Matt
In 1997, the chimpanzee Vanilla said goodbye to the Laboratory for Experimental Medicine and Surgery in Primates (LEMSIP) located in New York. Along with a group of chimpanzees, Vanilla was transported to a sanctuary in California, where she resided for several years. Unfortunately, in 2019, the sanctuary faced an imminent threat as wildfires raged nearby, leading to its closure.
Determined to secure a better future for Vanilla and her companions, the sanctuary staff orchestrated a relocation plan to Save the Chimps sanctuary in Florida. This initiative was successfully carried out last year, providing Vanilla with the opportunity to embark on an extraordinary journey.
Before her liberation, Vanilla was confined to a cage every day. The arid environment, devoid of grass and other natural elements, offered her no respite. However, a moment of wonder awaited Vanilla during her expedition to Florida.
The clip shared by Save the Chimps captures the transformative experience that Vanilla had upon her arrival at the sanctuary. In the video, she can be seen embracing Dwight, an alpha male, while her eyes are fixed on the vast expanse of the sky. With a profound sense of wonder, Vanilla gazes at the limitless skies, her eyes wide open, and a radiant smile on her face.
Vanilla is now thriving in her new home, an island sanctuary that welcomes her and 220 other chimpanzees who have been rescued from laboratories, the exotic animal trade, the entertainment industry, and zoos. For many of these residents, the island marks their first encounter with their own species after long periods of isolation.
The sanctuary provides a safe and natural environment for these chimpanzees to live freely and interact with each other, promoting socialization, enrichment, and overall well-being. It is a place where they can finally experience a life closer to what they would have had in the wild, fostering a sense of community and allowing them to form bonds with their fellow chimpanzees.
Despite showing some hesitation in exploring her new paradise, Vanilla found comfort at the top of a three-story climbing platform. From this vantage point, she observes the vastness of her environment, savoring the beauty and tranquility that now surround her. It’s heartwarming to see Vanilla gradually embrace her newfound freedom and enjoy the natural wonders of her sanctuary home.
During her adaptation, Vanilla’s endearing nature shines through. Her harmonious interactions with the other chimpanzees on the island have fostered an adorable camaraderie. Vanilla especially shares a playful bond with Dwight, often mischievously stealing pieces of food from him.
