Save the Chimps

Honoring Our African-Born Elders

Save the Chimps is home to nearly 220 chimpanzees rescued from medical research, the entertainment industry, and the pet trade. Among them is a very special group: elderly chimpanzees born in Africa.

As infants, they were torn from their mothers and taken from the wild, a traumatic journey that brought them to the United States, where they were sent into laboratories, including the infamous Coulston Foundation. They endured decades of confinement and exploitation before being rescued.

Today, these African-born survivors are elders, living out their golden years with the dignity, care, and freedom they were once denied.

This Giving Day for Apes, help us reach our goal of $100,000 in honor of our African-born residents—and ensure that all of the nearly 220 chimpanzees in our care can live the peaceful lives they deserve.

Save the Chimps’ 150-acre sanctuary is designed with twelve family groups, each with a 3–5 acre island attached to a building. Here, our residents choose where to spend their days—lounging in the sun, grooming with friends, or exploring the grass and trees of their island homes.

Meet Some of Our African-Born Elders

	Yvette (56) A well-respected matriarch, Yvette was born in Africa in the estimated year of 1965. She was captured and sent to a laboratory in Texas, where she gave birth to several children before being transferred to the Coulston Foundation in New Mexico. Rescued by Save the Chimps, she is now the oldest chimpanzee at the sanctuary. Yvette loves building fluffy nests and basking peacefully in the sun, surrounded by her chimpanzee family.
	Boy (56) Captured from Africa and sent to the Coulston Foundation, Boy is a survivor who has found peace in sanctuary. He enjoys lying in the sunshine, the companionship of his family group, and the freedom to choose how to spend his days—a stark contrast to his years of confinement.
	Rebecca (54) & Debbie (55)  These two remarkable females began their lives in Africa before being captured as infants and brought to the U.S. for research. Both were rescued from the Coulston Foundation. Today, they share a beautiful bond and can often be seen resting side by side or grooming on their island home.
	Yolanda (56) Known for her distinctive appearance and gentle presence, Yolanda was also born in Africa and later confined at Coulston. She is now enjoying her well-earned retirement with her chimpanzee companions at Save the Chimps.

Caring for Our African-Born Residents

Caring for elderly chimpanzees requires special attention. Chimpanzees are considered elderly when they surpass the age of 35 and our African-born residents are now in their 50s. Our teams focus on:

• Expert veterinary care to treat both chronic and acute conditions, ensuring comfort and health.
• Behavioral enrichment that encourages movement, exploration, and engagement to keep their minds and bodies active.
• Social companionship, which is essential to chimpanzee well-being. Our African-born elders live in multi-generational families with opportunities to groom, play, and rest alongside friends.
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💚 Your support this Giving Day for Apes makes their care possible.