Short Wave Chimp Haven Welcomes New Retirees
Feb 4, 2022
Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR science correspondent, discusses the transition of research chimpanzees to Chimp Haven following the NIH's decision to end invasive studies in 2015. She shares the touching reunion of chimps Huey and Pancake with their caregiver after 20 years apart, illuminating the emotional aspects of their new lives. Nell also addresses the ethical implications surrounding chimpanzee research and the challenges of relocating these animals, highlighting the need for careful planning in their retirement.
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Chimp Reunion
- Amy Fultz, Chimp Haven co-founder, reunited with chimps Pancake and Huey after two decades.
- The chimps, formerly research subjects, now reside at Chimp Haven.
Milestone & Ineligibility
- Pancake and Huey's arrival marks a milestone: all eligible NIH research chimps are now at Chimp Haven.
- However, some chimps remain ineligible due to various factors.
End of Chimp Research
- Biomedical research on primates continues, but not on chimpanzees.
- The NIH ended invasive research on chimps in 2015 due to ethical concerns and scientific alternatives.