip and his big ears!

Summer has arrived at the sanctuary, and the chimps are loving the beautiful weather in sunny Louisiana!

Your best friend Buster Rhymes has been having a great time in his habitat with his friends. Not only is he the group’s alpha, but he also keeps watch over everything happening at the sanctuary, especially from the canopy of the treetops!

But Buster wasn’t always a tree climber. When he first arrived at Chimp Haven in December 2022, he had never climbed a tree before. That changed when he was introduced to a habitat next door to a group of skilled climbers. He took note and decided to give it a try himself.

This was an incredible moment, as in the wild, chimps learn to climb trees as youngsters. But Buster joined the ranks of so many fellow retirees at Chimp Haven by proving even an older chimp can learn new tricks. Not only did he become a tree climber, but he even inspired his own group mates to start climbing too.

The first time Buster ventured into the trees, his friends Inky and Denise were on the ground, looking up at him as if to say, “You’re not supposed to be up there!” They were clearly nervous for their friend, but before long, Denise decided to give it a shot herself, and now you can find her in the trees all the time.

Buster likes his alone time and often goes on patrols, whether or not anyone joins him. After all, that’s part of his job as alpha – to make sure their space is safe and sound. He also enjoys quiet time with Inky deep in the woods.

Though Buster is a strong and confident leader, he’s not overly stern. He’s totally comfortable showing his soft side. He loves playing footsie with his friends, being silly with his caregivers, and just having fun, and we love him for it.

Because of you, Buster is enjoying another beautiful season at Chimp Haven. Thank you for being his best friend!

Summer has arrived at the sanctuary, and the chimps are loving the beautiful weather in sunny Louisiana!

Jimmy Dean has been keeping it cool and collected this summer. He may still be one of the top-ranking guys in his group, but he’s long known the value of peace and stability, and these days, he’d rather steer clear of the drama. He’s totally content letting his buddy Mason take the lead as the group’s alpha. Jimmy’s more about the simple joys in life: spying on the neighbors from his favorite tree perch, brushing up on his positive reinforcement training, and maybe flirting with the girls next door.

While Jimmy’s all for a laid-back afternoon, his mischievous neighbor Sindee knows just how to stir the pot. The girls next door bring the spice, and sometimes it’s hard to resist when they call him over for a bit of fun. So sure, he’ll swing by and play along for a little while, but then it’s right back to his hammock, living his best life and cracking open a cold one (a blue popsicle, of course) with his own crew.

Because of you, Jimmy Dean is enjoying another beautiful season at Chimp Haven. Thank you for being his best friend!

Sophie is the highest-ranking female in her group, a take-charge mom with a fierce protective streak. She keeps a vigilant eye on her friends, but her biggest focus is her son, Gage—Sophie is the definition of a helicopter mom. Sometimes she decides that anyone paying too much attention to him deserves a little warning. Sometimes Sophie will decide that you’ve been looking at Gage too long and get upset—just because you were looking at him! Sophie hopes for her son to take on an alpha role someday, though he’s not quite interested yet. With her no-nonsense attitude, Sophie is a mama you don’t want to cross.

Summer has arrived at the sanctuary, and the chimps are loving the beautiful weather in sunny Louisiana!

Your best friend Diane is doing great!

Diane lives every kid’s dream: minimal parental supervision. She has a natural affinity for stirring up trouble, and, since her mom, Muffy, isn’t much of a disciplinarian, she gets away with all the sass. She loves to make sure her younger “cousins” join in on her fun, and while we can’t say she’s the best influence, they definitely think she’s a blast!

While Diane is starting to grow up a little, she’s still as spicy as ever. Lately, she’s been following Mason, the group’s alpha, trying to match his stride and take notes on what it takes to lead. Because if there’s one thing Diane loves, it’s power. For the recent Star Wars themed social holiday, “May the Fourth,” she received the type of enrichment she dreams of: a lightsaber. And just as we suspected, she chose the dark side. Diane loves to wield sticks and show off her moves, so we made sure this lightsaber didn’t actually have “the force” because we knew she’d be too powerful.

Diane’s confident personality ensures she’s towards the top of the social hierarchy, at least among the younger chimps. She loves picking on some of her more aloof groupmates just to keep things interesting, and with her boldness, we wouldn’t be surprised if she starts climbing that social ladder soon. (Stay tuned for her journey to world domination.)

Because of you, Diane is enjoying another beautiful season at Chimp Haven. Thank you for being her best friend!

