Delilah was born in Alamogordo, New Mexico, on May 5, 1996, at the Coulston Foundation, a now-defunct laboratory with the most Animal Welfare Act violations in history. She was taken from her mother at birth and raised in the Coulston Foundation nursery. For the first two years of her life, she was subjected to monthly sedations with the drug ketamine to have her blood drawn. At one point, she was involved in a cognition study, though the length of the study is not clear in her records. Her laboratory record shows that she often plucked her hair, a sign of boredom and stress in captive primates.
In 2002, Save the Chimps rescued Delilah and 265 other chimpanzees from the Coulston Foundation and over time transported them to their new sanctuary home in Florida. She now lives in a large family group called Freddy’s family, and she loves spending time on her sunny island home. She also absolutely loves oversized stuffed animals and can often be seen using them as beds. She no longer shows signs of abnormal behavior, and she is described by her caregivers as good-natured and playful. Fresh air, enrichment, friendship, and choices have transformed her into the happy and healthy chimpanzee she is today.
Ways to Support Delilah
- Delilah has never received a symbolic adoption and her family, known as Freddy’s family, has never received a symbolic family adoption. With your adoption, you will receive a custom digital certificate and biography via email, plus a subscription to the e-newsletter Pant-Hoots to Parents.
- Sponsor items Delilah needs and loves, like nuts and dried fruit, through our Wishlist Store.
- Make a one-time or recurring donation in honor of Delilah (below)