Become a Best Friend

If Mason had a nickname, it would probably be “squirrel.” He’s always on the move and takes any opportunity to prank someone – human or chimp. His most distinguishing feature (his solid light brown face) has darkened with age, but it doesn’t take too long to recognize him: he’s the guy who’s always looking to stir up some trouble. Mason is Carlee’s dad and the alpha of his group.

Riley came to the sanctuary as a youngster, and he’s now the budding alpha of his otherwise all-female group. He often acts as though he’s a tough guy and loves rough play with his friends Quilla and Onyx. He is also very inquisitive, which makes him a perfect participant in positive reinforcement training. After winning the hard-earned respect of the high-ranking ladies in his group, Riley has risen to alpha. He’s so confident in his role, he even takes the liberty of trying to be the alpha of his neighbors’ groups as well!

We love a strong, bossy lady, and Cherry Blossom is one of the best. She uses her big, boisterous personality to live life to the fullest. Food is one of her great passions in life, and she always makes sure she gets the bananas she’s entitled to.

Sweet, endearing Angela is an older “auntie” figure who loves food and relishes in relaxation. Her rambunctious nephew, Riley, likes to push the limits of her patience with his hijinks, but she’ll playfully remind him that he’s not as big and tough as he thinks he is. When Angela was introduced to one of Chimp Haven’s brand new corrals, she made everyone proud by climbing up to the very top of the highest platforms, showing everyone that even an auntie still has some tricks up her sleeve.

A feisty girl with a big personality, Onyx earned the playful nickname “Bad Baby” from her caregivers early on, and she’s been living up to it ever since. She and her mom, Bumble, are very close even as Onyx asserts her independence by spending more time with groupmates Riley and Quilla. Onyx loves letting new caregivers know who runs the show by giving them her signature “chimp arm” (aka throwing her arm up toward them with her famous attitude). She’s also fascinated by the large barrels that were recently delivered to her group as enrichment and has been drumming on them constantly. If anyone asks her to give it a rest? They’re getting the chimp arm.

Sweet Marie is a loyal friend to the end – her caring nature has been known to win over chimps with a tough exterior. While she’s naturally a bit reserved, if someone is messing with her buddies they better watch out! When she’s not showering her besties with affection, Marie enjoys spending quiet time outside.

Jacob is an active member of a large social group, and though he is among the oldest chimps at the sanctuary, he still climbs to the top of play structures for grooming sessions and panoramic views of the forest around him. He makes excellent nests and is an easygoing and loyal friend. He’s a good caregiver, always close by when buddies are under the weather or in a gloomy mood. Jacob loves food and enrichment of all kinds.

Queenie B is known as the sanctuary’s “nosy neighbor” — she always knows what’s going on with everyone in her group. She’s a master at catching fruit and other food that’s given out, and often demands rather than asks when she sees a caregiver with goodies passing by, extending her arm high in the air signaling that she is ready for them to throw her a treat. If she is thrown something she doesn’t like, she’ll let it sail right past her, or even catch it and throw it back. If it’s something tasty like a perfect yellow banana, she’ll catch it like a pro.

Chimp Haven’s only former pet, Henry, was found in a garage where he had lived in deplorable conditions for 15 years, severely underweight and almost completely bald due to malnutrition. Today, he is healthy and has overcome many of the struggles that coincide with transitioning from life as a pet to greater freedoms that Chimp Haven provides.

Flora was named “Chimp You’d Most Like to Have as a Mom” and it’s no mystery why: She’s a wonderful, nurturing mother and groupmate. She’s very in tune with her daughter, Valentina Rose, and never likes to be too far away from her. She’s attentive, smart, and a great teacher during enrichment, but she’s also quick to discipline when Rosie gets out of line!

Barbara is big and beautiful, and although she can be aloof and independent, she’s still the apple of Henry’s eye. Barbara, however, is more interested in enjoying her favorite treats. She loves watermelon and will peer through the enrichment kitchen window for a sneak peek while staff are cutting it up. She’s also very adept at using tools to “fish” for treats hidden in enrichment devices.

Valentina Rose brings a fun, playful personality to her group. She loves a good game of chase with Carlee, and she’s a great tree climber. She usually grabs her morning produce and takes it straight up into the trees to eat. As she grows, her mom (Flora) still remains close by to keep a watchful eye.

