1. What is Chimp Haven?
2. How long has Chimp Haven been in existence?
3. Why is there a need for Chimp Haven?
4. Who supports Chimp Haven?
5. What makes Chimp Haven's working philosophy unique?
6. Are there other facilities like Chimp Haven in the United States?
7. Will there be more than one sanctuary?
8. Where is the sanctuary located?
9. What makes the Northwest Louisiana location special?
10. What will the chimpanzee facilities look like?
11. Will the public have access to the sanctuary?
12. How many chimpanzees will go to the Chimp Haven Sanctuary facility?
13. Will research be conducted on the chimpanzees?
14. Where will the chimpanzees be coming from?
15. How did the National Institutes of Health funding come about?
16. Why was Chimp Haven awarded a contract by the government to build a sanctuary for its retired chimpanzees?
17. Does the government funding provide all the money required to complete Chimp Haven's facilities?
18. How did the National Institutes of Health funding come about?

What is Chimp Haven?
Chimp Haven is an independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide a permanent retirement sanctuary for chimpanzees no longer used for medical research, entertainment, or as pets.

How long has Chimp Haven been in existence?
Chimp Haven was incorporated in the state of Texas in 1995. The sanctuary opened its doors to the first chimpanzees in April 2005.

Why is there a need for Chimp Haven?
Changing research protocols, alternative models and technological advances have resulted in a decrease in the use of chimpanzees in biomedical research. This has created a growing population of surplus chimpanzees no longer wanted in research, and who are now waiting for a home in which to live out their lives. Also, there are many privately owned chimpanzees who have become unmanageable to keep as pets or as performers in the entertainment industry. Chimp Haven fills the need for a sanctuary system by providing an exceptional environment and program of care, including the specialized housing and care for chimpanzees who have been exposed to infectious diseases. Chimp Haven's Board of Directors and staff have all of the expertise needed to build and operate this unique and much needed sanctuary system.

Who supports Chimp Haven?
Chimp Haven has both a private and public funding base. The Federal government chose Chimp Haven to construct and operate the National Chimpanzee Sanctuary System, and provides partial monetary support for government owned chimpanzees, provided that Chimp Haven meets the government's matching requirements via private sources. Chimp Haven's private funding has come from people just like you - generous individuals, foundations, and corporations from around the world as well as animal welfare organizations. In addition to financial support, the Caddo Parish Commission in Northwest Louisiana donated the 200 acres of forested land for the first sanctuary.

What makes Chimp Haven's working philosophy unique?
One of Chimp Haven's hallmarks is its diversity in leadership and support. Since its inception, Chimp Haven has been dedicated to encouraging a variety of viewpoints. The philosophy of the Board is that cooperation among a diverse group of individuals will only strengthen their resolve to provide permanent homes for retired chimpanzees. Clearly, this approach has worked. Major animal welfare organizations, the zoo community, pharmaceutical companies, thousands of people in Caddo Parish, Louisiana, and, now, the federal government are working together for one goal-to provide an exceptional home for retired chimpanzees.

Are there other facilities like Chimp Haven in the United States?
There are a few other facilities in the United States that care for retired chimpanzees. Chimp Haven is the only chimpanzee sanctuary in the United States that is also working in partnership with the United States government to care for its chimpanzees retired from medical research.

Will there be more than one sanctuary?
Chimp Haven's intention, over time, is to build a system of sanctuaries. The first sanctuary opened in Keithville, Louisiana in early April 2005.

Where is the sanctuary located?
The facility is located on 200 acres of lush, forested land in the Eddie D. Jones Nature Park, 22 miles southwest of Shreveport, Louisiana. The ecology there is perfectly suited to chimpanzees.

What makes the Northwest Louisiana location special?
The climate and ecology in this area are optimal for the chimpanzees. The spacious, wooded area provides opportunities for the chimpanzee residents to express species-typical behaviors, such as nest building, tool use, extensive day ranges, variable and naturalistic diets, and choices concerning social interaction.

What will the chimpanzee facilities look like?
In addition to large indoor bedrooms, the chimpanzees all have access to large outdoor areas, from 5 acre forested habitats to cozy courtyards. Included in the facility are administrative and support space; facilities for chimpanzee quarantine, treatment and observation; enrichment kitchen and food preparation, maintenance and an education area.

Will the public have access to the sanctuary?
Chimp Haven will be an extraordinary place for chimpanzees, but it will not be a public attraction like a zoo. The sanctuary is open for limited pre-arranged educational programs, like Chimpanzee Discovery Days held seven days per year, with exciting educational booths and areas for viewing the chimpanzees if they are in sight in the large forested habitats. Please check the website for times and dates before visiting. Other educational programs and lectures are held at schools and for civic groups (please contact education@chimphaven.org for more information).

How many chimpanzees will go to the Chimp Haven sanctuary facility?
Chimp Haven is home to over 100 chimpanzees and will ultimately provide housing for 200 chimpanzees. Over the next year, more chimpanzees will arrive at the sanctuary. With future expansion, the site will be able to accommodate 300 chimpanzees. We are evaluating plans for additional sanctuaries to responsibly accommodate the additional retiring chimpanzees as need and funding develops.

Will research be conducted on the chimpanzees?
No, Chimp Haven is a sanctuary and not a research facility. Invasive medical research is prohibited. The chimpanzees will receive exceptional health care, including regular physical exams to monitor their health. Students and behavioral scientists, however, will be allowed to observe the chimpanzees in order to learn more about their needs, their behavior and how to better enhance their lives within sanctuary settings. We hope that what we learn about the chimpanzees at Chimp Haven will encourage better care and housing for chimpanzees in all captive settings.

Where will the chimpanzees be coming from?
They come from a variety of places, but the first sanctuary residents have come from research facilities. Chimp Haven provides a home mainly for federally-retired chimpanzees, but also cares for others retired by private individuals and organizations. Eventually Chimp Haven will also provide homes for retired entertainment and pet chimpanzees.

How did the National Institutes of Health funding come about?
The funding became available through the CHIMP (Chimpanzee Health Improvement, Maintenance and Protection) Act, a law passed by the US Congress on December 22, 2000. The Act provides funding for chimpanzees no longer used in biomedical research. The law was the outcome of years of lobbying by many diverse groups who support the concept of retirement for research chimpanzees.

Why was Chimp Haven awarded a contract by the government to build a sanctuary for its retired chimpanzees?
Chimp Haven participated in a highly competitive, rigorous application process that included review of both operations and construction plans by qualified chimpanzee and animal care experts. The government selected Chimp Haven as the organization best able to fulfill the standards of the CHIMP Act, including providing the highest quality of care for the chimpanzee residents.

Does the government funding provide all the money required to complete Chimp Haven's facilities?
No, the federal funding requires matching private funding. Chimp Haven must match at least 10% construction costs and 25 % of the operating costs. In addition, federal funding does not cover the cost for the privately-owned chimpanzees living at the sanctuary, the education program, or additional staff, equipment or supplies.

Has Chimp Haven raised all the funding necessary to complete construction?
Despite significant cost overages (partially due to the increased costs after hurricanes hit the region), Chimp Haven has completed most of the construction and chimpanzees are living in all the buildings. We still have several outside enclosures to complete, but we need to raise more funds! With completion of all chimpanzee housing areas, we can provide a home to as many as 50 more chimpanzees currently living in research facilities.