Hello, my name is
Seve

About Me

I was born on July 9, 1993 at the Coulston Foundation in Alamogordo, New Mexico, a notorious laboratory with extensive Animal Welfare violations. Most baby chimps were taken from their mothers immediately at birth to be raised in the nursery, but I was allowed to be with my mother for two years. This likely made our separation even more traumatic, as we had time to develop a deep, loving bond. I was used in multiple experiments in several labs undergoing countless sedations, bloodwork, and biopsies. During these studies I had severe allergic reactions, anesthetic complications, and a part of my liver was removed. Six years into the research I started self-mutilating that manifested years later as PTSD. After 9 years of treatment and healing, I have finally found peace.

I have a very unique personality. My group, Seve’s family, is named after me. At the core of this group is a pack of strong, young males, of which I am “one of the boys.” It is rare to see me alone – I stick very closely to my friends. We all roam our island together, eat together, and play together. I have an insatiable appetite (especially for oranges – my absolute favorite!), probably to compensate for the fact that I am constantly moving. Even when I’m sitting down, I am always bobbing my head or tapping on my feet with my hands. I also like to carry hard plastic toys around and tap them on benches and platforms. It’s nearly impossible to get a picture of me because I practically vibrate from all my activity.

Though I am happy and healthy now, my PTSD still occasionally affects me. Every now and then I start screaming and no one knows what seems to trigger it. Once I get reassurance from one of my close friends, I always calm down. Usually Yvette, the matriarch of my family, comes to my side to help. I also sometimes get upset if my friends Logan and Hunter aren’t close by, but they come back to reassure me when I can’t find them. My friends are so supportive that they always come to me when I’m upset, so I don’t have to go find them. Everyone seems to understand my special needs, and I am very well-liked and respected in my family group. No one seems to think twice about giving me the extra care I need – they love me for who I am.

Help Save the Chimps build new climbing structures on my island by donating today.