Hi, Bestie!

Your best friend Albert has been having a wonderful fall at the sanctuary!

His days lately have included pumpkins, trick or treat bags, and all kinds of seasonal enrichment to usher in much anticipated cooler weather and changing leaves in Louisiana.

Albert is a humble guy, but he has been quick to show off his skills as an unexpected KardiaMobile training whiz. Staff use KardiaMobile to gather heart monitor readings from the chimps, and while it can take some chimps a while to get used to the process, Albert picked it up quickly and is excelling. This is especially impressive because KardiaMobile is one of the more challenging training behaviors to learn, and Albert doesn’t usually show much interest in general training, but he’s clearly taken a special liking to this one!

Because of you, Albert has had a wonderful season at sanctuary, and has even more holiday treats and presents to look forward to. Thank you for being his best friend!

Your best friend Inky has been having a wonderful fall at the sanctuary! Her days lately have included pumpkins, trick or treat bags, and all kinds of seasonal enrichment to usher in much anticipated cooler weather and changing leaves in Louisiana.

Inky is an intelligent girl who eagerly participates in Positive Reinforcement Training sessions with her caregivers. These sessions allow her to take part fully and voluntarily in her medical care, and she’s always excited to show off her skills. Training is tailored to each chimp’s individual needs, and for Inky, her trainers have worked with her unique ear fold so she can position it just right against the mesh, allowing them to take a close look inside and make sure they’re looking good.

But this smart cookie knows how to have fun, too! Inky loves playing with her chimp friends and caregivers, taking long naps deep in the forest, and enjoying the outdoors. The cooler fall evenings by the moat have been especially perfect for this adventurous girl.

Because of you, Inky has had a wonderful season at sanctuary, and has lots of fun holiday treats and enrichment to look forward to. Thank you for being her best friend!

Your best friend Austin Powers has been having a groovy fall at the sanctuary! His days lately have included pumpkins, trick or treat bags, and all kinds of seasonal enrichment to usher in much anticipated cooler weather and changing leaves in Louisiana.

This fall, Austin got a change of scenery when he moved into a new living space — something his care staff coordinates throughout the year to keep life interesting for the chimps. Along with the new surroundings, Austin also made a new friend! A male chimp named Shaq was introduced to his group, and the two have been getting along well. Austin has spent plenty of time playing and grooming with Shaq, and the two seem to be forming a strong bond, which is exactly what we hope for during new group introductions.

Of course, Austin still wants Shaq to know just how big and tough he is, so every now and then he’ll show off with a display or two to ensure his place in the hierarchy.

Because of you, Austin Powers has had a wonderful season at sanctuary, and has lots of holiday treats and enrichment to look forward to. Thank you for being his best friend!

Your best friend Buster has been having a wonderful fall at the sanctuary! His days lately have included pumpkins, trick or treat bags, and all kinds of seasonal enrichment to usher in much anticipated cooler weather and changing leaves in Louisiana.

Although one of Buster’s favorite activities is playtime, he still maintains a strong alpha position in his group. The alpha’s role is to help keep peace, but since his group is generally easygoing, Buster has plenty of time for his favorite activities like brushing his teeth or painting during enrichment sessions. (Or, recently, joining his group in pulling a GIANT tree branch into their bedrooms, just to create a little excitement for their caregivers!)

He’s a sweet boy who knows when to stand his ground, making sure he gets his fair share of bananas and carrots, and he still enjoys chasing the girls from time to time. Buster is always excited to see his care staff; when they arrive at his habitat door, he’s bobbing his head, ready for a play session.

Because of you, Buster has had a wonderful season at sanctuary, and has lots of fun holiday treats and enrichment to look forward to. Thank you for being his best friend!

Your best friend Jimmy Dean has been having a wonderful fall at the sanctuary! His days lately have included pumpkins, trick or treat bags, and all kinds of seasonal enrichment to usher in much anticipated cooler weather and changing leaves in Louisiana.

Although Jimmy Dean holds a high rank in his group, not being the alpha gives him plenty of free time to relax and do his own thing. He’s the guy all the girls love to have as a best friend. Valentina Rose, Arden, and Natalie — some of the younger, lower-ranking ladies — love spending time with him. He does have a soft spot for Natalie, though, enough so that caregivers tease that she’s his “girlfriend” — the two are often seen together, lounging in the trees or sharing snacks. Since Natalie is lower-ranking, Jimmy can spend time with her without drawing too much attention from the alpha, which makes their bond even sweeter.