Summer has arrived at the sanctuary, and the chimps are loving the beautiful weather in sunny Louisiana!

Riley is doing well, which is no surprise, because he continues to be the golden child in his big group of girls.

Lately, Riley has taken a particular interest in his neighbors, especially the boys in Zort’s group, stirring up a little chaos whenever he can. As the only male in his group, he’s enjoying the role of self-appointed defender, and making sure everyone knows how big and tough he is now.

Before heading outside, he’ll make a scene by banging on a barrel. He knows no one’s going to put him in his place, though we’re pretty sure the older ladies just roll their eyes at him.

Sometimes the aunties will humor him, acting slightly intimidated to help boost his ego, but we all know they aren’t actually afraid. That’s just what good aunties do.

Despite the occasional chaos, Riley has been making real progress with Positive Reinforcement Training. Lately he’s calmed down significantly, and his biggest area of growth has been learning to practice a bit of restraint, showing more diplomacy and allowing the girls to resolve their own conflicts. The group is building stronger social skills—and so is Riley.

That said, he’s still the same menace we know and love to his neighbors like Zort, Gary, and Dino. Being a nosy neighbor is just part of Riley’s brand.

Because of you, Riley is enjoying another beautiful season at Chimp Haven. Thank you for being his best friend!

Summer has arrived at the sanctuary, and the chimps are loving the beautiful weather in sunny Louisiana!

Onyx, also lovingly known as “Bad Baby,” “Troll Baby,” “Rain Baby,” “Baby Curl Girl,” or simply “Onnie,” has quite the collection of nicknames. No matter what you call her, this sassy girl has been thriving this spring.

Now in her coming-of-age years, Onyx has taken a sudden interest in the boys next door in Zort’s group. Her caregivers say she hardly used to go down to that part of her habitat, but lately, she’s been sneaking off for some secret meetings! We’re not sure if it’s out of curiosity or just another opportunity to stir up trouble. Whether it’s branches, tires, boomer balls, or whatever she can get her hands on, Onyx is known to use enrichment objects to pester and harass other chimps – all in the name of getting attention. She will be noticed.

Honestly, we love a chimp who knows how to keep life interesting.

You can almost always find Onyx outside, lounging on the play structures to soak up the sun and enjoy the summer breeze. She’s been loving every moment in the forest and on the structures with her friends.

Because of you, Onyx is enjoying another beautiful season at Chimp Haven. Thank you for being her best friend!

Bryan is the definition of “don’t talk to me before my second banana.” He’s sweet, playful, and always laughing, but only after 10 a.m. This big guy has no doubts about who should be in charge – him! He’s one of the most physically strong chimps around, and he makes sure to remind everyone of that fact every chance he gets. But just when you think you’ve got Bryan figured out, he surprises you with a big, playful burst of sweet energy that makes you see him in a totally different light.

Summer has arrived at the sanctuary, and the chimps are loving the beautiful weather in sunny Louisiana!

Your best friend Melody has been having a wonderful time of late. As the queen of sunbathing, she’s more than happy to lay out even during the colder months, but summer just hits different.

Sometimes she even gives staff a little scare when she sprawls out on her back, belly to the sky, limbs out, and snoozes hard. Because of her love for the fresh air, she’s often the last to come inside, and boy, does she take her time. Melody is a big believer in savoring every moment of the day. Your schedule? It does not concern her. She’s the ultimate level of chill – something we can all aspire to.

Even on cloudy or rainy days, Melody still loves to nap outdoors. But on those gloomier afternoons, she often seems more contemplative. Caregivers will spot her peacefully sitting and staring off into the trees, lost in her own little world.

Eventually, it’s snack time, and while she might throw a little sass your way for interrupting her precious forest time, she’s more than happy to chow down on a bell pepper or a mango, two of her favorite treats.

Because of you, Melody is enjoying another beautiful season at Chimp Haven. Thank you for being her best friend!

Summer has arrived at the sanctuary, and the chimps are loving the beautiful weather in sunny Louisiana!

Your best friend Sheena is a true outdoors girl, so with the beautiful spring weather, she’s been soaking it all in, taking long walks around the habitat, lounging under her cabana by the moat, and spending peaceful time in the woods with her friend Betsy.

Betsy is an elderly chimpanzee, and while she’s perfectly capable of holding her own, Sheena is always quick to step in if the boys give her friend too much trouble. It’s no wonder her nickname is “Warrior Princess.” She truly lives up to it.

