URGENT: Help Rescue Wenka
Wenka is a frail 53-year-old chimpanzee, held at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center in Atlanta, who deserves the comfort of sanctuary before she dies. In captivity, chimpanzees can live up to 50-60 years. Her time is running out.
Help rescue Wenka and 17 other Elder chimpanzees before time runs out. Ask for their release from research labs and placement into permanent sanctuary.
WHO’S THERE? is Project R&R’s campaign that will identify other chimpanzees just like Wenka who need our immediate assistance. Help us learn the names, ages, and other important information about every single chimpanzee held in every U.S. lab. Learn more about this crucial effort and how you can help.
The chimpanzees currently warehoused in U.S. facilities or being used in active research protocols cannot remain anonymous so-called “resources.” Each one is a unique individual with a name, distinct personality, different face and specific needs. Project R&R is committed to knowing and helping each and every one of them with your help.
There are some chimpanzees in laboratories today whose physical and/or emotional condition is so grave that they cannot wait for attitudes or laws to change before being released to sanctuary. Their need to be rescued is urgent and could be literally a matter of life and death.
Currently, many chimpanzees are being used repeatedly for different research or are suffering from illnesses and the consequences of years of laboratory captivity living in concrete and steel cages.
Project R&R’s advisory board, network of concerned primate caregivers, and others help identify chimpanzees whose emotional and/or physical needs are such that they must be released now. These cases will be handled on a triaged basis, focusing on the chimpanzees in most dire need first.
We ask for your help in exerting public pressure to get these individuals out of laboratories and into sanctuaries.
Our efforts are bolstered through on-going investigations into all laboratories housing chimpanzees.
Special note: If you currently work (or formerly worked) in a lab with chimpanzees and have animal welfare or enforcement concerns, call or email Nancy Megna, Project Specialist - Project R&R’s 10-year veteran of laboratory work at two primate research centers. For more information on Nancy and the experience of other former primate lab caregivers, see Lab Eyewitnesses. It is up to other people like Nancy to come forward and speak on behalf of the many who cannot speak for themselves. Your experience and caring can make all the difference in the world to someone whose suffering and needs would otherwise remain unheard to the world. Please help us help them, now.
Garfield was part of a group of former “Air Force” chimpanzees who were rescued by Save the Chimps in 2001. He is a young and handsome guy.
Garfield Chimpanzee upon arrival.
The toll of years of laboratory
confinement was apparent.
Photo: © Save the Chimps
Garfield Chimpanzee’s new found (relative) freedom
Photo: © Save the Chimps
Securing his position within the group of adult males is a challenge for him as it often is for young male chimpanzees. Garfield shows great skill with the youngsters. He has been known to generously allow young chimpanzees to take food from his open-palmed hand. He has even invented a game for the younger members of the group – pulling them about the island on a big, soft blanket. (Read more about Save the Chimps).