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Chimpanzee
Our closest relative
Scientific name: Pan troglodytes
Diet: Omnivore, with a preference for fruits (frugivore). They also eat leaves, seeds, buds, bark, honey, insects, birds and their eggs, and small to medium-sized mammals, including primates (monkeys).
Habitat: Equatorial primary forests and savannas in central and western Africa
Along with bonobos, they are the great apes that most resemble humans: we share about 99% of the genetic load. In other words, chimpanzees are closer to men than to gorillas, for example.
For this and several other reasons, chimpanzees are very special animals, and they have always aroused our curiosity for their sensitivity and intelligence. They have also always been widely used in research and experimentation, most of the time, unfortunately, in an unethical way.
In the 1960s, British primatologist Jane Goodall was the first person to observe, in her field research in Tanzanian forests, chimpanzees creating and using tools. It was a major watershed in the way humanity came to see chimpanzees and non-human animals in general.
In nature, chimpanzees live in communities that can range from 20 to 150 members, led by a male. But most of the time subgroups are formed that travel over a wider area with different goals.
This type of society is known as “fission-fusion”, because the groups have different formation and size profiles and complement each other. For example, an all-male group might aim to hunt. One of females that have just had children can function as a kind of nursery for the young.
RED ALERT
According to the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List, chimpanzees are classified as “Endangered” (Endangered). The population in the wild is in decline, with the main threats being the destruction of its habitat (urban and industrial development and global warming) and poaching for illegal activities.
DID YOU KNOW?
Due to all the similarities with humans and the numerous evidence collected over the years, there is a proposal to change the scientific classification of chimpanzees and bonobos. A group of scientists proposes changing the genus Pan to the genus Homo, like us Homo sapiens. In addition to further highlighting our proximity, it is believed that this adaptation may be important to increase investments in species conservation efforts.
Gallery of Images and Videos
Species Residents
Raised by a human family in a circus, arrived at the sanctuary when she was eight years old.
Date of birth: 07/09/1996Origin: Circo Garcia
Sanctuary: Vargem Grande Paulista, São Paulo/Brazil
André arrived at the Anami Institute in 2007 and was integrated into a group with 5 other chimpanzees. He is a cheerful chimpanzee but a little fearful, and to solve his problems within the group he made an alliance with the alpha male (Biito), taking advantage of security and every moment of interaction between him and Biito. It is very common to see André calling others to play. In addition to staying in his tower with his legs crossed, resting and observing everything that happens around him. He is very affectionate and has the personality of a quiet chimpanzee who loves to interact.
Date of birth: 06/06/1996Origin: Circo
Sanctuary: São José dos Pinhais, Paraná/Brazil
Male, born in the forests of Africa. Captured as a puppy, he was sold to a shopkeeper in Lebanon where he lived until he was four years old inside a pet shop, being subjected to taking pictures with the store's customers. After completing four years, the owners of this establishment were no longer able to maintain it, as it was already very strong and had its own will. He was transferred to a precarious zoo located in Beirut and spent six more years without the company of another chimpanzee, being tortured and mistreated.
Date of birth: 11/2000Origin: Líbano
Sanctuary: São José dos Pinhais, Paraná/Brazil
Today, he is the alpha male of a group of six chimpanzees. His ally is André, who is always interacting with him.
Date of birth: 09/30/1991Origin: Circo
Sanctuary: São José dos Pinhais, Paraná/Brazil
Despite his temper, Billy is affectionate and very playful. He is very intelligent and extremely humanized.
Date of birth: 07/10/1994Origin: Kroner Circus
Sanctuary: Sorocaba, São Paulo/Brazil
Billy Jr is known for his exceptional vocalizations, in which he sounds like a person shouting or a gorilla.
Date of birth: 02/22/2003Origin: Brasília Zoo
Sanctuary: Sorocaba, São Paulo/Brazil
She lived at Garcia Circus for 15 years confined to a small cage, which had to be cut open on her rescue.
