Chimp Haven, Chimpanzee sanctuary in Shreveport, US
Chimp Haven is a chimpanzee sanctuary in Shreveport, Louisiana, that provides a permanent home for animals previously held in research facilities. The wooded grounds are divided into several sections where the chimpanzees live in family groups and move freely outdoors.
The sanctuary was founded following a federal law from 2000 that required the government to care for chimpanzees no longer used in research. Since then, Chimp Haven has grown into the country's largest federally supported refuge for former laboratory chimpanzees.
The name reflects its core purpose: a safe place where chimpanzees begin life anew after laboratory work. Visitors observe how the animals live in social groups and interact with one another, revealing how deeply community matters to these primates.
Visits are only possible on guided tours, which take guests through the grounds to observe the animals in their groups. Booking in advance is recommended, as availability changes throughout the year.
Every chimpanzee at Chimp Haven has a name and an individual profile kept by the care team, who know each animal's habits and preferences. When a new chimpanzee arrives from a laboratory, it is slowly introduced to others so that social bonds can form naturally.
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