Albert

Albert arrived at the sanctuary as a shy and anxious newcomer, but with patience, support from his caregivers, and the help of his chimp friends Chris and Pepi, he has blossomed into a more confident, playful chimp. One of the biggest milestones in Albert’s journey has been his improvement in shifting (our care team’s process for asking the chimps to come in and outside in order to clean their living spaces). Initially, he struggled, often getting distracted, especially looking out the window. But with patience and accommodations from his care team, within the past year, his shifting skills have improved drastically, and he no longer needs breaks and confidently moves outside. His social circle has played a crucial role in his transformation. Chris, who arrived at the sanctuary with Albert, has been an important companion. Pepi, another close friend, and the alpha of their group, has been remarkably tolerant and even embraces Albert to calm him down when needed. With these strong social bonds, Albert has learned how to navigate group life with greater ease. From a nervous newcomer to a thriving and beloved member of his sanctuary family, Albert continues to inspire everyone who has the privilege of knowing him. Albert has also discovered his love for training and loves to play chase with his caregivers. While some chimps will run the length of their bedroom hallways, Albert likes more of an agility run – darting left, right, left, and keeping you on your toes. (It’s a great HIIT workout, we’ll give him that.)