Date of birth: 09/05/1988Origin: Garcia Circus
Sanctuary: Sorocaba, São Paulo/Brazil
During his life the zoo, he had serious psychiatric disorders and would severely self-mutilate.
Date of birth: 1986Origin: Sorocaba zoo
Sanctuary: Sorocaba, São Paulo/Brazil
He lived confined in a trailer without any care for well-being or hygiene. During this period, several complaints were made to IBAMA (Brazilian Institute for the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources), for abandonment and mistreatment, through an NGO. When he wasn't performing at the circus, he was often forced to take pictures with tourists in Paranaguá, on the coast of Paraná.
Date of birth: 10/16/1993Origin: Circo Portugal
Sanctuary: São José dos Pinhais, Paraná/Brazil
She arrived at the sanctuary when she was six years old, after living in a circus.
Date of birth: 04/06/1998Origin: Circo Garcia
Sanctuary: Vargem Grande Paulista, São Paulo/Brazil
Male, son of Iara and Johny, Capitão was born in Circo Romano. He worked for many years at Circo Garcia and in 2007 he was received at Anami. He lived in the ''Paulista'' group with six other chimpanzees. Alpha male, he was the one who dominated the space. A strong, imposing chimpanzee and a protector of his entire group.
Date of birth: 1976Origin: Circo Romano
Sanctuary: São José dos Pinhais, Paraná/Brazil
Due to the suffering endured while working in the circus, he does not like to stay indoors.
Date of birth: 04/24/1995Origin: Garcia Circus
Sanctuary: Sorocaba, São Paulo/Brazil
He was one of the chimpanzees rescued as a baby from an old commercial chimpanzee breeding center in southern Brazil.
Date of birth: 02/02/2000Origin: Marco Schwartz Commercial Chimpanzee Breeding Center (south of Brazil)
Sanctuary: Sorocaba, São Paulo/Brazil
At bedtime, Carol chooses Caíque to share the room. During all these years she has shown a strong personality and plenty of intelligence. She climbs the palm trees and picks jerivá coconuts, then shares them with her friends. When she doesn't like some fruit she gets on a tray, she doesn't think twice about giving it to Tota.
Date of birth: 09/23/1999Origin:
Sanctuary: São José dos Pinhais, Paraná/Brazil
in memoriam
She was rejected by her mother, who attacked her when she was born and needed veterinary care to recover.
Date of birth: 04/04/2002Origin: Brasilia Zoo
Sanctuary: Sorocaba, São Paulo/Brazil
in memoriam
She was one of the last chimpanzees to work in circuses in Brazil.
Date of birth: 1971Origin: Circo Koslov
Sanctuary: Sorocaba, São Paulo/Brazil
She is very smart and active and lives with chimpanzee Rakker.
Date of birth: 06/23/2012Origin: Santuário de Grandes Primatas de Sorocaba
Sanctuary: Sorocaba, São Paulo/Brazil
Her story became a milestone in the history of animal rights, as she was the first chimpanzee in the world to be released from a zoo and transferred to the Sanctuary through a Habeas Corpus.
Date of birth: 1997Origin: Mendoza Zoo, Argentina.
Sanctuary: Sorocaba, São Paulo/Brazil
He is very active, dominant and enjoys being the center of family attention.
Date of birth: 12/10/2013Origin: Santuário de Grandes Primatas de Sorocaba
Sanctuary: Sorocaba, São Paulo/Brazil
Male. DOB: 2005, approximately, Africa. He was captured in the forest at a very young age. It is believed that he was taken from his mother by traffickers, being pulled by his legs, as he has a physical condition called bilateral coxofemoral dislocation. This chronic condition evolved into a significant atrophy of both pelvic limbs and difficulty walking. Because of this, he walked using only his arms. Charlie spent his entire childhood in a precarious zoo in Lebanon in a very small enclosure, being forced to take pictures with visitors. After reports of mistreatment, he was rescued by an NGO that sent him to Anami. On July 11, 2014, after a long trip of three days, he arrived in Brazil very thin and malnourished. During the period
Date of birth: 2005Origin: África
Sanctuary: São José dos Pinhais, Paraná/Brazil
Claudio was one of the chimpanzees born in an old commercial breeding facility that operated in the southern of Brazil.
Date of birth: 2000Origin: Marco Schwartz Commercial Chimpanzee Breeding Center (south of Brazil)
Sanctuary: Sorocaba, São Paulo/Brazil
She lived in a private zoo that had been closed due to irregularities, and was rescued with her sister, Megh.
Date of birth: 05/17/2004Origin: Private zoo in Fortaleza/CE
Sanctuary: Ibiúna, São Paulo/Brazil
He arrived at the sanctuary in 2005 and his weight was only 7.8 kg. He was very thin, malnourished and scared. While he lived in the circus, Dino spent most of the day in a dark and very small cage, preventing his normal development. His musculature was atrophied and he showed signs of rickets.
Date of birth: 05/04/2003Origin: Circo
Sanctuary: São José dos Pinhais, Paraná/Brazil
She was one of the female chimpanzees used for breeding at the Marco Schwartz Commercial Chimpanzee Breeding Facility, which existed in southern Brazil.
Date of birth: 1985Origin: Marco Schwartz Commercial Chimpanzee Breeding Center (south of Brazil)
Sanctuary: Sorocaba, São Paulo/Brazil
She lived her childhood in the Circo di Napoli (Naples Circus). Due to a legal turnaround, she was sent to the Beto Carrero Zoo, and in 2005 she was finally transferred to the Sanctuary.
Date of birth: 1996Origin: Beto Carrero World Zoo
Sanctuary: Sorocaba, São Paulo/Brazil
Dunga was a sweet, understanding and delicate chimpanzee, he hardly ever got irritated, he always had a calm face of someone who had a good life.
Date of birth: 04/17/1995Origin: Brasilia Zoo
Sanctuary: São José dos Pinhais, Paraná/Brazil
He was one of the chimpanzees born in a former commercial breeding facility rescued as a baby and transferred to the Sanctuary.
Date of birth: 05/24/2000Origin: Marco Schwartz Commercial Chimpanzee Breeding Center (south of Brazil)
Sanctuary: Sorocaba, São Paulo/Brazil
in memoriam
Samanta's father. He lived for a brief period in the Sanctuary.
Date of birth: unkownOrigin: Marco Schwartz Commercial Chimpanzee Breeding Center (south of Brazil)
Sanctuary: Sorocaba, São Paulo/Brazil
Francis is one of the international residents of the Sanctuary and one of the oldest female. She was captured as a baby in Africa.
Date of birth: 1968Origin: Vesty Pakos Zoo (Bolivia)
Sanctuary: Sorocaba, São Paulo/Brazil
in memoriam
She was one of the chimpanzees born in the commercial breeding facility that existed in Brazil.
Date of birth: 1994Origin: Marco Schwartz Commercial Chimpanzee Breeding Center (south of Brazil)
Sanctuary: Sorocaba, São Paulo/Brazil
He was used as a breeding male in a former commercial center that operated in the south of Brazil.
Date of birth: 1985Origin: Marco Schwartz Chimpanzee Breeding Center (south of Brazil)
Sanctuary: Sorocaba, São Paulo/Brazil
in memoriam
Male chimpanzee Guga was born in a commercial breeding facility in Paraná, southern Brazil, in 1999. The place used to reproduce chimpanzees to sell to circuses and zoos. At the age of three months old, he was “adopted” by the businessman Pedro Ynterian, who in a short time realized that the chimpanzee was not a pet.
