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NAVS Visits Save the Chimps Sanctuary

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In June, NAVS was fortunate to visit the Save the Chimps sanctuary in Fort Pierce, FL.

Save the Chimps is a remarkable sanctuary dedicated to the well-being of approximately 220 chimpanzees. These chimps live on 12 expansive islands, offering them ample space to roam and live as freely as possible. It was truly inspiring to witness firsthand how these animals, many of whom have been rescued from research labs, the pet trade, and entertainment, now thrive in a more natural and enriching environment.

Our visit that day was led by Ana Paula Tavares, Chief Executive Officer at Save the Chimps. Ana Paula provided detailed background on every aspect of the sanctuary and introduced us to every staff member we met along the way. She put a spotlight on the entire staff at Save the Chimps and showed how they all work together to make the sanctuary and its residents thrive.

We heard from the medical staff, the nutrition staff, the chimpanzee care specialists, the facilities and project manager, and their chimpanzee behavior manager, who talked about managing a training program in operant conditioning for staff and chimpanzees. Being outside of the world of the day-to-day workings of a large sanctuary like Save the Chimps, it was a great opportunity to see the amount of dedication and cohesion displayed by the entire staff to complete the many tasks and duties that keep the chimps healthy, safe, comfortable, and living with as much personal freedom as possible.

That emphasis on freedom for the residents was perhaps the most noticeable throughout the visit. The chimps are not forced into any activities but instead live according to their own schedules and preferences. This approach ensures that they experience a life as close to freedom as possible. Additionally, the chimps receive specialized training to make medical care more comfortable and routine, ensuring their health is consistently monitored and maintained.

As of late June, a grant provided by NAVS’ Animal Sanctuary Assistance Program (ASAP) was able to help integrate four chimps from Ohio known as the “Ohio Four” into one of the islands. These four chimps, who had never known anything close to freedom or care, are now living a healthy and social life at Save the Chimps and that is thanks to generous support like yours.

We also saw how a grant from NAVS contributed to electrical work on one of the islands, further supporting the sanctuary’s infrastructure and the well-being of its residents.

Our visit reinforced the profound impact of your support. Seeing the sanctuary and interacting with the team provided invaluable insights into the daily lives of these amazing animals and the exceptional care they receive. It’s one thing to hear about their work, but witnessing it firsthand truly made clear the importance of our ongoing support.

Thank you for your unwavering commitment to NAVS and the sanctuaries we support. Your generosity makes it possible for these animals to live fulfilling lives. We look forward to continuing our work together to create a better future for all animals.