Sheena has also been participating in recall training with her group, which trains the chimps to come indoors at the sound of a chime during weather emergencies. Since Sheena is deaf, this training looks a little different for her. Caregivers use an orange frisbee as her visual cue to come inside. She’s incredibly clever and continues to excel in her Positive Reinforcement Training sessions.

Because of you, Sheena is enjoying another beautiful season at Chimp Haven. Thank you for being her best friend!

Summer has arrived at the sanctuary, and the chimps are loving the beautiful weather in sunny Louisiana!

Your best friend Henry has had quite an exciting social season! Since he and his small group of ladies were introduced to a new, larger social group in the fall, Henry’s been spending lots of time navigating social dynamics.

Getting to know nineteen new groupmates is no small task, and it hasn’t come without a few disagreements. For a former pet who had difficulty learning how to “chimp,” Henry has done remarkably well making friends within the group. Since joining his new troop, he’s become more confident and relaxed. He’s been spending more time with his pals Austin and TJ, and of course, loyal Hope, who’s been a great friend since their introduction. During one especially dramatic group dispute, Henry shimmied up to the top of his structure to avoid the action. After things settled down, Austin greeted him with the biggest hug, Hope gave him lots of attention, and even Heidi and Spock stayed by his side for a while.

While his girlfriend Barbara has definitely caught the attention of some of the other males (and females!) in the group, she’ll always be number one in Henry’s heart. He’s also enjoyed peaceful moments with Nicole, often perched high above the sanctuary, quietly spying on the neighbors and enjoying the view. They’re both big fans of snooping, so they’ve bonded over the activity.

Hawkins has been trying hard to become Henry’s new buddy, but he’s a bit much—so it might take some time for Henry to warm up to him as he continues to navigate the social structure. Interestingly, Heidi has also been a surprising source of support—hot and cold as ever, but still showing up when it counts (which is saying a lot for someone usually at the center of the drama).
Because of you, Henry is enjoying another beautiful season at Chimp Haven. Thank you for being his best friend!

Summer has arrived at the sanctuary, and the chimps are loving the beautiful weather in sunny Louisiana!

Flora has been enjoying her spring, spending most of her time exploring the forest or hanging out with the younger girls. Flora definitely thinks she’s the “cool mom” because she hangs out with the kids, but she and they both know she’s still secretly keeping an eye on them. When things get too chaotic, she will still step in and back up the youngsters, despite being a lower ranked female in her group. She stays smart about her involvement, and she will still chase off the littles if they’re getting a little too bold (which is always). When she’s not navigating the trouble the kiddos are getting into, she enjoys more peaceful moments grooming with her daughter, Valentina Rose, and her friends. She’s a great mom who deserves all her flowers.

Because of you, Flora is enjoying another beautiful season at Chimp Haven. Thank you for being her best friend!

Summer has arrived at the sanctuary, and the chimps are loving the beautiful weather in sunny Louisiana!

Pierre has been having a wonderful spring. Although life looks a little different for him now, he’s still the sweet, gentle boy we all know and love.

Recently, Pierre stepped down from his role as alpha and has been letting the younger boys sort out who will take his place. While no clear leader has emerged just yet, Pierre has made his decision: he’s going to enjoy his retirement years, stress-free.

As he enters his golden years, Pierre has begun to experience some challenges with his eyesight. As he navigates these changes, his caregivers make sure he still gets the love, attention, and respect he deserves, plus a few extra carrots, just because.

His groupmates also continue to treat him kindly and respectfully, so Pierre is embracing a slower, more peaceful lifestyle. He lets the others manage the group dynamics while he focuses on what he loves most: relaxing, enjoying the sunshine, and munching on his favorite snacks.

Because of you, Pierre is enjoying another beautiful season at Chimp Haven. Thank you for being his best friend!

Summer has arrived at the sanctuary, and the chimps are loving the beautiful weather in sunny Louisiana!

Your best friend Valentina Rose has been having an excellent year. While she’s definitely a mama’s girl and rarely far from Flora’s side, she has also stayed close with her friend Carlee. The two of them have been spending even more time in the forest and playing by the moat. Their group already loves the outdoors, and this beautiful spring weather has made it even more enjoyable.

When she’s not hanging out with her bestie, Valentina Rose loves participating in positive reinforcement training—even if that means trying to hijack someone else’s session. She gets a little upset if you train with anyone but her, but she’ll quickly drop the act if higher-ranking chimps like Mason or Sara Soda show up for their turn.

