Ike

Get to know Ike, or any one of our residents, while supporting their daily needs through a symbolic adoption.

Adopt Ike Learn about our Primate Pals Program

Cost of care: $40/day

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Photos of Ike

Rescued: 1996

Ike was born on June 6, 1994, at LEMSIP, a former biomedical research laboratory in New York. Like many chimpanzees bred for research, he was separated from his mother at birth and raised by humans, along with other chimps, in a nursery-like settings. Ike bonded closely with the other infants, especially Noelle and Rodney. These three learned to comfort one another by huddling together in a “train”—stomach to back—when frightened or under stress, as they had no mother to turn to.

As they’ve matured together here, they no longer race into “train” formation if upset; instead, they comfort one another with such conventional means as outstretched arms, hugs, or mouthing behaviors. As Ike has grown into a strong young adult, his confidence has also increased. He seems to know that as Donald (the dominant male) ages, his chances are good for claiming that top position. His standing is further bolstered by the younger females, many of whom support him. It is fascinating for us to watch as the young chimps reach adulthood and the social dynamics shift. We’re particularly anxious to see if Ike, the second-oldest male, does indeed claim the dominant position, or if Rodney or Cory challenge him.

Ike’s athletic build, tall stature, and 140 pounds of pure muscle make him an intimidating presence (in the wild, the larger male chimps typically weigh 90 to 100 pounds). He is often uninterested in interacting with the caretakers or other chimps, but is sometimes observed “testing” the strength of the caging by pounding on the bars with his long arms to make his presence known.

About the Common Chimpanzee

Size	4 to 5.5 feet, 70 to 130 pounds
Average Lifespan	35-40 years in the wild 50-60 years in captivity
Notable Features	Long, powerful arms for climbing in trees; on the ground, they walk upright or on all fours, using their knuckles for support
Diet	Omnivore, but partial to fruit
Chimpanzees are humans' closest living relatives, sharing an estimated 94 percent of our DNA. In the wild, these empathetic and intelligent mammals live in large social groups called communities. Because of habitat loss, hunting, and poaching of babies for the pet trade, chimps are classified as endangered.