The Alamogordo chimps will transfer to Chimp Haven

Exciting news for the Alamogordo chimps! 

You may recall previous updates about 23 chimpanzees who remained at the Alamogordo Primate Facility (APF) in New Mexico. These chimps had previously been deemed ineligible to come to sanctuary due to their health statuses, but this week, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced that they will have their opportunity to come to Chimp Haven! 

We have always strongly believed that sanctuary is the best place for retired chimpanzees to live out their lives and are thrilled these chimps will finally have their opportunity to come to Chimp Haven, where they’ll receive expert care and an incredible retirement designed just for them – they’ve earned it. 

As we celebrate this wonderful news, we’ve got work to do.  

The NIH shared that the primary reason for the decision to move the chimps is that a significant number of current APF staff plan to retire in 2025, and, due to challenges with recruitment of qualified caregivers, it is in the chimps’ best interest to transfer them to Chimp Haven. 

As we’ve shared in previous updates, Chimp Haven is close to capacity. While we are prepared to welcome the first new arrivals from APF in early 2025, we will need to build additional living spaces to transfer them all.  

With the timeline for APF staff retirement next summer, we must start building as soon as possible. Thankfully, Chimp Haven has been preparing for this possibility and has plans for the spaces we’ll need to build to accommodate these sweet chimps. The expansion will likely cost a minimum of $4 million, which Chimp Haven must raise from private supporters. 

There are many details to be determined in the weeks to come, but for now, we celebrate this wonderful news for the APF chimps. They are on their way to a well-deserved retirement at sanctuary, and we cannot wait to welcome them home. 

We look forward to keeping you posted on their journey. From all of us at Chimp Haven, thank you for your support. 

Interested in how you can support the chimps? Chimp Haven’s most important, continued need is daily chimp care. You can support the chimps’ daily care needs at sanctuary this holiday season through our online catalog.  

Interested in supporting the expansion for the APF chimps? Enter your contact info below and we’ll be in touch! We’d love to have your support.

Rana Smith

President & CEO