Wenka is a frail 55-year-old chimpanzee, held at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center in Atlanta, who deserves the comfort of sanctuary. Her time for the comfort and safety of sanctuary is running out.
While Project R&R is committed to getting all chimpanzees out of all U.S. labs, your immediate help is needed to secure Wenka’s release, along with that of all of the other eldest in captivity - most if not all of whom have been in a lab for 40 years or more. Many have spent their entire lives in a laboratory enduring multiple procedures or being repeatedly “bred” to make more babies for research. Some were captured as infants in Africa.
The Chimpanzee Elders** Who Need Our Help*
Wenka, age 55 – Yerkes National Primate Research Center, GA
Gwen, age 54 – New Iberia Research Center (deceased 2006)
Susie, age 52 – Primate Foundation of Arizona, AZ (deceased)
Cheeta, age 52 – Yerkes National Primate Research Center, GA
Lulu, age 52 – Yerkes National Primate Research Center, GA
Maxine, age 52– Yerkes National Primate Research Center, GA
Flo, age 52 – Alamogordo Primate Facility, NM (government owned)
Karen, age 51 – New Iberia Research Center, LA
Billy Ray, age 50 – New Iberia Research Center, LA (deceased 2007)
Guy, age 50 – Alamogordo Primate Facility, NM (government owned)
Harriet, age 49 – Primate Foundation of Arizona, AZ (deceased)
Diana, age 49 – New Iberia Research Center, LA
Jan, age 49 – New Iberia Research Center, LA
Julius, age 49 – New Iberia Research Center, LA
Lady Bird, age 49 – New Iberia Research Center, LA
Pumpkin, age 49 – New Iberia Research Center, LA
Sandy, age 49 – New Iberia Research Center, LA
Walter B., age 49 – New Iberia Research Center, LA
Clay, age 49 – New Iberia Research Center, LA
Martha, age 49 - Yerkes National Primate Research Center, GA
Mary, age 49 - Yerkes National Primate Research Center, GA
Jake, age 48 – New Iberia Research Center, LA (deceased)
Jenda, age 48 – Yerkes National Primate Research Center, GA (deceased)
Reba, age 48 – Yerkes National Primate Research Center, GA (deceased)
Winny, age 48 - Alamogordo Primate Facility, NM (government owned)
Kirby, age 48 - Alamogordo Primate Facility, NM (government owned)
Maxwell, age 48 - Alamogordo Primate Facility, NM (government owned)
Boka, age 47 – Yerkes National Primate Research Center, GA (deceased)
Pierre, age 47 - M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, TX
Gigi, age 47 - M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, TX
Happy, age 47 - Primate Foundation of Arizona, AZ
Josam, age 47 - Alamogordo Primate Facility, NM (government owned)
Iyk, age 47 - Yerkes National Primate Research Center, GA
Beleka, age 47 - Yerkes National Primate Research Center, GA
Janice, age 47 - New Iberia Research Center, LA
*On average the life expectancy for chimpanzees in captivity averages only 30 yrs/males and 45/yrs females. Their time is running out. Chimpanzees are considered elderly beginning at 25 yrs/males and 30 yrs/females.
**Project R&R’s curent Elder Campaign is currently focusing on chimpanzees 47 years of age or older.
Sources: Cohen, J. Jan. 26, 2007. The Endangered Lab Chimp. Science. Vol. 315; and
Videan, E. N. et. al. 2008. Effects of Aging on Hematology and Serum Clinical Chemistry in Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). American Journal of Primatology, Apr;70(4):327-38.
Some labs have not responded to our requests for 2008 census information. Therefore, it is unknown if all the individuals listed above are still alive, have been transferred to other facilities, or if other elders exist.
You can change their fate and help make their remaining years a life of dignity and protection in sanctuary by clicking here to sign onto the Project R&R petition demanding their immediate release from the laboratories that currently hold them.