For a while, Jimmy Dean was the fun uncle to young Carlee, but now that she’s grown up, she prefers tagging along with the high-ranking girls as she learns to find her place in the hierarchy. Still, Jimmy Dean keeps a watchful eye on her. Even though she doesn’t nest with him anymore, he often joins her in the trees or at enrichment time to make sure she’s getting what she wants. What a good uncle!

Because of you, Jimmy Dean has had a wonderful season at sanctuary, and has lots of fun holiday treats and enrichment to look forward to. 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.

Your best friend Diane has been having a wonderful fall at the sanctuary! Her days lately have included pumpkins, trick or treat bags, and all kinds of seasonal enrichment to usher in much anticipated cooler weather and changing leaves in Louisiana.

Diane, our favorite little troublemaker, is still the bold and confident chimp she’s grown up to be, and holds her spot near the top among the younger chimps. She’s quick to tease her more reserved groupmates, and we would like to assume it’s all in good fun.

These days, Diane’s growing up and getting even more invested in group life. She’s higher ranking now, following in her mom Muffy’s footsteps and paying closer attention to group dynamics. She’s even been spotted shadowing Mason, the alpha, trying to match his stride and take notes on what it takes to lead. (Although she can only dream… for now.)

One thing’s for sure: Diane’s dreams of power aren’t fading anytime soon. Stay tuned for her continued quest for world domination.

Because of you, Diane has had a wonderful season at sanctuary, and has lots of fun holiday treats and enrichment to look forward to. Thank you for being her best friend!

Your best friend Riley has been having a wonderful fall at the sanctuary! His days lately have included pumpkins, trick or treat bags, and all kinds of seasonal enrichment to usher in much anticipated cooler weather and changing leaves in Louisiana.

Riley is still the golden child of his group and still very much… Riley. He has a strong hold on his position as alpha, and he has learned more patience and grace at food time. But every now and then, he gets in one of his moods and just has to hit something. Growing pains, right?

He still likes to throw his weight around with the girls, so deep down, we think he could really use another guy in the group to balance things out.

Of course, Riley’s nosy streak hasn’t gone anywhere. He’s still keeping a close eye on his neighbors, especially the new boys next door in Zort’s group, ready to stir up a little chaos whenever he gets bored. He might be maturing (a little), but Riley will always be Riley!

Because of you, Riley has had a wonderful season at sanctuary, and has lots of fun holiday treats and enrichment to look forward to. Thank you for being his best friend!

Your best friend Onyx has been having a wonderful fall at the sanctuary! Her days lately have included pumpkins, trick or treat bags, and all kinds of seasonal enrichment to usher in much anticipated cooler weather and changing leaves in Louisiana.

Onyx, (aka “Bad Baby,” “Troll Baby,” “Rain Baby,” or “Baby Curl Girl”) is growing up fast, but don’t worry, she’s still as spicy as ever.

This fall, Onyx has been spending more time exploring her habitat on her own. She doesn’t stick to her mom, Bumble, quite as much anymore and loves hanging out right in the middle of the habitat, where she can keep an eye on everything happening around her. Still, Bumble can’t help but baby her — she’s often caught handing Onyx an extra two or three bananas. We used to think Onyx was stealing them, but turns out, mom’s just spoiling her favorite girl.

Independence hasn’t mellowed her personality one bit. Onyx is still the queen of attitude. She’ll “chimp arm” you if she’s not getting her way, and when one of her caregivers playfully showed her an empty banana bucket, she was NOT amused.

Even as she matures, Onyx stays playful, bold, and endlessly expressive who makes sure everyone knows exactly how she feels. Life in the habitat is never boring with this “Bad Baby” around.

Because of you, Onyx has had a wonderful season at sanctuary, and has lots of fun holiday treats and enrichment to look forward to. Thank you for being her best friend!

Your best friend Bryan has been having a wonderful fall at the sanctuary! His days lately have included pumpkins, trick or treat bags, and all kinds of seasonal enrichment to usher in much anticipated cooler weather and changing leaves in Louisiana.

And this fall, Bryan is back on top of his game.

After a stretch during which he didn’t seem all that interested in holding onto power within his group, Bryan appears to have reclaimed his spot as alpha. After former alpha Pierre stepped down to enjoy his retirement, the leadership role bounced between Bryan and Duke, and for a while Bryan appeared to relinquish the position. However, the group is calmer these days, and their social cues seem to indicate Bryan is back in charge.

