Chimp Haven Opens To Eager Public - KSLA News 12 Shreveport, Louisiana News Weather & Sports

CADDO PARISH, LA

Chimp Haven Opens To Eager Public

     After 10 years and $10 million, the general public got its first look at Chimp Haven.
     Friday's invitation only ribbon cutting ceremony gave way to the public today for the 200 acre sanctuary in south Caddo Parish.
     Chimp Haven is a permanent home for 31 chimpanzees retired from biomedical research, entertainment, or no longer wanted as pets.
     Folks got to see how the chimps live and interact in their new habitat. "It's just neat to watch them, they're just like us," said visitor Paulette Lorance. "One of them gathered all the food she could, she eats a lot, she's very big. It was just neat to watch them interact and just watch their mannerisms."
      The group of 31 will be joined by more than 100 chimpanzees in the coming year, pending completion of the second phase of construction.
     Ultimately, the sanctuary will host a total of 200.
     Chimp Haven will remain open to visitors but you'll have to call ahead and make reservations for any future visits.