Latest news with #CHIMPAct
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Chimp Haven, the world's largest chimpanzee sanctuary
Spread out across 200 acres in Northwest Louisiana, Chimp Haven is the world's largest chimpanzee sanctuary. Every detail, from the moat to the meal plan, has been designed to ensure the more than 300 residents here are getting the most out of their retirement years. "A lot of the chimpanzees that are here, they spent decades in biomedical research before coming to sanctuary, but Chimp Haven provides their happy endings," said Rana Smith, the president and CEO of Chimp Haven. "Chimpanzees have been used in research for decades," Smith explained. "So, back in the 1950s and 1960s, they were part of the NASA space program, and in the '70s, kind of moved into infectious disease." Chimpanzees were instrumental in the development of everything from rocket ships to the Hepatitis B vaccine. In the 1980s, they were used in HIV research. But, precisely because of how similar they are to us, attitudes about chimp research began to change — in 2000, Congress passed the CHIMP Act, establishing a sanctuary system to care for retired research chimpanzees. At the time, lawmakers introduced the Act as a "humane" piece of legislation meant to protect "a group who have no lobby." It required the National Institutes of Health to kick in 75% of the funding for retirees, which isn't peanuts. It costs around $25,000 a year to care for each chimp, with donations supplementing federal funds. The banana budget alone is impressive — they go through 117,000 of them a year. Colony Director Michelle Reininger, like all staff at Chimp Haven, knows each of the chimps by name. Reininger said, for her, their personalities set these animals apart from any other species. "I like the sassy ones," she said. "I like the ones who you have to really work hard to get them to respond to you, and to trust you. When you get that trust, there's no feeling like it in the world, to have that bond with an animal." Days at the sanctuary are full of head scratches and lots of lazing around. The animals also receive regular checkups from veterinarian Raven Jackson. "Chimpanzee medicine is challenging," Jackson said. "It's like working with a really strong toddler. And so, I always say, each day I start with, 'Am I smarter than a chimp?'" There are days when Jackson feels outsmarted. "I work for them and they don't work for me," she laughed. Since Jackson's patients were retired at different ages, and a few are rescues or former pets, she treats a wide variety of conditions. Some of the chimps are as young as 7, while others are in their mid-60s. "We see the full gamut," Jackson said. "It keeps things very interesting. And I think it also keeps things interesting for the chimpanzees, because we're able to put them in these very dynamic social groupings where you're going to see various age ranges." Each of the 30 or so groups has its own characteristics and alpha leader. They don't always get along, but they're quick to make up. "They always want to reconcile very quickly," said Jackson. "It taught me, hey, it isn't worth holding onto anything. Like, learn from the chimps. Let it go. Reconcile, so that you can continue to move forward as a group." Moving forward a sanctuary like Chimp Haven may one day be unnecessary. Ten years ago, the NIH announced that it would no longer support any biomedical research on chimpanzees. While there are still some new arrivals — chimps that labs had initially deemed too challenging to move — eventually there will no longer be chimpanzees "retiring" from careers they never chose. Asked whether humans owe a debt to the chimpanzees, Smith replied: "Chimpanzees have given so much of their life to science. And we feel like it's our responsibility, and the government's responsibility to care for those chimps for the rest of their life." Idaho teen with autism dies after controversial police shooting Gayle King, all-female crew get ready to blast off into space Monday President Zelenskyy invites President Trump to Ukraine | Sunday on 60 Minutes
CBS News
13-04-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Chimp Haven, the world's largest chimpanzee sanctuary
Spread out across 200 acres in Northwest Louisiana, Chimp Haven is the world's largest chimpanzee sanctuary. Every detail, from the moat to the meal plan, has been designed to ensure the more than 300 residents here are getting the most out of their retirement years. "A lot of the chimpanzees that are here, they spent decades in biomedical research before coming to sanctuary, but Chimp Haven provides their happy endings," said Rana Smith, the president and CEO of Chimp Haven. "Chimpanzees have been used in research for decades," Smith explained. "So, back in the 1950s and 1960s, they were part of the NASA space program, and in the '70s, kind of moved into infectious disease." Chimpanzees were instrumental in the development of everything from rocket ships to the Hepatitis B vaccine. In the 1980s, they were used in HIV research. But, precisely because of how similar they are to us, attitudes about chimp research began to change — in 2000, Congress passed the CHIMP Act, establishing a sanctuary system to care for retired research chimpanzees. At the time, lawmakers introduced the Act as a "humane" piece of legislation meant to protect "a group who have no lobby." It required the National Institutes of Health to kick in 75% of the funding for retirees, which isn't peanuts. It costs around $25,000 a year to care for each chimp, with donations supplementing federal funds. The banana budget alone is impressive — they go through 117,000 of them a year. Colony Director Michelle Reininger, like all staff at Chimp Haven, knows each of the chimps by name. Reininger said, for her, their personalities set these animals apart from any other species. "I like the sassy ones," she said. "I like the ones who you have to really work hard to get them to respond to you, and to trust you. When you get that trust, there's no feeling like it in the world, to have that bond with an animal." Days at the sanctuary are full of head scratches and lots of lazing around. The animals also receive regular checkups from veterinarian Raven Jackson. "Chimpanzee medicine is challenging," Jackson said. "It's like working with a really strong toddler. And so, I always say, each day I start with, 'Am I smarter than a chimp?'" There are days when Jackson feels outsmarted. "I work for them and they don't work for me," she laughed. Since Jackson's patients were retired at different ages, and a few are rescues or former pets, she treats a wide variety of conditions. Some of the chimps are as young as 7, while others are in their mid-60s. "We see the full gamut," Jackson said. "It keeps things very interesting. And I think it also keeps things interesting for the chimpanzees, because we're able to put them in these very dynamic social groupings where you're going to see various age ranges." Each of the 30 or so groups has its own characteristics and alpha leader. They don't always get along, but they're quick to make up. "They always want to reconcile very quickly," said Jackson. "It taught me, hey, it isn't worth holding onto anything. Like, learn from the chimps. Let it go. Reconcile, so that you can continue to move forward as a group." Moving forward a sanctuary like Chimp Haven may one day be unnecessary. Ten years ago, the NIH announced that it would no longer support any biomedical research on chimpanzees. While there are still some new arrivals — chimps that labs had initially deemed too challenging to move — eventually there will no longer be chimpanzees "retiring" from careers they never chose. Asked whether humans owe a debt to the chimpanzees, Smith replied: "Chimpanzees have given so much of their life to science. And we feel like it's our responsibility, and the government's responsibility to care for those chimps for the rest of their life."
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Oldest New Mexico troop settles in Chimp Haven
KEITHVILLE, La. (KTAL/KMSS)—Chimp Haven recently welcomed retired New Mexico Alamogordo Primate Facility (APF) chimps. The final troop is among the oldest and most fragile to ever enter the sanctuary, with many in their 50s and 60s. These chimpanzees from APF are protected after a federal judge ruled against the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 2022 for violating the Chimpanzee Health, Improvement, Maintenance, and Protection (CHIMP) Act. Twenty-one chimpanzees, including the most recent group of six, were moved to the sanctuary over eleven weeks. They say it is a milestone in a decade-long journey to retire the chimps. It follows a focused effort by animal welfare groups, lawmakers, and supporters who tirelessly advocated for their retirement from the research facility to the sanctuary. Federal ruling finds NIH violated CHIMP Act; chimps must be moved to Chimp Haven They said transferring them to the sanctuary was risky due to their age and health conditions. However, extra care and collaboration have made this transition seamless to sanctuary life. They say the chimpanzees are in the process of integrating. 'For example, Al and Kamaka, two wild-born males, have joined a social group led by Tabu, a confident male, and four strong females,' says Chimp Haven. Chimp Haven's hidden gem is a Remarkable Woman with a loving heart – meet Lindsey Peters Chimp Haven is located on 200 acres in Keithville, just 39 minutes south of Shreveport, Louisiana. It provides an environment that closely mirrors the wild, offering these chimps a space to climb, forage, rest, and form deep social connections with others. This sanctuary is built for their physical, social, and emotional needs, giving them the best chance to thrive. 'Al, known for his tall, gentle presence, quickly captured the attention of caregivers and chimps. Kamaka, once fiery and energetic, has revealed a playful, more relaxed side since his arrival. The two have been observed grooming, playing, and resting with their new companions, signaling that their transition is off to a strong start.' Chimp Haven says. Seventh Tap Brewing and Chimp Haven team up to launch special beer 'These chimps, who have spent so many years waiting, are finally home,' said Rana Smith, Chimp Haven President and CEO. 'This is not just a momentous occasion for Chimp Haven, but for every person who worked tirelessly to make this possible. These chimps now have the space to roam, the care they need, and the chance to form deep, lasting relationships with their new companions.' As Chimp Haven approaches its 30th anniversary in 2025, the arrival of the final group of chimps from APF represents a milestone achievement in chimp welfare, ten years after NIH decided to end research on chimpanzees. They say this milestone is a full-circle milestone for the sanctuary, its supporters, and the chimpanzees whose lives will forever be changed. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
