Chimp Haven, the world’s largest chimpanzee sanctuary, completed a major habitat expansion in July, adding a 12-bedroom wing totaling approximately 3,500 square feet and four new outdoor play yards totaling approximately 14,000 square feet. The first chimpanzee residents have begun moving into the new spaces, which increase flexibility for caring for the nearly 300 chimpanzees who call the sanctuary home.
The expansion comes as Chimp Haven continues to meet the long-term needs of a large and aging chimpanzee population. At the sanctuary, chimpanzees live in large social groups and receive individualized veterinary and behavioral care, with daily enrichment designed to support movement, curiosity and social connection. The added bedrooms and play yards give care teams more options to support changing health needs, social introductions and individualized care plans.
While Chimp Haven receives partial federal support for the care of federally owned chimpanzees formerly involved in biomedical research studies, construction projects like this depend on private donations. The new habitat expansion reflects years of planning and donor support to create more space for residents.
The project was made possible through more than $5.6 million in private support, including a lead gift established in 2024 by the Annenberg Foundation at the direction of Wallis Annenberg and generous support from Grace Charitable Foundation, the American Anti-Vivisection Society (AAVS) and others.
“This expansion means more room for the chimps to be chimps,” said Rana Smith, President and CEO of Chimp Haven. “It gives residents more spaces to climb, rest, explore and spend time with their groupmates, while giving our care team more flexibility to support each chimpanzee’s needs as they change over time.”
Photos show the first residents exploring the new outdoor play yards, including climbing structures with added supports to help older chimpanzees move through the space comfortably. The expansion also includes air-conditioned bedroom areas, digital cameras that allow caregivers to monitor the chimps’ needs and a built-in power washing system to support daily cleaning and care routines.
“We are grateful for every donor who helped bring this project to life,” Smith said. “Because of them, we have more flexibility and opportunity to provide chimpanzees the Chimp Life and give our care team more room to care for them as their needs change over time.”