Chimp Haven retirees are trained, using positive reinforcement, to participate in their own veterinary care and individualized wellbeing plans. Chimps can be trained to show care staff a scratch on their arm, to take an injectable medication (such as insulin), or even to allow for monitoring of more complex health issues, such as arthritis or…
This summer, Michelle Reininger took the reins as Colony Director at the sanctuary after serving on the Animal Care team for five years. A native of South Dakota, Michelle began her career at a Texas sanctuary working with big cats, bears, wolves, and chimps. We sat down with Michelle to learn more about her path…
If you’ve met Opal, you’ve no doubt met Opal’s keys. Since the 38-year-old arrived at the sanctuary in 2016, it’s hard to remember a time when she didn’t have her beloved set of plastic toy keys in tow. Where she goes, they go. Opal is particular about who gets to “babysit” her keys. Only a…
Jordan Zivnuska, Animal Care Giver, Chimp Haven Loving. Playful. Protective. These words all describe Kelsey, not only as an individual, but in her role as a best friend. Kelsey arrived at Chimp Haven in 2016 and over time was introduced to her current troop. Kelsey is one of the higher ranking females in her group…
Clicks and juice for LaToya! This lady recently made some great progress in her positive reinforcement training. One thing you should know about LaToya is…she doesn’t like to shift. Shifting is something that happens every morning so that staff can clean the chimps’ habitats: all the chimps in a group are asked to come outside…
Today the Chimp Haven sanctuary is home to more than 250 chimps who have been retired from biomedical research. Here, they spend their days enjoying the Chimp Life, with forested habitats to explore, friends to meet, and fresh food to enjoy. Of course, our goal is to make sure all former research chimps get a chance…
Jordan Zivnuska, Animal Care Giver, Chimp Haven Chimpanzees, being incredibly intelligent tool users, are always coming up with new ways to surprise the care staff at Chimp Haven. Tinkerbell is one of the best at keeping us on our toes, as she recently proved in a battle of wills that we’ve come to know as…
