Hello, my name is
Clay

About Me

I was born at the Coulston Foundation on May 20, 1987, to my father, Mack, and mother, Jody. My mother was a good parent, but when I was only 10 hours old, I was taken from her and sent to be raised by humans in a laboratory nursery.

I was continually used in invasive biomedical research during the first 12 years of my life. When I was only two years old, I was subjected to multiple research studies. I was forced to endure frequent anesthesia with ketamine, blood draws, liver biopsies, and injections with mysterious “test materials.” In one study, I had a lymph node surgically removed. I was also used in studies of the toxic effects of ibuprofen, theophylline (anti-asthma), and lovastatin (cholesterol-lowering), even though all of these drugs were already approved for use in humans before experiments were begun on me.

In 2002, the Coulston Foundation was on the verge of bankruptcy, and I was one of 266 chimpanzees rescued by Save the Chimps. My records indicate that I had occasionally lived with at least one other chimp. However, when I was rescued, Save the Chimps found me living in solitary confinement in a small dark cell in Building 300, known as “The Dungeon.”Save the Chimps tried several times to introduce me to other chimps, but I was not ready. My years of isolation and abuse at Coulston have left some deep mental scars. I moved to the Florida sanctuary and lived at Special Needs, where I had a large play yard. Over time, I started having positive interactions with the chimps in my neighboring play yards.

A detailed plan was put into place to introduce me to Late’s family on Air Force Island. I bonded with several members of the group, including Jeff, Pam, Kayla, Tootie, and the alpha, Dwight. After years of living alone in Special Needs, the staff was overjoyed to see me having sweet play sessions with members of the group. I now have access to a 3-acre island, and I’m still adjusting to my new environment. I venture outside to the outdoor patio each day and will forage with my family on the front of the island, but I have yet to explore the island fully. I have the freedom to choose to take things at my own pace.