In loving memory of
Spike

About Me

I was born March 16, 1990, at The Coulston Foundation, a research lab in Alamogordo, NM, to my mother Samantha, and my father Bubba. I was taken from my mother within 12 hours of birth and raised in the laboratory nursery. Eventually, I was moved into a barren building dubbed “The Dungeon,” for it’s dark and dismal conditions.

There I remained until 2002 when Save the Chimps took over The Coulston Foundation and rescued me and 265 other chimpanzees. Today I live in a chimpanzee family known as Tanya’s Group. Together we share a spacious island home with rolling hills and trees. I am a friendly, handsome chimpanzee who is loved by all who know me. I seem stoic when you first meet me, but don’t let that fool you, I love a great game of tug of war, and being tickled with tickle sticks. I am an excellent mediator when arguments arise, when I step in the group respects me. I played an integral role in helping Allie, a former pet, become part of our family. Allie had never been around chimps before and did not know how to communicate, I made sure to take Allie under my wing and show her the ropes. Because of my guidance and Worthy’s, the alpha of our family, Allie is now a full member of our family and she’s actually learned how to be a chimp!