The Keithville Krewe
Nine chimpanzees (Sarah, Sheba, Darrell, Kermit, Bobby, Keeli, Ivy, Harper and Emma) were participating in cognition research at the Ohio State University (OSU) Chimpanzee Cognition Center under the direction of Dr. Sarah (Sally) Boysen. Neither the chimpanzees nor the people who cared for them had any idea that they were soon to endure the most difficult times of their lives.
Giving the reason of inadequate funding, on February 21, 2006, OSU announced its decision to close its Chimpanzee Center and retire the primates to a facility in Texas called Primarily Primates. It is unclear why OSU chose this facility among many others, including Chimp Haven who had engaged in a memorandum of understanding in 2004 to accept the chimpanzees should they wish to retire them one day.
With few caregivers and no veterinary staff, Bobby and Kermit soon died at Primarily Primates, and one of the capuchin monkeys escaped and was never found. The plight of the OSU animals drew attention to the conditions at the facility, and it was seized by the Texas State Attorney’s office on October13, 2006 on allegations of mismanagement of charitable funds and animals living in substandard conditions. Chimp Haven was asked to accept the chimpanzees by the state appointed receiver since they were in need of medical attention, had inadequate housing and immediate intervention was required. Darrell had been considered too “aggressive” and was housed in total isolation in a small indoor cage. Without any personal attention or favorite foods, Sarah and Sheba lost an enormous amount of weight. The youngsters Harper and Emma were taken from their family group to live in a garage near the director’s house. Chimp Haven’s Board of Directors agreed to rescue the chimpanzees from this dire situation and provide them with lifetime care, including covering the costs of transportation and care. By reducing the overpopulation at the facility, space was also freed up so that repairs could begin on the dilapidated chimpanzee buildings.
The chimpanzees became the Keithville Krewe and soon regained their health and spirit. They were reunited immediately and enjoy large outdoor enclosures, where they can run and lounge in the sunshine. Chimp Haven staff and the many former OSU caregivers who visit have given them the care and attention they were missing. We were all saddened when the only adult male left in the group, Darrell, passed away suddenly in January, 2008. It is hard to say what his ordeal did to him physically and emotionally, but he was an incredibly sweet chimpanzee who was loved by all he met. Luckily for the rest of the Keithville Krewe, they had already made friends with a number of other chimpanzees, and are now living in a large, socially functional group.
In April, 2007 the Texas Attorney General settled the case against Primarily Primates. Primarily Primates was joined by Friends of Animals, who funded their legal battles and whose President became Chair of their Board of Directors. They subsequently sued Chimp Haven for return of their “property”, alleging that the transfer was temporary. Chimp Haven endured numerous assaults by Friends of Animals, who attempted to discredit the organization’s excellent reputation and program. In February 2008, a Bexar county, TX judge granted a motion for summary judgment filed by Primarily Primates Inc. to send the Keithville Krewe back to the San Antonio facility.
Chimp Haven has chosen to appeal this decision and
fight for the welfare of the chimpanzees!
For almost 1 ½ years, the Keithville Krewe has been enjoying living together as one big family enjoying expansive enclosures, great care and well-balanced diets. Help Keep the Keithville Krewe Home at Chimp Haven.
Leave Them Alone!
Chimp Haven Is Home! Click Here to see the Good Morning America story on The Keithville Krewe
Meet The Keithville Krewe  Until two years ago, nine chimpanzees were cognitive behavior research subjects at the Ohio State University Chimpanzee Cognition Center, under the direction of Dr. Sarah (Sally) Boysen. The chimpanzees were raised together by Dr. Boysen and her staff in an enriched human-oriented environment. They participated in studies exploring intelligence, problem solving, communication and numerical competence of chimpanzees. Members of the group appeared in numerous documentaries that featured their remarkable cognitive abilities. Who could have guessed that they would one day be at the center of a complicated court battle involving the university, sanctuaries and an animal rights group over where they would get to spend their retirement.
So, take a minute to meet the Keithville Krewe by watching the video
 | Sarah
Sarah was born in approximately 1962 (47 yrs old) in the wild of Africa. Sarah has spent most of her life in cognitive research and is well-known to students of primatology for her work in Dr. David Premack’s lab at the University of Pennsylvania, with work documented in The Mind of an Ape (1983). Sarah was first exposed to language token training in 1967, and even used a special keyboard with symbols to communicate. In 1987, Sarah was sent to Dr. Boysen’s Chimpanzee Center. Sarah even has her own listing in Wikipedia! Sarah is a very matronly female who is extremely intelligent and knows exactly what she wants. Sarah especially likes the attention of the older males in her group (Bo, Steve, Harry and Billy Ray), who dote on her.
