In brief
A group of former Hollywood chimpanzees are adapting to a new life at Lincoln Park Zoo, where they are being rehabilitated to socialize with other chimps after years in entertainment.
On a rainy morning at Lincoln Park Zoo, the atmosphere was lively as children shouted and played near the chimpanzee exhibit. In contrast, the chimps displayed a more tranquil demeanor, foraging and lounging in hammocks. Behind the scenes, however, lay another group of chimps, notably anxious and reactive to unfamiliar visitors. Eli, a young adult chimp, and Susie, a spirited female, approached their enclosure with visible apprehension, especially when a camera was introduced.Eli and Susie had spent significant portions of their lives under the spotlight of Hollywood, participating in television shows, music videos, and commercials. Before their arrival at the zoo in 2020, they were part of a culture that commodified chimpanzees, which are surprisingly vulnerable to unsuitable conditions. Only since the Endangered Species Act was amended in 2015 have captive chimpanzees received some level of protection, yet many are still susceptible to being kept as private pets or performers.As highlighted in the recent HBO docuseries "Chimp Crazy," the consequences of this lifestyle can be dire, with many chimps left in small, inhumane spaces. The docuseries effectively illuminated the dangers and ethical concerns surrounding the pet primate trade. Kate Dylewsky, from the Animal Welfare Institute, stated that the series brought to light the harsh realities chimps face when raised as pets, advocating for a nationwide ban on such practices.At Lincoln Park Zoo, specialists are dedicated to rehabilitating ex-Hollywood chimps, helping them shed the behaviors conditioned by human interaction and rekindling their natural chimpanzee instincts. The road to recovery is formidable but essential for ensuring that these intelligent and inherently social animals can find comfort and community among their own kind.