At the end of the day, she’s always back with Mom to groom, nest, and cuddle—and we don’t think that will ever change. We love a mama’s girl.

Because of you, Valentina Rose is enjoying another beautiful season at Chimp Haven. Thank you for being her best friend!

Summer has arrived at the sanctuary, and the chimps are loving the beautiful weather in sunny Louisiana!

Your best friend Natalie has been doing great! She’s a big fan of snacks, and springtime brings plenty of fresh, in-season fruits and veggies, her favorite. You never have to lure or convince Natalie to come over at produce time. Even though she’s one of the younger girls, she’s always front and center, ready to catch as many tasty treats as she can.

We’re not sure where she puts it all, but she’s always down for a snack. Natalie is also very vocal during food tosses – she’s constantly asking for more. Even if you don’t see her, you’ll definitely hear her clapping. She may be small, but she has a huge presence. You can even hear her from a different habitat! Truly a big personality packed into a little body.

Lately, Natalie has been spending a lot of time with her friend Val’s mom, Flora. Flora is the “cool mom” of the group – the one who hangs out with all the youngsters. She and Natalie have been grooming each other, snuggling in nests and hammocks, and just relaxing together.

It’s been really special to watch Flora take a motherly interest in Natalie, while still staying close to her own daughter, Valentina Rose.

Because of you, Natalie is enjoying another beautiful season at Chimp Haven. Thank you for being her best friend!

Summer has arrived at the sanctuary, and the chimps are loving the beautiful weather in sunny Louisiana! As the days get warmer and longer, Jeff Lebowski has been living the good life—sunbathing every single evening. His friend Kerstin has been spending time with him too, along with Josephina, who loves hanging out with him during afternoon carrot time.

They all seem perfectly content just sitting together in peaceful company. Jeff and Josephina will share carrots and perch side by side, where Jeff often grooms her. Even when she doesn’t return the favor, he keeps grooming her anyway. That’s just the kind of gentleman he is.

Now, while Josephina definitely enjoys spending time with such a handsome guy, we suspect she may have some ulterior motives. Could cozying up to Jeff be her way of climbing the social ladder? This seems to be her latest strategy.

But Jeff isn’t exactly a high-ranking, in-your-face type. In fact, the dominant girls steal from him sometimes without much pushback. So, will Josephina’s plan work?

Stay tuned!

Because of you, Jeff Lebowski is enjoying another beautiful season at Chimp Haven. Thank you for being his best friend!

Summer has arrived at the sanctuary, and the chimps are loving the beautiful weather in sunny Louisiana!

Hugo is our sanctuary heartthrob, but even a heartthrob with all the girls after him still wants the one he can’t have. Enter Kala: probably the last chimp in the world to be interested in any kind of romance.

For some reason, Hugo has been obsessed with Kala from the start. And despite her perceived indifference, she’s been on surprisingly good behavior. (Or maybe she’s just too distracted by Hugo’s admiration to focus on making care staff chores more difficult!)

While Hugo pines for the curmudgeon he can’t have, Barbet is all googly-eyed for Hugo. So the classic question remains: Does Hugo chase unrequited love? Or does he embrace the affection of all the girls already fawning over him?

Only time will tell how this 80s rom-com plays out. Stay tuned.

Because of you, Hugo is enjoying another beautiful season at Chimp Haven. Thank you for being his best friend!

Summer has arrived at the sanctuary, and the chimps are loving the beautiful weather in sunny Louisiana!

Your best friend Carlee is doing great! She’s a big tree climber, so these sunny days have been perfect for swinging through the treetops.

When she’s not playing, she’s usually following her dad, Mason, around, making sure everyone knows she still deserves baby privileges…but also that she’s a big girl now and should be taken seriously!

Carlee’s spunky personality plays a big role in her high social ranking – she definitely gets away with more than the others. She’s always loved hanging out with older cousin, Diane, who, let’s be honest, might not be the best influence. But now, the student has become the master. Carlee has developed her own brand of mischief, and she’s gotten very bold about it!

As she gets older, her social calendar just keeps filling up. Between causing trouble with Diane, spending time with her best friend, Valentina Rose, and stirring up a little chaos here and there, she stays busy! But after a full day of shenanigans, she’s always ready to wind down and cuddle up with mom for a good night’s sleep.

