Born
in 1970 in Sierra Leone, Africa, Cooper was one of the original laboratory
research chimpanzees from a lab in upper New York State where he was
experimented on for hepatitis research. Nonetheless, he has grown up
at Lion
Country Safari to be a wonderful chimp and a kind "patron"
in his small group.
His ragged ears and gray face distinguish him from the beautiful ladies
in this group.
Born
here in 1990, Dandy has one eye that is opaque because of a childhood
injury. She is all chimp and the successful offspring of our laboratory
research
group. Her parents overcame their life in sterile confinement to reproduce
and successfully raise this beautiful girl. Dandy's presence has really
enhanced the group and proves to the world that chimpanzees are resilient
and adaptable.
Born
in Africa in 1968, Swing is the mother of Dandy. She is also an abstract
artist. Her paintings have been displayed at several zoos across the country
to
raise awareness and money for chimpanzee retirement facilities such as
Chimp
Haven in Louisiana. Swing came here in 1975 from a research lab. Her attraction
and affection for humans is unbounded despite her ordeal. She loves her
group
and
is a bright star loved by all.
Born
in Africa in 1968, Doll is very docile and stays to herself. She is vocal
when she needs to be, though. She came to Lion Country Safari in 1975
from a
research lab. The lab chimps were separated from other chimps almost at
birth
and raised in a stark research laboratory. Lion Country Safari gave these
chimps
a chance to live out their lives as chimps when we participated in an
experiment to
see if lab chimps could be rehabilitated. The risk paid off by showing
the research
world that these chimps could be socialized! Now, chimp retirement facilities
are
being built all over the world, modeled after Lion Country Safari, to
provide a life
for these "givers."
Born
in Africa in 1970, Bashful came to Lion Country Safari in 1972; he
was raised in our nursery where he earned his name with his shy, introverted
nature. He was always kept with other chimps so that he would grow up
to be
more of a chimp. He doesn't care for politics, so he does not rule this
group.
Because of his size and status, he is respected by all.
Born
here in 1990, Figment has a particularly funny, favorite enrichment item:
a
burlap bag filled with flour. He throws it around and on himself and others
in a
white cloud of fun and mischief. He is the son of Inky and is very close
to her still,
acting as her protector now that he is getting larger. He is sure to grow
into a
handsome adult with the strength of his mother's character.