Sarah is the “queen”, famous, serious, quiet, determined, stubborn, and resilient.
|  | Sheba
Sheba was born on September 4, 1981 (26 yrs old) at the Columbus Zoo. She has spent the majority of her life at the OSU Chimpanzee Center. Sheba is incredibly intelligent and even knows how to count. Sheba will point to doors, food and locks when she wants you to do something for her. Sheba is very protective of the younger chimpanzees. She has a wonderful smile!
Sheba is the “diva”, beautiful, deserving, demanding, protective, and brilliant. |  | Keeli
Keeli was born on June 8, 1997 (10 yrs old) at Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research and transferred to the OSU Chimpanzee Center as an infant with Ivy. Keeli is an extremely handsome robust male who loves attention. Keeli is a typical young male chimpanzee that likes to display and show off on a regular basis. He is a great buddy to Cody, another young male in the group.
Keeli is the “show off”, handsome, strong, tender and sociable. |  | Ivy
Ivy was born on October 9, 1996 (11 yrs old) at Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research and was transferred to the OSU Chimpanzee Center as an infant with Keeli. Ivy is sometimes a bratty adolescent who enjoys stirring up a little trouble now and then, but is always sure to make up with anyone she might have annoyed. Ivy also loves to groom. She is bold and sometimes even taunts the adult males.
Ivy is the “brat”, spoiled, mischievous, playful, powerful, brave and wily.
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| Harper
Harper was born on February 12, 2000 (8 yrs old) at UTMD Anderson Cancer Center and transferred to the OSU Chimpanzee Center as an infant with Emma. Harper is a very sweet boy just trying to learn how to be a big male chimpanzee. Harper is very attached to older males in the group and follows them around. Harper can also be spotted engaging the older males and others in play that always ends in laughter from all involved.
Harper is “endearing”, cute, happy, a joker, and good-natured. |  | Emma
Emma was born on June 9, 2000 (7 yrs old) at UTMD Anderson Cancer center and transferred to OSU Chimp Center as an infant with Harper. Emma is a small, young female who absolutely loves attention from people but is a bit shy around the other chimpanzees. Emma does enjoy being with the other females in her group and is becoming more socially sophisticated within the group with every passing day. Emma is a ham for attention; showing off her teeth, nose and other body parts.
Emma is “adorable”, persistent, thoughtful, pretty and agile. |
The Keithville Krewe: The Real Story Click Here to see the Good Morning America story on The Keithville Krewe
The Closure of the OSU Chimpanzee Cognition Center
With funding for animal cognition studies waning, Ohio State University officials sought to relocate the chimpanzees and the research program. Despite having a memorandum of understanding to transfer them to Chimp Haven, a state-of-the-art sanctuary in Northwest Louisiana, Ohio State transferred the chimpanzees to Primarily Primates (PPI) near San Antonio, TX. Concern for the chimpanzees’ safety and welfare at PPI prompted many individuals and organizations to protest the move, resulting in law suits. Ultimately the Texas State Attorney General’s office put the facility into receivership. The State receiver asked Chimp Haven (CH) to rescue the former-OSU chimpanzees. They arrived at Chimp Haven in November, 2006. Later, when the Texas facility was returned to Primarily Primates under the leadership of animal rights organization Friends of Animals (FOA), they sued Chimp Haven for return of the chimpanzees.
Click Here For More Information About The Keithville Krewe
January, 2004
Memorandum of Understanding between OSU and Chimp Haven outlining transfer of the chimpanzees to the sanctuary should they no longer be needed for research.
July 15, 2005
Conference call between CH and OSU representatives regarding enacting Memorandum. OSU informed CH that they were seeking a facility where Dr. Boysen could continue research. As CH is not a research facility, Dr. Brent asked that they send CH a formal letter if they wanted to move forward with retirement.
- no further communication from OSU to CH-
Feb. 22, 2006
OSU press release that chimpanzees were going to be transferred to Primarily Primates
Feb. 22-28, 2006
Dr. Sally Boysen, who was founder of the OSU chimpanzee cognition project and cared for the chimpanzees, tried but failed to get a restraining order, based on ownership questions of chimpanzees. She had not been previously informed of any decision to move the chimps. CH sent affidavits regarding not being notified by OSU about the move and breaking the MOU. OSU officials wrote affidavits that CH refused to accept the chimpanzees. These assertions are denied by CH.
Feb. 25, 2006
CH sent letter to OSU President asking for an explanation of why the MOU was not followed, and for them to reconsider the decision to move the chimps to Primarily Primates. There was no response.
Feb. 27, 2006
OSU chimpanzees transported to PPI. No care staff at facility knew the chimpanzees were arriving, and no vet staff was available to unload them.
Mar. 2, 2006
Chimpanzees unloaded from transport. Kermit died in the transport box during sedation, under the direction of a local exotic animal veterinarian. Staff from Southwest Foundation called out to finish sedations. PPI later said the death was heart related, although witnesses dispute this. Jane, a capuchin monkey, escaped from her enclosure and was never found.
Apr. 17, 2006
Lawsuit by former OSU caregivers filed against PPI, including chimpanzees as plaintiffs.
