Chimpanzees are highly social animals, native to the tropical forests of central and west Africa. They’re arguably the world's smartest animal, and share over 98% of their genetic blueprint with humans. Because of this, many of them were plucked out of their tropical havens and placed in laboratories across the globe.
For years, chimpanzees have been subjected to testing, research and experiments. Until very recently, experimenting continued in the United States. After activists raised their voices for the rights of these great apes, testing has been on the decline. But after a lifetime in a lab, formerly captive chimpanzees can never return to the wild. To give them an opportunity to live out the remainder of their lives in peace, Chimp Haven was designated as the USA’s National Chimpanzee Sanctuary. Today it’s home to over 300 animals. Visit chimphaven.org for more information.
Up Next in Season 1
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Man Who Walks With Cheetahs
Cheetahs are the fastest animals on Earth. They’re built for speed and stealth. They can go days without eating, then take down an impala and devour it within a matter of hours. A human would stand no chance in the presence of this big cat. Except Kim Wolhuter – the man who walks among cheetahs. ...
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Thandi the Rhino by Adrian Steirn
In March 2012, the Kariega Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape of South Africa was targeted by poachers. Three rhinos were left for dead. All hope that there would be any survivors seemed lost. And yet, Thandi – the only female in the attack – made it. Her name means love, and it’s thanks to the tir...
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Numbats
They’re skittish, have a penchant for termites, and there’s fewer than 1 000 of them left. Numbats were once widespread across Australia. But today, the indigenous marsupials have all but disappeared from the country.
The two remaining wild populations of numbats live in the Dryandra Woodland and...
