In northwest Louisiana, Chimp Haven is a unique sanctuary giving hundreds of chimpanzees a second chance at life. Located in Caddo Parish, this 200-acre refuge is home to nearly 300 chimpanzees, making it the largest sanctuary of its kind in the world.
What began about 30 years ago—after chimpanzees were no longer needed for biomedical research—has grown into a lifelong home for animals that cannot return to the wild.
Chimp haven – a life-long sanctuary
Chimpanzees were once widely used in medical research, including studies on HIV and AIDS. But when scientists determined they were not effective research models, a new challenge emerged—what to do with the animals that had been bred for that purpose.
Chimp Haven became the answer. The sanctuary received its first chimpanzees in 2005, offering a place where their lives could begin again. As colony director Michelle Reininger explains, “One nice thing about Chimp Haven is that we allow the chimps to just be who they are.”
personalities, play and enrichment
Each chimp at Chimp Haven has a distinct personality. Some form close social groups, grooming and interacting throughout the day. Others prefer solitude—like a female named Inky, who often sits alone. And then there’s Sparky, known for being especially friendly toward people.
Daily life includes a mix of activity and enrichment. Staff members call the chimps in for snacks like peanuts and popcorn, while special frozen treats—juice boxes wrapped inside socks—challenge them to unwrap their rewards. The chimps also engage with puzzles, toys, and other enrichment designed to stimulate their highly intelligent minds.
That intelligence can be striking. Reininger recalls a chimp named Emma who pointed at items on a grocery flyer—bananas and oranges—and then gestured toward the commissary, clearly understanding where the food was kept.
chimp haven – managing complex behavior and conflict
With intelligence comes complexity. Chimpanzees have intricate social structures, and at times, conflicts arise. Some altercations can escalate, and in rare cases, have turned deadly. When that happens, staff closely monitor behavior and make adjustments. Groups may be separated or moved into different environments to maintain stability. “Anytime there’s any kind of an altercation,” Reininger says, teams evaluate whether changes are needed to better support the chimps.
a lifelong home for chimpanzees
Some people ask why these chimpanzees cannot simply return to the wild. The answer is straightforward—they were raised in captivity and lack the skills needed to survive on their own. They do not know how to find food or care for themselves in a natural environment.
With lifespans that can reach into their sixties, Chimp Haven becomes a permanent home. For many of these animals, whatever hardships they experienced before are left behind. “As far as we’re concerned,” Reininger says, “their life starts here at Chimp Haven.” It is a place defined by care, complexity, and second chances—where chimpanzees can simply live as themselves.
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plan a visit
Chimp Haven hosts two Chimpanzee Discovery Days each year, one in the Spring and the second in the Fall. The Spring event will be held Saturday, April 18, 2026, from 9am-noon. The second Chimp Discovery Day is scheduled for October 17, 2026. The public is invited to observe chimp families in their habitats and get a behind-the-scenes tour of the facility. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children. Ages 4 and under are free. The tickets are available on a first-come first-serve basis through the Chimp Haven website. Click Here for more information.
getting there
Chimp Haven is located at 13600 Chimpanzee Place, Keithville, Louisiana. You can call the facility at (318) 925-9575 to discuss possible private tours.
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