Chimp Haven
USA (Shreveport, Louisiana) · 32.36°N · 93.86°W
The world's largest chimpanzee sanctuary, giving research retirees a natural, social life in the forest.
About Chimp Haven
Chimp Haven is the world's largest chimpanzee sanctuary, providing lifelong, naturalistic retirement to hundreds of chimpanzees once used in research.
For decades chimpanzees were used in biomedical research, and many others have been kept as pets or in entertainment, leaving them with nowhere suitable to live once that use ends. These are animals with rich emotional lives, strong personalities and complex social bonds, and a small cage cannot meet those needs. Chimp Haven exists to give them something far closer to the lives they were meant to lead.
Set across 200 forested acres in Louisiana, the sanctuary now cares for close to 300 chimpanzees. Its approach centres on choice and autonomy: residents live in large social groups, roam wooded habitats, receive fresh food and expert veterinary care, and largely decide for themselves how to spend their days.
Daily enrichment, positive-reinforcement training and close attention to each group's social dynamics underpin the care. Beyond its residents, the sanctuary works to inform the public through tours, documentaries and online events, and speaks out against private ownership and the loss of wild chimpanzee habitat.
This is, in effect, a dignified retirement for animals that gave a great deal and asked for nothing. Support helps provide the food, medical care, habitat and lifelong commitment each chimpanzee depends on, and helps demonstrate that sanctuary is a humane alternative to captivity.
Sanctuary care
Daily care, healthy food and expert veterinary support for hundreds of chimps across forested habitat.
Education
Blogs, webinars and lesson resources that teach people about chimpanzees and their conservation.
Visitor experiences
In-person and virtual tours and events that let supporters glimpse life at the sanctuary.
Ending private chimp ownership
Advocacy work pushing to stop chimpanzees being kept as private pets or attractions.
Be part of the movement
Donating is the last step, not the first. Pick one and start today.
- 1WatchStream the films and stories behind their work, then tell someone what moved you.Watch →
- 2FollowFollow Chimp Haven on Instagram and keep their work in your feed.Follow ↗
- 3ShareShare this page so more people meet Chimp Haven. Reach is its own kind of donation.
- 4Donate100% of your gift routes to Chimp Haven's conservation work. Ecoflix takes nothing.Donate →