It could be a good thing for the group, since Bryan is a more direct, in-your-face kind of leader, and his confidence seems stronger than ever. Still, despite his tough side, he will never turn down a play or training session — even when it’s not his turn! Bryan just loves to sit close by, sip juice, and soak up the attention.

Because of you, Bryan has had a wonderful season at sanctuary, and has lots of fun holiday treats and enrichment to look forward to. Thank you for being his best friend!

Your best friend Melody has been having a wonderful fall at the sanctuary! Her days lately have included pumpkins, trick or treat bags, and all kinds of seasonal enrichment to usher in much anticipated cooler weather and changing leaves in Louisiana.

Melody is soaking up every bit of fall sunshine she can get: When the sun’s out, so is Melody. This girl lives for her outdoor time and gives caregivers a hard time about coming inside, mostly because she’s too busy napping in her favorite sunny spot. She stretches out flat on her back with her belly to the sky and limbs sprawled in every direction.

Melody takes her time when it’s time to come inside. She moves at her own pace and on her own terms, because your schedule doesn’t concern her.

Of course, even the chillest girl can’t say no to snacks. Interrupt her sunbathing session with a mango or bell pepper, and she’ll forgive you pretty quickly. Melody may be mellow, but she knows exactly what she wants: sunshine, snacks, and absolutely no rush.

Because of you, Melody has had a wonderful season at sanctuary, and has lots of fun holiday treats and enrichment to look forward to. Thank you for being her best friend!

Your best friend Sheena has been having a wonderful fall at the sanctuary! Her days lately have included pumpkins, trick or treat bags, and all kinds of seasonal enrichment to usher in much anticipated cooler weather and changing leaves in Louisiana.

Sheena loves nothing more than long strolls through the habitat, lounging under her cabana, and spending time with her friends.

Her primary nickname is “Warrior Princess” but her secondary identity is the group’s caregiver. When her group mates aren’t feeling the best, Sheena is always the one to comfort them. Betsy, although totally healthy, is one of the oldest ladies in the group, and whether she needs a little help holding her own or not, Sheena seems to take it upon herself to look after her. They spend many mornings and afternoons grooming and spending time together.

Sheena continues to shine in her Positive Reinforcement Training. Because she’s deaf, she relies on a visual cue — an orange frisbee — to know when it’s time to come inside for recall training, and she’s got it down perfectly.

Because of you, Sheena has had a wonderful season at sanctuary, and has lots of fun holiday treats and enrichment to look forward to. Thank you for being her best friend!

Your best friend Henry has been having a wonderful fall at the sanctuary! His days lately have included pumpkins, trick or treat bags, and all kinds of seasonal enrichment to usher in much anticipated cooler weather and changing leaves in Louisiana.

Henry is thriving this fall and continuing to settle beautifully into life with his big new family.

Earlier this year, Henry joined a large group of nineteen chimpanzees, a big step for someone who didn’t grow up around other chimps. But he’s adjusted wonderfully. Hope, the group’s unofficial “welcoming committee,” quickly became one of his best friends, as well as Nicole, his favorite partner in nosey business. If Henry’s checking something out, Nicole’s right there beside him.

He’s even built some solid friendships with the boys, especially Spock, who he loves to play footsie with, and TJ. Bowen, on the other hand, might take a little more warming up, but we’re hopeful their relationship will grow over time. Henry still keeps close ties with the girls from his previous group: Barbara (his first love), Twyla, and Quinta, who continue to be his comfort zone in this big new crowd.

From his days of isolation to his full, social life today, Henry has come such a long way.

Because of you, Henry has had a wonderful season at sanctuary, and has lots of fun holiday treats and enrichment to look forward to. Thank you for being his best friend!

Your best friend Flora has been having a wonderful fall at the sanctuary! Her days lately have included pumpkins, trick or treat bags, and all kinds of seasonal enrichment to usher in much anticipated cooler weather and changing leaves in Louisiana.

Flora has been enjoying the cooler fall days, often spotted exploring the forest or relaxing with the younger girls. Every afternoon, her group loves to hike down to the moat for their “happy hour” grooming each other, playing, and sipping water from the shore.

Flora and the group alpha, Mason, continue to have a complicated “frenemies” friendship. They’re close and spend plenty of time together — even sitting side by side during enrichment activities, but their relationship can be unpredictable, especially since one of Mason’s favorite pastimes is pushing her buttons. Good thing Flora is a patient mama.

