Alex is a different chimpanzee. Most of his life he lived in a circus, where he worked on all kinds of things, including the Death Globe, where chimpanzees ride motorcycles inside a mesh sphere, which can be deadly for men and primates. Alex is athletic, had to exercise to stay slim, and has no belly, like many other free-living and captivity chimpanzees. He walks a lot on two feet too. He has phobias, such as scream desperately when he sees a blanket, and no one knows why. Alex also has no teeth, all were surgically ripped so he could be used as an adult in the circus.

Alex travelled all over Brazil, used to stay in hotels, with his controller, and did his needs in the bathroom. Alex traveled frequently to Argentina, where his circus presented, then learned to drink milk. Just say the word “leche” for him, he makes gesture as he was drinking milk and asks for it.

Alex lived in Sorocaba Sanctuary several years with Carolina. Both were in love, but had no sexual intimacy. Carolina had teeth and a strong genius. She disputed with him the food he liked best and bit him several times. Alex defended himself as he could, as he was inferior for not having teeth.

The teeth in chimpanzees are their weapon of defense, the last resource to use when the fight is for real. They threaten to bite to deter enemies. Caesar, the baby chimpanzee who is now already living with his mother Samantha and his sisters, knows how to use his teeth to deter his sisters in more violent games. When he shows his teeth, all of them run away.

I always had a lot of pity on Alex, as well on all those who have no teeth. For that reason alone, the circuses with animals should be banned in all countries of the earth. It is a terrible crime.

Carolina died of a fulminate breast cancer two years ago. Alex was alone and there are a few females in the Sanctuary. His neighbor and teammate of Death Globe, chimpanzee Bob, who also has no teeth, did not get along with him and they sometimes fight through the window.

Three months ago, from Sergipe, arrived a male chimpanzee, Martin, and his companion Maria das Dores, both with teeth, accompanied by Jamaica (absurd name for someone), a young chimpanzee, who also lost her teeth in a circus. In this case, the removal was not surgical, it was improvised and small pieces of bone and teeth still remain in her mouth.

Jamaica was beaten by Martín, as she could not defend herself; she was submitted to him, to avoid his rages. Alex, the neighbor, was furious to see her suffer. Days ago we decided to end the sufferings of Jamaica and Alex’s solitude. Maria das Dores lost a friend, but the benefit to Jamaica and Alex would be much higher.

When they met in the tunnel, where Alex went to pick her up, as she was afraid to meet him in the room, the embrace was immediate as they both realized they were in physical equal to the missing teeth and no one would be higher in relationship.

The scandals of each evening when Jamaica used to be beaten by Martin ceased. Alex and she slept together on the outside home in the early evening and then separated, since Jamaica makes her nest with blankets and Alex have the same childhood trauma – he sleeps in the dorm beds, covering himself with TNT (Nonwoven Fabric).

Bob, the neighbor and former teammate of Death Globe, notes the new couple from the window. When Jamaica goes to the window to greet him, Alex is already jealous and shivers walking on two feet, showing his strength.

Alex used to love Carolina intensely, despite physical differences. The long minutes kisses of both were anthologies in the Sanctuary. We are sure that Jamaica will feel a deep affection for this chimp, who did not deserve what life offered him.

Dr. Pedro A. Ynterian

President, GAP Project International

Pictures of Alex and Jamaica at Great Primates Sanctuary of Sorocaba – SP (BRAZIL)