Date of birth: 1999Origin: Marco Schwartz Commercial Chimpanzee Breeding Center (south of Brazil)
Sanctuary: Sorocaba, São Paulo/Brazil
She was exploited in a circus, where all her teeth were removed, and later in a hotel, where she "worked entertaining the guests" and used to walk with a chain around her neck.
Date of birth: 1981Origin: Boa Luz Resort Hotel (Sergipe, Northeast Brazil)
Sanctuary: Sorocaba, São Paulo/Brazil
in memoriam
He lived most of his life in a circus, where he was castrated and had all his teeth removed.
Date of birth: 1986Origin: Circo di França
Sanctuary: Sorocaba, São Paulo/Brazil
He arrived at the sanctuary in 2008, along with his companion Tyson, when IBAMA (Brazilian Environmental Institute) confiscated all animals from Le Cirque Circus, in Brasília.
Date of birth: 1990Origin: Le Cirque Circus
Sanctuary: Sorocaba, São Paulo/Brazil
He lived alone for more than 10 years in a tiny enclosure in a zoo and arrived at the Sanctuary in 2011, after a rescue operation carried out by Ibama (Brazilian Environment Institute).
Date of birth: 1992Origin: Niterói zoo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Sanctuary: Sorocaba, São Paulo/Brazil
He lived with a family in São Paulo, Brazil, being raised as a pet, before being sent to the Curitiba zoo. From the zoo, he was transferred to the Sanctuary in 2005.
Date of birth: 1989Origin: Curitiba Zoo
Sanctuary: Sorocaba, São Paulo/Brazil
in memoriam
Born in a zoo on May 20, 2000, Johny was rejected by his mother. At five months old, he was received by the Starostik couple, living with them in their house until he was one year old, as he needed special care, such as a bottle every two hours.
Date of birth: 05/20/2000Origin: Zoo
Sanctuary: São José dos Pinhais, Paraná/Brazil
in memoriam
She lived for years at the Moscow Circus, taking pictures with the audience.
Date of birth: 1987Origin: Circus Moscou
Sanctuary: Vargem Grande Paulista, São Paulo/Brazil
Through an international NGO, after much processing, Judy was transferred to the Anami Institute sanctuary in 2012. After the quarantine period, she was integrated with Omega – the Lebanese chimpanzee who had lived alone until then. His euphoria was remarkable. The anxiety to be with her was reflected in her behavior. In the first physical contact, the two embraced and acceptance was mutual. Today, the chimpanzee couple lives in great harmony.
Date of birth: 1991Origin:
Sanctuary: São José dos Pinhais, Paraná/Brazil
She belonged to a circus in Northeast Brazil, which went bankrupt and sold her to an animal trader.
Date of birth: 1990Origin: Piracicaba Zoo
Sanctuary: Sorocaba, São Paulo/Brazil
Female. DOB: 03/02/95, in captivity. She lived most of her childhood in a zoo in Lisbon, Portugal. As a teenager, she was transferred to a zoo in Brazil and on May 25, 2010, Leila arrived at Anami along with Tota, her adoptive “mother”. She was extremely aggressive with everyone on the team, hitting the bars hard and not accepting the presence of humans. Over the years, she learned to trust her caregivers, realizing that they didn't pose any kind of threat. Today, she lives in harmony with three other chimpanzees, interacting with everyone as if she had always been part of the group. When she is happy with an enrichment item, she runs to hug Tota and Caíque.
Date of birth: 02/03/1995Origin: Lisbon Zoo-Portugal
Sanctuary: São José dos Pinhais, Paraná/Brazil
He arrived at the sanctuary in 2004 from a circus, where he was forced to perform circus shows, under mistreatment. He was soon integrated with Matheus and Carol, his brothers, who had been separated shortly after birth, but the reunion was marked by a lot of partying and games.
