FORT PIERCE, Fla. (CBS12) — They look playful, affectionate, even human—but the chimpanzees flooding social media are often on a path that leads not to loving homes, but to abandonment.
Staff at the Fort Pierce-based Save the Chimps sanctuary say online content is fueling a dangerous misconception that chimpanzees make suitable pets.
“They are misleading people to think that it’s ok to keep chimpanzees as pets, it’s not. They are wild beings and they should be in the wild,” says CEO Ana Paula Tavares.
The sanctuary currently houses over 200 chimpanzees rescued from the entertainment industry, private homes, and research labs.
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Experts warn that while young chimps may appear manageable, they hit puberty around age seven, becoming incredibly strong and unpredictable. This often leads to tragic outcomes, including dangerous attacks, abandonment, or the animal being killed.
At the sanctuary, the mission is to provide a second chance by mimicking a natural environment with minimal human interaction.
A team of 85 professionals and nearly 200 volunteers maintains the habitat, managing the massive task of feeding the apes 2,500 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables every day.
Supporter Sal Lauria notes that seeing the animals in person highlights the injustice of their past treatment:
When you have a tour of this place, and you meet them, you’re blown away how close they are to us and how unfair they were treated all these years. They gave so much to us we need to give back to them.
Save the Chimps relies on community support to continue its care, and those looking to help can find more information on the organization’s website.