Because of you, Carlee is enjoying another beautiful season at Chimp Haven. Thank you for being her best friend!

Summer has arrived at the sanctuary, and the chimps are loving the beautiful weather in sunny Louisiana!

Hope remains a loyal and caring friend, especially to her newest groupmate, Henry. She’s the kind of chimp who naturally takes others under her wing, often seen hanging out on the structure where she keeps a watchful eye on those who may need it. She’s quick to step in when needed but trusts Henry enough now that she hasn’t had to intervene much—though she’s always close by, ready to support him as he finds his footing.
While she still gets wrapped up in the occasional drama, because, well, that’s just part of her charm, she’s fiercely protective and generous with her attention.

Her warmth and attentiveness have made a big difference for Henry as he navigates the social scene, showing that beneath her spicy and sassy exterior is a steadfast and loving chimp. Because of you, Hope is enjoying another beautiful season at Chimp Haven. Thank you for being her best friend!

Summer has arrived at the sanctuary, and the chimps are loving the beautiful weather in sunny Louisiana!

Your best friend TJ is thriving this spring! He’s been enjoying his days, starting very early in the morning, perched on his structure, watching all the comings and goings of the sanctuary. And now, he has a new friend, Henry, to share this pastime with.

From the moment they were introduced, TJ and Henry really hit it off, immediately grooming and playing together. We’re so happy to see that their friendship has continued to grow – they’re still regular playmates and even occasional nesting buddies.

TJ is always down to play with anyone in his group, but Henry is an especially great candidate for a round of footsie – one of TJ’s favorite games.

Because of you, TJ is enjoying another beautiful season at Chimp Haven. Thank you for being his best friend!

Summer has arrived at the sanctuary, and the chimps are loving the beautiful weather in sunny Louisiana!

Your best friend Maxi has been doing well—enjoying her her popsicles, and all the fun, warm-weather enrichment activities. The chimps recently received “lightsabers” for the Star Wars-themed social holiday, “May the Fourth,” and Maxi, being the clever girl she is, decided to pick up both the green and red lightsabers—just to let everyone know she has ALL the Force.

“Princess” Maxi loves Positive Reinforcement Training so much that she’ll pitch a fit if she doesn’t get a turn to show off her skills. When her groupmates are training, she’s right behind them, letting everyone know, “Hey, I can do that too! Let me show you how it’s done.” And when you’re focused on working with another chimp and ask Maxi to wait her turn, she’ll audibly express her displeasure. Her distinct vocalizations make it crystal clear that she’s not happy being sidelined—after all, she is the star student, and she wants to make sure you never forget it.

Because of you, Maxi is enjoying another beautiful season at Chimp Haven. Thank you for being her best friend!

Summer has arrived at the sanctuary, and the chimps are loving the beautiful weather in sunny Louisiana!

Your best friend Taffy is doing great, and by great, we mean great for her. She’s been having a blast coming up with new pranks and picking out new staff members to mess with. One of her favorite tricks is faking you out just to make you jump, all so she can prove she’s tougher than you. She thinks it’s hilarious. And honestly, we let it slide – because it’s her world, and we’re just living in it. When you do visit her, she’ll give you that unmistakable “Um, can I help you?” look, just to keep you in your place.

When she’s not keeping us on our toes, Taffy loves hanging out with her notorious girl gang. Yes, Taffy is our very own Regina George of Mean Girls. She runs the show, and we all bow down to the queen.

She’s strong, she’s spicy, and she’s iconic. And because of you, Taffy is enjoying another beautiful season at Chimp Haven. Thank you for being her best friend!

Summer has arrived at the sanctuary, and the chimps are loving the beautiful weather in sunny Louisiana!

Your best friend Sparky has had quite the eventful spring! A huge fan of our maintenance team, their boots, and all things construction, Sparky has been in heaven lately with a new building addition being constructured just across the road, giving him a front-row seat to all the excitement: cranes, dump trucks, bulldozers galore! To celebrate, he received a special construction-themed enrichment, complete with lots of peanut butter and his favorite snack, mustard-covered pretzels, to enjoy while watching all the action.

Of course, at the sanctuary, there’s never a shortage of maintenance-related thrills. Most recently, a team came out to work on the air conditioning, and Sparky spent the whole morning up in the cupola, carefully observing the men working on the roof.

Because of you, Sparky is enjoying another beautiful season at Chimp Haven. Thank you for being his best friend!