Flora still considers herself the “cool mom” of the group, often hanging out with the kiddos while secretly keeping an eye on them to make sure they don’t get into too much trouble. She enjoys peaceful grooming sessions with her daughter, Valentina Rose, and her close friends, and remains a wonderful mom and a steady, caring presence in her group.

Because of you, Flora has had a wonderful season at sanctuary, and has lots of fun holiday treats and enrichment to look forward to. Thank you for being her best friend!

Your best friend Pierre has been having a wonderful fall at the sanctuary! His days lately have included pumpkins, trick or treat bags, and all kinds of seasonal enrichment to usher in much anticipated cooler weather and changing leaves in Louisiana.

Pierre has been doing really well this fall and continues to enjoy a peaceful retirement. Although he’s stepped away from his alpha role, he’s still the same sweet, gentle boy we all know and love — just a little more focused on comfort and calm these days.

He’s most often seen spending time and grooming with his closest friends, Tessa, Jill, and Duke. Pierre has also been doing great about coming inside when his caregivers need to clean his living space, not just when the weather turns chilly, but even when it rains — a big step for him! Pierre is also still working on his recall training, and while he’s learning steadily, it seems he responds best when he hears his name called by someone he’s especially fond of.

Although he continues to experience challenges with his eyesight, he moves confidently around and off the structures in his play yard, which he knows by heart. His vet team is partnering with a specialist to take a look at his eyes, and while we don’t know what the outcome will be just yet, we hope to be able to explore options for this senior boy and other chimps like him.

Overall, Pierre is enjoying a peaceful and cozy fall, surrounded by friends, fresh air, and plenty of carrots — just the way he likes it.

Because of you, Pierre has had a wonderful season at sanctuary, and has lots of fun holiday treats and enrichment to look forward to. Thank you for being his best friend!

Your best friend Valentina Rose has been having a wonderful fall at the sanctuary! Her days lately have included pumpkins, trick or treat bags, and all kinds of seasonal enrichment to usher in much anticipated cooler weather and changing leaves in Louisiana.

Valentina Rose is still very much a mama’s girl and never far from Flora’s side. The two of them nest together every night, grooming and cuddling before bed. Their bond is as strong as ever, and it’s heartwarming to see how close they remain even as Rosie grows older.

Valentina Rose is spending plenty of time outdoors enjoying the crisp fall air and colorful changing leaves. She loves exploring the forest, playing by the moat, and soaking in all the sights and sounds of the season. She still enjoys hanging out with her best friend Carlee, especially during the group’s afternoon “happy hours” by the moat.

She’s as playful as ever and continues to shine during her positive reinforcement training sessions. She loves the attention training brings (and doesn’t mind trying to sneak in an extra turn or two to show off her skills!)

Because of you, Valentina Rose has had a wonderful season at sanctuary, and has lots of fun holiday treats and enrichment to look forward to. Thank you for being her best friend!

Your best friend Natalie has been having a wonderful fall at the sanctuary! Her days lately have included pumpkins, trick or treat bags, and all kinds of seasonal enrichment to usher in much anticipated cooler weather and changing leaves in Louisiana.

Natalie is still one of the most enthusiastic snack lovers around, and now that the weather’s cooler, she’s all about cozying up with plenty of fresh, seasonal fruits and veggies during her group’s produce time. During food tosses, you might not see her right away, but you’ll definitely hear her. She may be small, but her presence fills the whole habitat. She’s always front and center, ready to catch as many treats as she can. Although she isn’t the most assertive girl, she’s patient, and she’ll (not so quietly) wait for her groupmates to get their share before clapping for extras at the end. Extra claps = extra snacks!

Natalie continues to spend lots of time with her close friend Jimmy. The two are often spotted together in the trees, relaxing or exploring side by side. They’ve always shared a special bond, and it’s sweet to see their friendship stay strong through the years. All the girls love Jimmy, but he seems to have an extra special place in his heart for Natalie.

While Natalie tends to stay toward the lower end of her group’s social hierarchy, she doesn’t seem too concerned with rank or appearances. She’s perfectly content doing her own thing — enjoying time with Jimmy, hanging out with the mom-and-daughter duo Flora and Valentina Rose, and making the most of the beautiful fall season.

Because of you, Natalie has had a wonderful season at sanctuary, and has lots of fun holiday treats and enrichment to look forward to. Thank you for being her best friend!