Date of birth: 09/11/2002Origin: Circus
Sanctuary: São José dos Pinhais, Paraná/Brazil
Lucy is a docile female and very zealous with her children. During her life in the circus, she had several puppies, but no opportunity to raise them, as they were taken from her the same day they were born. With her arrival at Anami, this reality changed. Lucy can raise Noel, her youngest son.
Date of birth: 1981Origin: Circus
Sanctuary: São José dos Pinhais, Paraná/Brazil
Since birth, she has lived in a group with her family.
Date of birth: 05/06/2003Origin: Great Apes Sanctuary of Sorocaba
Sanctuary: Sorocaba, São Paulo/Brazil
in memoriam
He was taken from his mother a few days after his birth and sold to a circus.
Date of birth: 1994Origin: Goiania Zoo
Sanctuary: Sorocaba, São Paulo/Brazil
in memoriam
She was used for breeding at the Marco Schwartz Chimpanzee Breeding Center (south of Brazil).
Date of birth: 1984Origin: Marco Schwartz Commercial Chimpanzee Breeding Center (south of Brazil)
Sanctuary: Sorocaba, São Paulo/Brazil
Son of Peter and Táta, who arrived pregnant at the sanctuary. Miguel and Milan's older brother. He is extremely affectionate, sociable and playful. Marcelino likes to make nests by cutting the blanket into several pieces and watching the other chimpanzees move around in the basket on top of the house. He is very active, he is always attentive, but at the same time he is very calm.
Date of birth: 03/27/2007Origin: Sorocaba Great Ape Sanctuary.
Sanctuary: Sorocaba, São Paulo/Brazil
During her childhood, she worked in a circus and had all her teeth pulled out. Later, she was taken to a commercial chimpanzee breeding facility, where she was used as a "breeder".
Date of birth: 1972Origin: Chimpanzee Breeding Marco Schwartz (PR)
Sanctuary: Sorocaba, São Paulo/Brazil
She had morbid obesity and diabetes. She spent most of the day inactive and rarely went outside to interact with the other chimpanzees. She suffered from binge eating and, whenever she could, stole food from others, often causing serious disagreements. She created a very strong bond with Zezinho, with whom she currently lives and has a very healthy relationship.
Date of birth: 09/24/1993Origin: Circo Garcia
Sanctuary: São José dos Pinhais, Paraná/Brazil
She arrived at the Sanctuary in 2014 very thin and sad, along with her companions, Jamaica and Martin. She adapted quickly to the Sanctuary and soon recovered, getting along well with everyone.
Date of birth: 1983Origin: Hotel Fazenda Boa Luz (SE)
Sanctuary: Sorocaba, São Paulo/Brazil
He arrived at the Sanctuary in 2004, coming from the former Circo Garcia. It is easy to get along with humans and, especially, with other chimpanzees. He is a strong and slender chimpanzee, very intelligent, curious, active and is always interested in the movement of the handlers around him.
Date of birth: 1996Origin: Circo Garcia
Sanctuary: Sorocaba, São Paulo/Brazil
He arrived at the Sanctuary in 2014 along with the chimpanzees Maria das Dores and Jamaica. She lived on a precarious and very small island with the two females and did not let the two feed, since the food was not enough for the three.
Date of birth: 1985Origin:
Sanctuary: Sorocaba, São Paulo/Brazil
He arrived at the sanctuary in 2002 and was separated from the others for security reasons, as he was very young. However, on the day he was integrated, the surprise was huge and, contrary to what was feared, the meeting resulted in strong hugs and positive interactions, indicating that the integration was a success.
Date of birth: 08/03/2001Origin: Circus
Sanctuary: São José dos Pinhais, Paraná/Brazil
She lived in a private zoo that had been closed due to irregularities, and was rescued with her sister, Deby.
