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Wildlife Waystation Chimps

The Wildlife Waystation Chimpanzees are Home!

When the Wildlife Waystation sanctuary in Los Angeles closed in 2019, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife stepped in to help find new homes for more than 400 animals that lived at the sanctuary, with the exception of more than 40 chimpanzees who remained there.

There are only a handful of accredited sanctuaries able to care for chimpanzees, who are extremely strong, smart, and socially complex, and require specialized care and housing.  The North American Primate Sanctuary Alliance was brought in to help locate new homes and lead the campaign to save these chimpanzees in need.

As of December 2022, all of the chimpanzees have been successfully relocated from the Wildlife Waystation to permanent sanctuary homes, including the Treetop Ten, who joined us at Chimp Haven. We can’t wait to share their new lives at sanctuary with you!

Film: A Checkered Past

Learn more about how the chimpanzees came to live at the Wildlife Waystation and the urgency to rescue them in this this 7-minute documentary short graciously donated by director Shaun Monson and featuring award-winning actors Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara.

The Treetop Ten

As a founding member of the North American Primate Sanctuary Alliance, Chimp Haven welcomed the final ten chimpanzees from the Wildlife Waystation — affectionately nicknamed the Treetop Ten — home in 2022, just in time for their first holiday season at sanctuary.

At Chimp Haven, these sweet chimps will have the opportunity experience large family groups to live in, spacious habitats to explore, and the very best expert care to keep them thriving. From the fresh, healthy diets delivered to them daily, to unique enrichment activities 365 days per year, life at Chimp Haven truly revolves around the chimps.

Meet the chimps below!

Amber
Axil
Buster
Connor
December
Denise
Inky
Mocha
Mousse
Tequila
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