Your best friend Jeff Lebowski has been having a wonderful fall at the sanctuary! His days lately have included pumpkins, trick or treat bags, and all kinds of seasonal enrichment to usher in much anticipated cooler weather and changing leaves in Louisiana.

Jeff spends much of his time just hanging out, lost in his own thoughts and daydreams. He doesn’t seek out a lot of activity – he’s content in his own head, enjoying a good lounge in the sunshine or perched on a favorite shelf where he can get a glimpse at his neighbors in Flora’s group.

When he is not lounging, you can find him patrolling his habitat with the other boys a couple of times a day, soon followed by carrot and chow time – two of his favorite activities. Snack time is usually his special quality time with pals Kerstin and Josephina, two of his best girlfriends. Jeff and Josephina will sit side by side, sharing snacks, while he gently grooms her. Even if she doesn’t return the favor, he continues anyway because that’s the kind of gentleman he is.

Because of you, Jeff Lebowski has had a wonderful season at sanctuary, and has lots of fun holiday treats and enrichment to look forward to. Thank you for being his best friend!

Your best friend Hugo has been having a wonderful fall at the sanctuary! His days lately have included pumpkins, trick or treat bags, and all kinds of seasonal enrichment to usher in much anticipated cooler weather and changing leaves in Louisiana.

Everyone’s favorite sanctuary heartthrob has been settling into a slower, more relaxed fall at the sanctuary. He has stepped back from his responsibilities as alpha, letting the other guys take the reins for now. We’re not sure if he’s taking a well-deserved fall break or if he’s ready to retire, but for the time being, Hugo seems much more interested in enjoying his snacks and entertaining an unrequited love affair than he does hanging onto group power. Even with all the attention he receives from the ladies, Hugo still has his heart set on the one he can’t have: Kala. (She remains blissfully – and grumpily – indifferent.)

Meanwhile, Barbet is still smitten with Hugo. So the question lingers this fall: will Hugo continue to pine for unrequited love, or will he embrace the affection of the many girls already fawning over him?

For now, Hugo is content enjoying his naps, snacks, and days spent pushing the girls’ buttons — and he may be perfectly happy just doing that.

Because of you, Hugo has had a wonderful season at sanctuary, and has lots of fun holiday treats and enrichment to look forward to. Thank you for being his best friend!

Your best friend Carlee has been having a wonderful fall at the sanctuary! Her days lately have included pumpkins, trick or treat bags, and all kinds of seasonal enrichment to usher in much anticipated cooler weather and changing leaves in Louisiana.

These days, Carlee is focused on making her way up the social hierarchy, and she clearly has big plans. She’s following the high-ranking ladies around and learning the ropes — and seems to be going straight for the top. While she doesn’t hang out with her Uncle Jimmy as much anymore, he’s still keeping a watchful eye on her, making sure his bold little niece stays on track.

Carlee’s spunky personality continues to serve her well. She’s always gotten away with more than others her age, and now she’s developing her own brand of mischief — bold, clever, and unapologetic. She’s still close with her older cousin Diane, and together, they’re the perfect partners in chaos.

Between stirring up shenanigans, spending time with her best friend Valentina Rose, and navigating the complex social world of the group, Carlee keeps herself busy. But no matter how full her day, she always winds down by cuddling up with her mom. Passion for a cozy night’s sleep.

Because of you, Carlee has had a wonderful season at sanctuary, and has lots of fun holiday treats and enrichment to look forward to. Thank you for being her best friend!

Your best friend Hope has been having a wonderful fall at the sanctuary! Her days lately have included pumpkins, trick or treat bags, and all kinds of seasonal enrichment to usher in much anticipated cooler weather and changing leaves in Louisiana.

Hope is enjoying a peaceful and sunny fall at the sanctuary. As the weather cools, she’s been spending plenty of time outside, sunbathing and soaking up the crisp autumn air. Now that it’s cooler, she often brings a blanky with her for extra cozy comfort, and she loves curling up with a friend on a shelf for a little company.

Beneath her sassy exterior, Hope remains a loyal and caring friend, especially to her newest groupmate, Henry. The two of them, along with nosey Nicole, often spend time together outside, lounging and enjoying the season. Hope has a natural way of taking others under her wing, offering support when needed, though these days she’s been able to relax more — Henry has been finding his footing, and she’s been happy to simply hang out alongside him.

She’s still the thoughtful, attentive friend she’s always been, quick to step in when necessary, but lately, Hope hasn’t been at the center of the group drama. She’s decided to be a little pickier with her energy, and would rather devote it to enjoying her easy breezy fall with her friends.