Date of birth: 10/17/2005Origin: Private Zoo in Fortaleza/CE
Sanctuary: Ibiúna, São Paulo/Brazil
He is very similar to his brother Marcelino, both physically and in his personality. He is a little more introspective than Marcelino, but very docile and sociable with the people and chimpanzees he trusts. After entering puberty, Miguel had to change groups, as he was facing his father. Cecilia who was also changing groups was the perfect companion for him. The two gradually got closer and today they are inseparable, they stay together all the time and adore each other. Even very well together, the two maintain their family ties since they can interact with their relatives who are in the enclosures close to them and thus provide well-being for all.
Date of birth: 10/09/2010Origin:
Sanctuary: Sorocaba, São Paulo/Brazil
Youngest son of Tata and Peter, brother of Marcelino and Miguel. Milan has his peculiar way of observing everything and everyone, he lifts his head and looks “over the top”.
Date of birth: 09/07/2015Origin: Sorocaba Great Ape Sanctuary
Sanctuary: Sorocaba, São Paulo/Brazil
Mizrach likes to rest in his tower, but he also walks a lot and every now and then he is seen on top of the coconut trees picking jerivá coconuts. From the top he also observes the other groups and vocalizes a lot with the other chimpanzees.
Date of birth: 1985Origin: Private zoo in Israel
Sanctuary: São José dos Pinhais, Paraná/Brazil
She arrived at the Sanctuary in 2006, she is the sister of Carlos, Claudio and Vitor, but she never met them, as she was sold to the circus as a baby. She is a large, dominant female with a strong personality.
Date of birth: 1995Origin:
Sanctuary: Sorocaba, São Paulo/Brazil
in memoriam
He arrived at the sanctuary in 2003, coming from Circo di Nápoli.
Date of birth: 1983Origin: Circo di Nápoli
Sanctuary: Vargem Grande Paulista, São Paulo/Brazil
Fortunately, he was able to be raised by his mother at the sanctuary. Still very small, even being breastfed by her, he needed food supplements, as Lucy did not produce enough milk. On a daily basis, with confidence in the team, he handed him over to receive special care.
Date of birth: 10/21/2007Origin: Sanctuary
Sanctuary: São José dos Pinhais, Paraná/Brazil
Noel is very sociable, polite and loves to watch every movement of the cars, because from his enclosure he visualizes the garage and the movement of the employees. He is known as an “engineer” as he is very smart in everything he does. Like his brother, Emílio, when he is suspicious he has the same look as his mother, Margarete.
Date of birth: 12/20/1998Origin: Chimpanzee Breeding Center Marco Schwartz (south of Brazil)
Sanctuary: Sorocaba, São Paulo/Brazil
He was captured as a puppy and, since he was a little boy, he was exploited by a restaurant owner who gave him cigarettes and forced him to serve hookah from table to table. As a teenager, he was transferred to a precarious zoo in Lebanon and lived there until 2010. As he was reputed to be the smoking chimpanzee, zoo keepers and visitors would throw cigarettes at him. After several complaints, he was rescued by an international NGO. On November 9, 2010, Omega's life changed completely. He was welcomed into the sanctuary of the Anami Institute with open arms. He had a suffering and distrustful face, but little by little, he gained confidence, becoming a very cooperative and calm chimpanzee. Omega passed by u
Date of birth: 1998Origin: África
Sanctuary: São José dos Pinhais, Paraná/Brazil
He has a good relationship with everyone in his family, but he is already quite dominant, always trying to do what he wants and showing his strength to the females. He is very curious and active and is always attentive to the vocalization of other neighboring chimpanzees.
Date of birth: 01/08/2008Origin: Sorocaba Great Ape Sanctuary
Sanctuary: Sorocaba, São Paulo/Brazil
He arrived at the sanctuary in 2007, coming from the circus where he was subjected to abuse. He was integrated into a group of chimpanzees that came from São Paulo and regularly disputes leadership with an older male (Biito). Pedrinho has a strong personality and is always teasing others in the group. With unrivaled agility, he proves to be a stealthy male. Tina is her best friend and in conflict situations he is the one who protects her.
