Jimmy lived alone for more than 10 years in a tiny enclosure at ZooNit, in the city of Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He arrived at the Sanctuary in 2011, after a rescue operation carried out by Ibama (Brazilian Environment Institute) to remove all animals due to the mistreatment conditions they were being subjected to at the zoo.

The facility was unable to care for the animals, and shortly afterwards an investigation was opened against the zoo on suspicion of international trafficking.

Despite all the years he spent isolated from living with other chimpanzees, Jimmy proved to be very sociable and at the Sanctuary he revealed himself to be an extraordinary adoptive father. He lives very well with Samanta’s children – Sofia, Sara, Suzi, and César – having a lot of patience to take care of all of them. He is very affectionate and calm, a bit stubborn and determined, and loves to take a hose bath.