Chimpanzees have not always been a protected species, especially chimpanzees residing in captivity in the United States. Chimpanzees in the wild were given Endangered Species status in 1990, however, for the first and only time in history, there was a split listing. This meant that while chimpanzees in the wild were considered an Endangered Species, those in captivity were not.

This allowed chimpanzees in the US to be used in biomedical research, the entertainment industry, and the pet trade. Fortunately, in 2015 this split listing ended and all chimpanzees were deemed endangered, allowing them greater protection. Here’s a brief historical timeline:

Your donation to Save the Chimps allows us to care for our more than 220 chimpanzee residents. We can’t change their difficult history but we can give them the dignified retirement they deserve.

On behalf of the more than 220 chimpanzees in our care, thank you for your compassion and generosity.