Biographies

Meet a few of our fascinating residents. Click the pictures or links for their full stories!

The Chimps

Alan Li Artwork

The chimp pictures below are taken from portraits by Alan Li. More of his work is on display in our Alan Li Gallery.

One of our proudest accomplishments is the unification of the two previously separate chimpanzee groups. The “kids” arrived in 1996 after LEMSIP, the biomedical research laboratory lab at which they were bred and housed, finalized plans to shut down. The four adults are survivors of the “Dahlonega 5,” who were rescued from a private situation in Georgia in which they had spent decades in squalid conditions.

In the summer of 2000 the two groups were united into one cohesive unit of eleven that more resembles the social dynamic of a natural troop. Both the adults from Georgia and the adolescents from LEMSIP have benefited tremendously from this integration that has enabled more complex interactions and social opportunities. Before the introductions, the adults were quite sedentary, spending their days grooming and napping. Afterward they became busy running, playing and reprimanding the youngsters (who are now young adults) for inappropriate behavior.

Cory, one of the chimpanzees Cory was born at LEMSIP biomedical research laboratory. He fortunately came to us with the infants he was raised with, and he has become close with the adults… Donald, the alpha chimp Donald is in his late thirties. We don’t know his exact age because in the 1960’s, pet chimps were mostly wild-caught…
Mr. Mona the Mona Guenon Hazel is a female chimpanzee in her late thirties or early forties. She is the oldest and largest of the PRC chimpanzees. Hazel is diabetic… Ike the Chimp Ike is another LEMSIP chimp. He bonded closely with the other infant chimps, especially Noelle and Rodney…
Jenny the Chimpanzee Jenny was born at LEMSIP. Being separated from her mother at birth was very hard on Jenny, and as a young chimp she clung tightly to her close friend, Pozna… Martina the Chimp Martina Martina was born at LEMSIP and raised in a nursery. Sweet-natured Martina bonded closely with her human caretakers…
Noelle the Chimpanzee Noelle Noelle was born at LEMSIP. The “mask” around her eyes and her naughty, sneaky, unpredictable nature made some call her “bandit.”… Pozna the Chimp Pozna, the youngest of the PRC chimps, was born in 1995 at LEMSIP. She and her close friend, Jenny, were inseparable for a long time…
Rodney the Chimpanzee Rodney was born at LEMSIP. Though being separated at birth from their mothers is extremely difficult for young chimps, Rodney remained quite a character… Ike the Chimpanzee Victoria is one of the “Dahlonega 5.” Treated practically as human children as juveniles, it was especially hard on Vicky when they became too big and imposing and were locked away…
Zulu the Chimpanzee Zulu is a female chimpanzee and former pet, one of the “Dahlonega 5,” living for over a decade in a confined and filthy concrete room. Nevertheless, Zulu retained a sweet persona towards humans… All chimp portraits Copyright © 2001-07 Alan Li

Monkeys

Mr. Mona the Mona Guenon Bobber is a male Barbary macaque. One of the larger monkey species, he can be intimidating and extremely territorial… Crunchy the Pigtail Macaque Crunchy is an elderly Pigtail Macaque who arrived at the PRC in 1994. A dear sweet girl, we know little of her history…
Mr. Mona the Mona Guenon Mr. Mona is a male Mona Guenon. He has lived at the PRC since 1995. He is extremely laid back and a friendly guy…