Apr. 20, 2006
Bobby died. PPI attributed his death to heart problems.
Aug. 1 – 30, 2006
Chimp Haven’s veterinarian, Dr. Orchard, and President, Dr. Brent, were contacted by Charles Jackson, court appointed Master in Chancery, to discuss condition of chimpanzees and to ask for assistance with their care. On Aug. 2, 2006, Dr. Orchard and Dr. Brent visited Primarily Primates at the request of Charles Jackson to work with Dr. Kirk (PPI’s new vet) and meet with him. CH provided comments on site visit, and copious educational material to Dr. Kirk. By this time, Sarah and Sheba had lost a tremendous amount of weight.
August 14, 2006
Charles Jackson made recommendation to the court that OSU chimpanzees should be sent to CH. The health of chimpanzees required immediate attention.
Sept. 8, 2006
Law suit by former OSU caregivers (and chimps) against Primarily Primates dismissed for lack of standing.
Oct. 13, 2006
Texas Attorney General seized PPI and released it to a receiver (Lee Theissen Watt) to operate due to mismanagement of donations and poor treatment of animals.
Oct. 19, 2006
PPI Receiver given authority to transfer animals to more suitable facilities.
Oct. 16, 2006
Receiver requested that CH take some of the PPI chimpanzees to reduce overcrowding and address health concerns.
Nov. 2-3, 2006
Dr. Brent visited PPI to assist with organization and records evaluation. She witnessed extremely poor conditions for animals, and dire medical condition of former OSU chimps.
Nov. 16, 2006
CH staff loaded former OSU chimpanzees for transfer to CH. Chimpanzees reunited upon release at CH.
April 27, 2007
Texas attorney general dissolved receivership and transferred facility back to PPI. President of FOA took over as chair of the PPI board of directors.
May 16, 2007
PPI attorney sent letter to Chimp Haven requesting that chimpanzees be returned within 10 days, despite the fact that they had no housing for them. Considering their welfare, CH did not return the chimpanzees.
Aug. 7, 2007
CH sued by PPI for return of their “property”- 7 OSU chimpanzees.
Feb. 15, 2008
A Bexar county, Texas judge handed down his decision to grant a motion for summary judgment filed by PPI to send The Brilliant Bunch back to the San Antonio facility
March 17, 2008
Chimp Haven announces it will fight for the welfare of The Keithville Krewe by appealing the judge’s decision to send the chimpanzees back to PPI.
“Chimp Haven stepped forward to help these chimpanzees in need, and we will not turn our back on them now. Our only goal has been to ensure the best future for the chimpanzees. They are doing so well here physically and socially, and are in a group where the youngsters have adult role models and the older females have companions. It would surely be detrimental to them to be moved again after all they have endured.”
-Dr. Linda Brent
President and Director of Chimp Haven
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Click Here to see the Good Morning America story on The Keithville Krewe
Photographs of The Keithville Krewe at Primarily Primates, Inc.
Photos of The Keithville Krewe at Chimp Haven
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Click Here to see the Good Morning America story on The Keithville Krewe
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Here are a few ways you can help Chimp Haven fight to keep the Keithville Krewe home at Chimp Haven.
• Tell others about the Keithville Krewe and their plight
• Click Here to support the chimpanzees through a donation to the Rescue Chimps Fund
• Advertise your support through special edition Keithville Krewe t-shirt or Awareness Bracelets (link to merchandise by Clicking Here
• Write an editorial for your local newspaper Click Here
• Send blankets or goodies to the chimps (trail mix, low sugar cereal, nuts, dry fruits) Click Here to find out more
• Write to Primarily Primates and Friends of Animals and let them know that the Keithville Krewe should stay home at Chimp Haven, See contact list below
Click Here For More Information About The Keithville Krewe . Leave Them Alone!
Chimp Haven Is Home!
Write To The Board of Primarily Primates and Friends of Animals Sally Malanga, Secretary/Treasurer
Carol Fleischmann, Chairperson
Dianne Forthman, Vice President
777 Post Road
Suite 205
Darien, CT 06820
Primarily Primates address
26099 Dull Knife Trail
San Antonio, Texas 78255
Tel:(830)-755-4616
Fax:(830)-981-4611
Email: primarilyprimates@friendsofanimals.org
Friends of Animals addresses
National Headquarters:
777 Post Road
Suite 205
Darien, CT 06820
Phone: 203-656-1522
Fax: 203-656-0267
email: info@friendsofanimals.org
New York Office:
1841 Broadway
Suite 812
New York, NY 10023
Phone: 212-247-8120
Washington, DC Office:
1010 Vermont Ave. NW
Suite 509
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: 202-393-8450
Canadian Office:
Box 50024 - #15-1594 Fairfield Rd
Victoria, BC V8S 5L8
Phone: 250-588-0482
www.TheVictoriaVegan.com
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