Because of you, Hope has had a wonderful season at sanctuary, and has lots of fun holiday treats and enrichment to look forward to. Thank you for being her best friend!

Your best friend TJ has been having a wonderful fall at the sanctuary! His days lately have included pumpkins, trick or treat bags, and all kinds of seasonal enrichment to usher in much anticipated cooler weather and changing leaves in Louisiana.

TJ still starts his days early, perched on his favorite structure, keeping an eye on all the comings and goings — sometimes with his buddy Henry by his side. The two remain close friends, often grooming, playing footsie, and even occasionally nesting together.

Lately, TJ has shown a particularly sweet and protective side toward Quinta, who hasn’t been feeling her best. He’s been paying her extra attention, grooming, hanging out nearby, and making sure she feels supported — a change from his usual “sweet to everyone, but not specifically one chimp in particular” social approach.

TJ has also been on his best behavior with the group and his caregivers overall. He’s taking it easy, opting out of hazing newbies like he usually does, and preferring lighter mischief — a game of chase or poking his caregiver’s shoes.

Because of you, TJ has had a wonderful season at sanctuary, and has lots of fun holiday treats and enrichment to look forward to. Thank you for being his best friend!

Your best friend Maxi has been having a wonderful fall at the sanctuary! Her days lately have included pumpkins, trick or treat bags, and all kinds of seasonal enrichment to usher in much anticipated cooler weather and changing leaves in Louisiana.

Maxi is still the clever, mischievous “princess” we all know. She remains a devoted “girls’ girl,” still close with her girl gang, Taffy, Queenie, and Cybill. But she also loves to stir up drama with the boys — Hugo is a particular favorite target, since he enjoys teasing the girls too.

Maxi is a nosey girl with a knack for inserting herself into any group drama just to be the center of attention. When she pant-hoots, most staff at the sanctuary have come to recognize her voice instantly – she’s just. That. Loud.

Cooler weather hasn’t slowed down Maxi’s training schedule — as a star student, she would never be the one to miss a day of class (or extra juice and treats). She continues to shine during Positive Reinforcement Training (which comes as a surprise to no one), and if she’s asked to wait her turn, her distinct vocalizations make it very clear that she is not happy about being sidelined. She is the star student and wants everyone to know it!

Because of you, Maxi has had a wonderful season at sanctuary, and has lots of fun holiday treats and enrichment to look forward to. Thank you for being her best friend!

Your best friend Taffy has been having a wonderful fall at the sanctuary! Her days lately have included pumpkins, trick or treat bags, and all kinds of seasonal enrichment to usher in much anticipated cooler weather and changing leaves in Louisiana.

To be feared or to be loved? That is the question. And resident “it girl”, professional bug squasher, and fiercely independent girl boss Taffy prefers both.

Taffy remains the social queen of the girls, hanging out with her “girl gang” which includes Maxi, Cybill, and Queenie B. If you’re a fan of the movie Mean Girls, you won’t be surprised to learn that she’s known as the “Regina George of Chimp Haven.”

This season, she’s been enjoying naps in her hammock, playing pranks on care staff, running her loyal girl gang, and forgetting to pick on chimps her own size. If she’s in a mood, she makes sure everyone knows with a well-served “Um, can I help you?” look.

Because of you, Taffy has had a wonderful season at sanctuary, and has lots of fun holiday treats and enrichment to look forward to. Thank you for being her best friend!

Your best friend Sparky has been having an eventful fall here at the sanctuary! His days lately have included pumpkins, trick or treat bags, and all kinds of seasonal enrichment to usher in much anticipated cooler weather and changing leaves in Louisiana.

In October, Sparky’s group was introduced to a forested habitat for the first time — and Sparky wasted no time making himself at home. If you know anything about Sparky, you know he loves big trucks and construction, so his friends from the maintenance team even came by to watch and cheer him on! As they watched, he proudly found the biggest stick to toss from a structure and later claimed the perfect spot by the moat to sit and watch the team work in their shop.

Although he still enjoys a good boot-grooming session or playtime with his caregivers, Sparky has really taken to his new outdoor space and is making the most of it. One of his groupmates, Katy, even climbed a tree for the first time, so now we’re all waiting to see if brave Sparky will follow her lead.

Because of you, Sparky has had a wonderful season at sanctuary, and has lots of fun holiday treats and enrichment to look forward to. Thank you for being his best friend!