Rescuing Stranded Chimpanzees at the California Wildlife Waystation
In 1996, a biomedical research laboratory in New York, LEMSIP, closed and outplaced their research chimpanzees at various sanctuaries and facilities around the country. The Wildlife Waystation in Los Angeles accepted the largest group of these lab chimpanzees (nearly 50) and gave them a home until the Wildlife Waystation closed its doors in 2019 leaving hundreds of animals needing placement. All the big cats, bears, wolves, reptiles, monkeys, and birds were placed in various sanctuaries, zoos, and other facilities around the country, but 32 chimpanzees still remain stranded in Los Angeles, a year and a half after the closing, while they wait for rescue and a permanent new home.
The oldest of these chimpanzees are Sabina, Ewok, and Josh who will all be 34 years old when they arrive in Wauchula later this year. Maude, Mystery, and Billy are in their mid-20s. The youngest of the group is ShaSha who is 21.
Jeeter is a former pet who was raised in a human home in Palm Springs, CA until his owner dropped him off at the Wildlife Waystation in 2018. Jeeter is 32 years old and a sweet chimpanzee who craves human attention. The Center has welcomed many former exotic pet apes with similar backgrounds. We're happy to announce that we will also welcome Jeeter to the sanctuary where he can meet and eventually learn to live with companion chimpanzees at his own pace.
For the past two years, we’ve been raising the funds to build another indoor/outdoor facility for these chimpanzees, and we are excited to say that they are finally here!
