Hello, my name is
Ellie Mae

About Me

Ellie Mae was born on August 13, 1988, at the Coulston Foundation research lab in Alamogordo, New Mexico, to her parents Linda and Cliff. She was raised by her mother for just over two years, but on November 5, 1990, both Ellie Mae and Linda were anesthetized. When Linda woke up, Ellie Mae was gone. Ellie Mae woke up alone in a cage, separated from her mother forever.

Although she was never assigned to a research study, Ellie Mae was anesthetized up to four times a year for physical exams. At just eight years old, she was introduced to an unidentified “trainer breeding male,” despite her young age. While chimpanzees can technically become pregnant at that age, wild female chimpanzees typically do not have their first child until around the age of 14. Fortunately, Ellie Mae never became pregnant.

In September 2002, Save the Chimps rescued Ellie Mae when the sanctuary took over the Coulston Foundation and gained custody of its 266 chimpanzees. Today, she lives on a spacious island home with her best friend, Salina, and other members of Tanya’s Family.

Ellie Mae is a high-ranking female in her family, with strong relationships with the other chimp members. She prefers to keep her surroundings neat and clean, and one of her favorite activities is twirling like a ballerina along with the toys in her bedroom, showcasing her gracefulness and playful spirit.