Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

From Entertainment to Sanctuary:

George's First Chance to Be a Chimpanzee

At 16-months old, people could pay $5 to have their picture taken with George at a casino. Shortly after, he was shipped to Germany to be used in television. Now housed at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest during legal proceedings, he's discovering what it means to be a chimpanzee for the very first time.

George's Early Years:

George's was born on a Hollywood training compound on April 5, 2004. 

From his earliest days, he was used to make a buck for animal trainer Steve Martin's Working Wildlife.

 Instead of growing up in a chimpanzee family, as an infant he was forced to travel to be used as a photo prop, where people would pay to get their picture taken with him. During one event, an onlooker described George as, "nervous and uncomfortable" and witnessed George biting the hand of an animal trainer.

George was not raised by chimpanzees or allowed to learn natural behaviors. He was viewed as a money-making opportunity rather than the intelligent, social individual he is. This is exactly why CSNW advocates against using primates in entertainment.

At two years old, George was shipped to Germany and became one of over a dozen chimpanzees used to portray the main character in the German TV series "Unser Charly," which ran for 16 seasons. 

When he was six years old and no longer useful in the entertainment industry, he was sold to West Coast Game Park Safari, replacing a male chimpanzee, Sam, who had died. For the next 13 years, he lived with just one companion, a much older female chimpanzee named Daphne at the roadside zoo on the Oregon coast.

In November, 2023, Daphne passed away, and George was alone.

When we received the emergency call about George this past spring, we didn't hesitate.  On May 15th, 2025, during a massive animal welfare operation, George was removed from West Coast Game Park. He became the first of 310 animals that were seized under the authority of the Oregon State Police and Oregon Humane Society.

According to PETA, he was the last remaining solitary chimpanzee in a U.S. roadside animal park.

Now, he's free to explore a large habitat, practice natural chimpanzee behaviors, build his social skills as he's introduced to other chimpanzees, and rest peacefully.

George's entertainment industry background wasn't his choice. He was denied the chance to learn natural chimpanzee behaviors and experience family bonds. While his ultimate future is still technically in the hands of the court system, we will do anything in our power to help him. Your generosity makes it possible for us to help survivors like George, whether from entertainment or biomedical testing, discover their true nature.

Your Giving Day for Apes donation directly supports:

• Social integration programs to allow chimpanzees to live with compatible companions
• Educational outreach to share why primates don't belong in people's homes, casinos, TV shows, or medical laboratories
• First-time experiences - George's first first squeaks at the sight of cherries, first social grooming, first chimpanzee friendships, first time walking to the top of the 2-acre Bray enclosure
• Daily care for our other 15 chimpanzee residents who help teach newcomers like George how to be a chimpanzee

Why George's Story Matters for Giving Day for Apes

This annual competition brings together supporters worldwide to ensure sanctuaries like ours can continue our mission. George's story shows exactly why this work is so important. 

His story, and the stories of all of those in our care, continues. 

Your support writes the rest of their stories. 

Donate Now

George at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest