An Alamogordo Chimps Update!
In November, we told you about the landmark decision that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) made to release the last 23 chimps held at the Alamogordo Primate Facility in New Mexico and move them to Chimp Haven in Louisiana. Our friends at Chimp Haven, the world’s largest chimpanzee sanctuary and home to hundreds of former research chimps, are busy preparing to welcome these new residents, and the team is eagerly looking forward to bringing them home. On top of that, Chimp Haven recently celebrated its 30th anniversary! Thanks to your support, we have been able to provide assistance to Chimp Haven – funds that help with medical assistance, building maintenance, and relocation efforts – many times over those 30 years.
In their latest correspondence, they sent along some pictures of their special holiday festivities, including holiday enrichment for all residents and a “Chimpmas Parade,” a long line of holiday-themed floats (aka golf carts) which visited each chimp group with music that the chimps greeted with pant-hoots and games of chase when the carts passed by.
We will continue to keep you updated when we have news of the Alamogordo chimps’ arrival at their new home. Thank you sincerely for your ongoing support of our efforts to not only change the way science is conducted for the future, but to take care of the animals that have already suffered. Your donations make it so that sanctuaries like Chimp Haven can provide these brilliant creatures with the fulfilling, wondrous lives that they deserve.