The closing of two of the largest U.S. chimpanzee laboratories were major victories. Chimpanzees rescued from those closures can now, through the voices of those who care for them, tell their stories – stories that will turn attention on the remaining some 1,200 others whose labs have not yet closed.

The efforts of Dr. Jim Mahoney, former director of LEMSIP, led to some 109 chimpanzees under his care being sent into sanctuary (including to the Fauna Foundation which welcomed the first HIV-infected chimpanzees to be rescued.) Other chimpanzees from LEMSIP were sent to the Coulston Foundation – despite its history of AWA violations – and were part of the 266 chimpanzees who were also finally brought to sanctuary thanks to Dr. Carole Noon, founder of Save the Chimps, the Arcus Foundation, and animal protection organizations including NEAVS.

Dismantling an industry with roots deeply imbedded in profit and power is never easy. The closure of two major laboratories that housed hundreds of chimpanzees was a major milestone – giving hope to those remaining chimpanzees in U.S. labs.

* NOTE:  In February 2006, Ohio State University announced the closure of its chimpanzee research program involving cognitive studies due to lack of funding. The program involved nine chimpanzees.  Read more in News.

^ back to top