Date of birth: 07/27/1995Origin: Circus
Sanctuary: São José dos Pinhais, Paraná/Brazil
He arrived at the Sanctuary in 2007. He lived in a zoo in Fortaleza, where he suffered a lot along with the chimpanzees Tata and Judy, as the zoo was closed and it was in a precarious situation, causing them to suffer from a lack of food and water. Lost Paradise Zoo (CE)
Date of birth: 1985Origin: Lost Paradise Zoo (CE)
Sanctuary: Sorocaba, São Paulo/Brazil
Punia, her companion Pweke and her daughter, Zuri, come from an Argentinean zoo. There, the family shared the enclosure with two other chimpanzees, however, while they were in the internal enclosure, the two had to remain in the external enclosure. Due to this management difficulty and the impossibility of integrating the five individuals, Anami was asked to receive the three. They are the Institute's most recent guests, having arrived in 2018.
Date of birth: 02/20/1992Origin: Zoo in Argentina
Sanctuary: São José dos Pinhais, Paraná/Brazil
In 2002, he was transferred to a zoo in Argentina, where he lived until January 23, 2018, when he arrived at Anami along with his partner (Punia) and daughter (Zuri). He is a protective male and at the same time a little fearful, something common in newcomer chimpanzees.
Date of birth: 11/28/1992Origin: Zoo in the city of Basel, Switzerland
Sanctuary: São José dos Pinhais, Paraná/Brazil
When very young Rakker was not well accepted in the group of chimpanzees in the zoo where he lived and he was attacked several times by some members of the group, suffering serious injuries. Still at the zoo, one of the chimpanzees who accepted Rakker was Simon (Sam), who became his faithful companion and went to the Sanctuary with him in 2004.
Date of birth: 06/29/1991Origin: Artis Zoo in Amsterdam (Netherlands).
Sanctuary: Sorocaba, São Paulo/Brazil
She was one of the founders of the Sanctuary, arriving in the year 2000 along with chimpanzee Noel.
Date of birth: 02/14/1999Origin: Marco Schwartz Commercial Chimpanzee Breeding Center (south of Brazil)
Sanctuary: Sorocaba, São Paulo/Brazil
She has a physical appearance very similar to her aunt Carolina, as well as her personality, even her mannerisms resemble her aunt. Sara's particularity is in the way she looks at others, she lifts her head and grimaces when she's watching thoughtfully.
Date of birth: 05/22/2010Origin: Sorocaba Great Ape Sanctuary
Sanctuary: Sorocaba, São Paulo/Brazil
in memoriam
He was responsible for opening the eyes and hearts to the cause of great apes.
Date of birth: 03/20/1998Origin: Circo Garcia
Sanctuary: Vargem Grande Paulista, São Paulo/Brazil
in memoriam
He arrived at the Sanctuary in 2004, along with his partner Rakker. Both came from a zoo in the Netherlands.
Date of birth: 02/08/1990Origin: Artis Zoo de Amsterdã (Holanda)
Sanctuary: Sorocaba, São Paulo/Brazil
She is the daughter of Samanta and Guga. At first, she was not cared for by her mother and had to be cared for by humans, but later she was reintegrated into the group and today she lives very well with her mother and siblings. Sofia is the troublemaker of the family, always stirring up everyday life and teasing her brothers.
Date of birth: 04/28/2009Origin: Sorocaba Great Ape Sanctuary
Sanctuary: Sorocaba, São Paulo/Brazil
She is Luiza's daughter. She is very active and likes to play with all the family members. She is cheerful, spunky and curious and is always looking for a joke. She really likes to play with Yasmin and they are always up to no good.
Date of birth: 11/20/2014Origin: Sorocaba Great Ape Sanctuary
Sanctuary: Sorocaba, São Paulo/Brazil
Female Suzi is docile, jealous and sometimes suspicious. She is also very close to her adoptive father, Jimmy, but interacts and gets along well with everyone in the group.