Jeff Lebowski is known around the sanctuary for his handsome good looks. While he’s mostly a chill, sweet guy, he’s got a real gift for starting drama in his group, usually by pestering poor Kerstin until she can’t take it anymore. Even when he starts a fight, he has no interest in finishing it – he’s just not hip to social graces, although he’s trying harder these days. When he’s not stirring the pot, Jeff can be a really sweetie, and can often be found sitting quietly with groupmate Halley.

Tough guy Hugo is a bit of a sanctuary heart throb – the ladies love him, and he loves to stir up a little trouble. He’s technically his group’s alpha, but lately he and groupmate Hobbes seem to be sharing leadership responsibilities. After a power struggle, they seem to have discovered that a cooperative approach might be the most efficient way to lead. Although Hugo is a good, even-keeled leader, he doesn’t worry about taking himself too seriously; he gets away with any pranks with his signature smile. He also began participating in Positive Reinforcement Training over the past year and has thoroughly enjoyed mastering new behaviors. His favorite training cue is “lips” whereupon he adorably sticks his lips through the mesh as if puckering up for a smooch.

Akeem may have a heavy brow ridge that makes him look “mean,” but he is anything but. He loves to play stomp and chase with his care staff, but he won’t initiate it outright. Instead, he will gaze over at you, following you around until you notice him. When you stomp your feet and act like you’re ready to play, he’s off like a rocket! Akeem doesn’t shy away from his group’s politics, and as a high-ranking male, he’s especially interested in the social dynamics with other high-ranking boys Hugo, Bart, and Hobbes. He’s a chimp who needs a little time to wake up in the morning, but once he’s up, he’s ready to be in the middle of the drama or to train and play with care staff (but only when he wants to).

Carlee is the youngest resident at Chimp Haven, and the daughter of Passion and Mason, the group’s alpha. She grows stronger, feistier, and more independent every year, but she will definitely pull the “baby” card whenever she can. And when you’re as cute as she is, you can get away with just about anything! More often than not you can find her playing with Valentina Rose, one of her closest pals.

Hope is the socialite of her group – everyone wants to be seen with her. The first time she was introduced to new pals at Chimp Haven, it was clear she was going to be Miss Popularity, making friends quickly and putting the whole crew at ease. She’s also a bit of a ham and loves fishing for attention from the care staff. So, what do you get the girl who loves the Chimp Life? In this case, something to carry in her hip pocket. She’s known at the sanctuary for always carrying the latest accessories.

Austin is a sweet guy who often seems to be very deep in thought. He’s laid-back and relaxed, and enjoys spending a good sunny afternoon lounging around on the structure in his yard. He reminds staff of a quintessential surfer, very mellow. Hope is especially fond of Austin, and soon after he met her she was seen cuddling with him.

TJ is a sweet boy who loves a game of chase. He’s also a master nest builder, and especially likes using plastic toys to make himself a nice nest. He became fast friends with Hawkins who shares his love for a good game of chase, and he’s also very fond of his caregivers, specifically the ones he knows well. If you’re new, TJ needs a little time to feel you out, and if you try to get familiar too quickly he’s been known to throw a little poo to let you know he’s not feeling it. (However, he’s very careful with his aim so as not to accidentally get anything on his friends!)

Smarty-pants Maxi is an inquisitive girl with a bold personality. She’s extremely intelligent and loves toys (she can always be seen carrying around three or four of her favorites). She’s also got a mischievous streak, and likes to “steal” items and either craft them into tools or convince her caregivers to offer her a trade. This lady keeps her caregivers on their toes!

Taffy is a strong girl who’s not afraid to stand her ground around rough-and-tumble boys. She’s a great friend to her groupmates, but she can rival any chimp in the sass department. If a groupmate decides to show off with a loud display a little too closely? She might toss a plastic toy shovel at their head. But then she’ll invite some pals to go on a nice patrol walk.

Although Marcus is part of a large group, you can often find him doing his own thing. He may be a “grass is greener” chimp because he spends much of his time making heart eyes at the girls in his neighboring group, not paying much attention to his own groupmates. He tends to be a sweet flirt, softly knocking on his bedroom mesh to get the girls’ attention and then showing off with a quiet display and smile.

Gentle, sweet Sparky loves blankets, nesting, and sitting in the sun. The girls he came to the sanctuary with take good care of him, but they let him know when his big, loud displays start getting on their nerves. He loves attention from his caregivers – especially getting his head scratched – and likes showing his affection by grooming them too.