Magnificent 7 continued...

Tue Aug 7, 2007

Keeli, at only 11-years old, is still growing and is a very large, athletic male. Keeli is showing others how tough he is, but is also learning from Darrell, watching him and looking up to him as the elder leader in the group.  If you look closely, though, you can still see Keeli’s gentle, sweet little boy side!  Keeli’s buddy is 7-year old Harper and together they can run, wrestle, tickle and play.  Harper in turn follows Keeli and Darrel, admiring them as a young boy would look up to a teenage boy. Harper also enjoys spending time with Ivy, whether grooming or playing with her.  When Ivy isn't fending off Harper's attentions, she can often be found with her buddy Keeli.  Ivy is mischievous and likes to tease, but also loves to play games of tickle and chase with the carestaff. 
 
Sarah is the oldest of the group at 45-years old and is definitely enjoying her retirement!  Having recovered from losing 40 pounds, Sarah is now a healthy weight, her hair is shiny and her muscles have returned.  Sarah loves to take mounds of hay to the crow’s nest in the top of the playground and nest there while watching her family as they play below.  If the weather is cool, she puts a blanket around her shoulders as a shawl.  Being the matriarch of the family, Sarah is adored by little Emma and keeps her eyes on the rest of her family.
 
Emma and Harper are still the youngsters of the group and are full of energy, playfulness and a zest for  
life.  They both love to climb, swing and jump, making the most use of structures in their large play yard.  Emma greets anyone that approaches and will often show you her pretty teeth, eyes and nose and expect you to do the same.

Chimp Haven stepped forward to help these chimpanzees in their time of greatest need, without asking for support from their previous facilities.  We accepted the responsibility to provide 100% of the funds for their lifetime care – knowing that many caring individuals and organizations shared our concern for their welfare.  Since these seven chimpanzees are not owned by the federal government, they do not fall under the funding mechanism or requirements of the Chimpanzee Health Improvement, Maintenance and Protection Act 2000 (CHIMP Act).  They of course will never be recalled to research.  None of the chimpanzees at Chimp Haven are on exhibit.  Our education program, Chimpanzee Discovery Days, allows the public to visit a small portion of the 200 acre sanctuary seven days each year and learn why chimpanzees are special and need our care. 

The Magnificent 7 have adjusted well to their new home at Chimp Haven.  They have put behind them the stress of being separated and moved from place to place and are learning to be chimpanzees once again.  Luckily, they are oblivious to the human politics surrounding them, and the current effort by Friends of Animals (who merged with Primarily Primates) to force them to return to the very facility where they faced such tragedy and loss.  Surely if the welfare of the chimpanzees is the primary consideration, as it is for us, the Magnificent 7 will be allowed to remain safe and happy at Chimp Haven.

We truly are making a difference one chimpanzee at a time at Chimp Haven. All one has to do is look into the eyes of these seven “Magnificent” animals and see how happy and content they are now that they are home.