Date of birth: 06/10/2011Origin: Sorocaba Great Ape Sanctuary
Sanctuary: Sorocaba, São Paulo/Brazil
He arrived at the sanctuary together with Maria, in 2007, very suspicious and very apprehensive. She carried trauma from 20 years of mistreatment in the circus. She wouldn't go down to the floor, she wouldn't leave the room and she would look around in fear of any noise.
Date of birth: 05/26/1987Origin: Circus
Sanctuary: São José dos Pinhais, Paraná/Brazil
She arrived at the sanctuary in 2010 and is the oldest chimpanzee at the Institute. Today she lives with Carol, Caíque and Leila, with whom she has an intense maternal relationship. Tota doesn't look her age. She is very active during the day and very methodical with her schedules, especially at mealtimes. Every day she sets up her nest to rest and loves the fruit treats that are offered in the late afternoon. She always vocalizes in a gesture of thanks.
Date of birth: 1979Origin: Zoo in Lisbon
Sanctuary: São José dos Pinhais, Paraná/Brazil
in memoriam
He arrived at the Sanctuary in 2008, when Ibama (Brazilian Environmental Institute) confiscated all the animals from Le Cirque Circus, in Brasília.
Date of birth: 1990Origin: Circo Le Cirque
Sanctuary: Sorocaba, São Paulo/Brazil
in memoriam
He arrived at the Sanctuary with a physical handicap, which was never officially explained.
Date of birth: 1997Origin: Marco Schwartz Commercial Chimpanzee Breeding Center (south of Brazil)/Circus
Sanctuary: Sorocaba, São Paulo/Brazil
Today, she lives in a group of six individuals, with Lucy as her best friend, with whom she shared the tasks of raising Noel during all these years. She also takes care of Dino and always protects him in times of tension. When she wants food, she claps her hands. Vitória seems to have recovered from her previous life and overcome her traumas.
Date of birth: 2000Origin: Lost Paradise Park Zoo
Sanctuary: São José dos Pinhais, Paraná/Brazil
Yuri was also required to take pictures with people. But luckily, his fate has completely changed. On May 6, 2009, he was sent to the Anami Institute, being the last circus chimpanzee to be rescued before this practice became illegal. Very humanized and weakened, he cried and didn't want to eat, probably missing his human family with whom he lived for 13 years.
Date of birth: 1996Origin: Circus
Sanctuary: São José dos Pinhais, Paraná/Brazil
After fourteen years of suffering in a circus, on February 12, 2007, Zezinho arrived at the Instituto Conservacionista Anami. Very humanized, he always sought contact with the team, vocalizing to attract the attention of anyone passing by. These days, he pretty much ignores people.
Date of birth: 12/31/1993Origin: Circus
Sanctuary: São José dos Pinhais, Paraná/Brazil
Female. DOB: 04/12/04, zoo in Argentina. She was transferred to the sanctuary on January 23, 2018, along with Pweke, her father, and Punia, her mother. Very withdrawn, she always hid behind her mother and took a long time to trust the team. She didn't even approach to get her favorite fruit. Sometimes she ate her parents' leftovers because she was too afraid to go near the trays. She often fought with Pweke, which occurred when she wanted to take some food from him. With much insistence, Zuri lost her fear. The disagreements subsided as she realized that the food was plentiful and that the team was there to support her. Zuri loves to climb the towers and stand upside down feeling the sun and wind that he loves so much. She is very active and playful. Its coat shines like n
Date of birth: 12/04/2004Origin: Zoo in Argentina
Sanctuary: São José dos Pinhais, Paraná/Brazil
The GAP Project
GAP is an international movement whose main objective is to fight for the basic rights to life, liberty and non-torture of non-human great apes - Chimpanzees, Gorillas, Orangutans and Bonobos, our closest relatives in the animal kingdom.
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