The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has announced that it will transfer all of the remaining 23 chimpanzees currently languishing at the Alamogordo Primate Facility in New Mexico to the Chimp Haven sanctuary in Louisiana. This is big news because, in 2019, the NIH classified these chimps as moribund and refused to relocate them, claiming it would compromise their health. AAVS joined other animal protection organizations in challenging that decision, since transporting chimps—even those with serious health problems—has been done successfully for decades. Now, the agency says that, because over half of the animals’ longtime caregivers, who are employed by the contractor, Charles River Laboratories, will be retiring soon, it’s in the best interest of the chimpanzees to be under the care of Chimp Haven. “We have always strongly believed that sanctuary is the best place for retired chimpanzees to live out their lives and are thrilled these chimps will finally have their opportunity to come to Chimp Haven, where they’ll receive expert care and an incredible retirement designed just for them—they’ve earned it,” said Rana Smith, President and CEO of Chimp Haven.
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