Q. Hi, I am a student studying Animal Care in the UK. For one of my projects at the moment I am trying to design an item of environmental enrichment for chimpanzees I would like to contact some businesses that actually produce toys and equipment for chimpanzees, but I am having trouble finding any names on the internet, do you have any companies that you buy direct from and if you do could I please have their details?!

A. As we are a nonprofit organization we cannot afford to buy them lots of toys. The fortunate part is we have a wonderful local and wide-ranging community that donates toys and blankets. We find our chimps like the same toys that a 3 to 5 year old child would like. Plush stuffed animals, toys that make sounds, toys that move on their own, As well as magazines, catalogs, posters, etc.. Sometimes they destroy them and that?s ok. Enrichment may be fun and positive, or not so fun and unenthusiastic, nevertheless a reaction either way is enrichment. A few things that we have found to be non destructible and fun is fire hose and KONG toys made for tough dogs.

Q. Unfortunately, I am not yet in a position to volunteer much time to this cause besides my research paper, but if letters need to be written, I am very concerned for our genetic cousins. If you could use my help, I would be happy to write as many letters as I might or take care of other necessary tasks. Unfortunately, I am one of the poor students, so I can't afford to
donate just yet, but when in a better position; I hope to help causes like this one. Please write if you find a moment. Thank you for your help. Be well.

A. Don't worry about not donating. There are plenty of things you can do from home, cost free, to help our captive siblings. Number one is educate yourself to educate other people about what the problem is with captive chimps, chimps as pets, chimps in entertainment, etc...(We could send you information on this if you would like) Also, always write letters to places that exploit these beings. (i.e. the Ellen Degeneress show has a orangutan on it, Monk series has a chimp, etc...Write to these people to let them know what harm they are doing to these animals by exploiting them, also to the channel that is airing them. One by one you make a difference

Q. I'm researching chimpanzee mothering behaviors in captivity and have a few questions. Do chimps have difficulty mothering their offspring when they are in captivity?

A. This depends on many conditions. Environment or the way they were brought up is only a couple to name. If they are given adequate space, healthy living conditions, proper diet, and have no outside stresses, as well as, were taught or somehow learned parenting skills. Under all these circumstances a chimps chances at being a good mother would improve.

Q. If mothering behaviors tend to be learned rather than innate, can female chimps learn to be good mothers in a captive setting?

A. Yes

Q. Hello, my name is Corinne Custodio. I'm doing a History Day Project on "Jane Goodall's "Communication With chimpanzees". I'm trying to contact different organizations, institutions, zoos, etc. Some of the questions I want to ask are:
Do the chimpanzees you with communicate with you and how do they communicate with you and you communicated with them?

A. Yes our chimpanzees do communicate to us. They understand much of what we say in English. Sometimes I have to be careful what I say so they do not understand me. I find myself spelling things out to people like one would do with a little kid. However, they understand some sign language and all body language and gestures that I make. It is more important the chimp knows sign language so that we (humans) can understand what they want and to keep their (chimp) frustration level low.


Q. I was reading all of your responses to everyone's questions about buying their own chimp. Why do you say to everyone that they need to be in the wild, yet you have four our more of your own? Don't get me wrong, I think what you are doing is wonderful but what makes you and all the people that work with you so much more eligible or responsible to own and take care of a chimp? I'm sure others would also like to know the answer.

A. Your question is really a good one and I hope I have provided a satisfactory answer. Sanctuaries like ours have clearly defined missions. Our mission here at Chimps Inc. is furthering chimpanzee conservation through education. We are a private sanctuary that provides a recuperative and retirement home for chimpanzees. Unfortunately, there are thousands of chimpanzees that are living in the United States, an unnatural home for them. Humans have enslaved our sibling species for selfish purposes and have subjected them to horrible lives in captivity. Nevertheless, returning captive animals that have depended on humans is usually not possible. Though the ideas are tempting and often romantically idealized captive chimps simply lack the skills and knowledge to live in the wild, once after being raised as a human. What is natural to chimpanzees raised as humans is exactly what they are use to, TV, books, tools, dressing up, and everything you also enjoy. What would you do if someone took you out of your home and city, and told you to live in the jungle?

Our responsibility is to protect those in the wild from becoming extinct species and ensure that those who cannot be released have the chance to be dignified apes. Our sanctuary not only provides spacious, enriched living areas, and excellent general care, but our personnel and volunteers have been well trained and educated in caring for these animals, not "owning" them. You might consider volunteering at a zoo or sanctuary near you where you can get a better idea of what it takes to be involved with any wild animal. Thank you and good luck.

Q. Hi, I love all wild animals, especially apes. I will be attending college in a few months and I need to sign up for courses. I don't know where to begin, (conservation, education, advocacy, husbandry???) where I should focus my energy, and what will get my foot in the door in a career like this. I would appreciate any guidance.

A. It is wonderful to know there is such devoted and compassionate people like yourself. Educating yourself (and others) is the biggest tool to have for land and animal conservation. I'm not sure what your college offers, in terms of courses, however learning about environmental/land conservation is a course your want to take. You must first understand the habitat in which these endangered animals live in, what is required in their natural state. One of the biggest problems is trying to keep the animal on their native lands. Also, look into evolution (important to know history and development), Anthropology, primatology. If you are more interested in conservation/preservation, I would not spend so much time in the psychology department, unless you are leaning in that direction. There is a big difference between a science and a social science. I hope this has helped you. If you have any more questions please feel free to contact me.

Q. Hi, I am a teenager and love animals. I have always loved animals. I am doing a project on captive animals, behavior and rehabilitation. If I could take a few minutes of your time and ask you a few questions. How did you start your career? Do you work hands on with the chimps? Do you think a chimpanzee taken from the wild and put in a captive situation is domestic? At my age what can I do to help captive chimps.

A. Thank you for emailing us on your very many questions on chimpanzees, I will try and answer your questions to the best of my ability. I have always been interested in working with animals since I was a little girl. I love to care for them, and try to observe any wild animal in the most natural environment possible. I then followed my dream to work with animals by going to college and getting my degree in biology. I tailored my degree towards animal care.  Yes, I do work hands on with the chimps, however, I do not go inside the cages with the chimps.  I do not feel that any wild animal that is taken from its natural environment can ever be comfortable being studied in captivity. "You can take an animal out of the wild, but you will never take the wild out of an animal." They have natural instinct that will never become domestic by captive situation. Whether you study a chimp for biomedical reasons or for behavioral reasons you are still imprisoning an innocent animal that never asked for this situation.   Teenagers can educate themselves on chimps, apes, and primates in general to understand why they should not become captive. Then in return educate the people around you. Spread the word. Also you can construct enrichment (toys that mentally stimulate wild animals) and distribute them to sanctuaries. If you are interested I can give you some ideas. Learn, learn, learn... the more you know the more you will understand, the more you understand the more you can help.

Q. Hi I am just 13 years old and I don?t know much about chimps but I have just a couple of questions. Why do all the chimps that I see on television have peach faces and all the chimps I see in the zoo are really big and have black faces? I don?t understand why the chimps on television look so much different than the real chimps I see at my zoo?

A. Chimps are born with black hair and a peach colored face. As they age their face turns black. chimpanzees? arms are longer than their legs. This characteristic makes it possible for them to reach out to fruits growing on thin branches that can?t support their weight. chimpanzees can walk upright for short distances if their hands are full, but they usually use a ?knuckle walk" ? with the bottoms of their feet and the knuckles of their hands making contact with the ground. They have opposable thumbs and opposable big toes to help them grip.