Six chimpanzees from the now-closed Wildlife Waystation in Sylmar found a new home this weekend.
The chimps were the latest animals transported from Wildlife Waystation since its closure in 2019. Almost 500 other animals, like lions and bears, have been moved, but other sanctuaries couldn’t take the chimps.
Erika Fleury with the North American Primate Sanctuary Alliance (NAPSA) told KNX that the six chimps were taken in by Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest.
“(It) is a NAPSA-member sanctuary that’s located in Washington state.” Fleury said. “They had already taken three of the Wildlife Waystation chimps back when it shut down in 2019.”
Permanent homes still need be to found for all of remaining 26 chimps still living at the defunct facility. Homes have been found for some of the chimps, but funds need to be raised to expand the host sanctuaries and get the remaining chimps there.
“While there are caregivers caring for the chimps right now, the funding for their current care could dry up at any time,” Fleury said.