Near Keithville, Chimp Haven Makes More Room for the “Chimp Life”
Some of Northwest Louisiana’s most interesting residents spend their days climbing ropes, searching for hidden treats, lounging with friends and occasionally making it very clear that a particular toy belongs to them.
They live at Chimp Haven.
Tucked into 200 forested acres near Keithville, Chimp Haven is the world’s largest chimpanzee sanctuary. Nearly 300 chimpanzees call it home, many after spending years in biomedical research.
That would be an extraordinary institution anywhere. The fact that it is right here in Caddo Parish makes it one of those local stories we may not brag about nearly enough.
And now, the chimps have even more room to live the “Chimp Life.”
Chimp Haven completed a major habitat expansion in July 2026, adding a 12-bedroom wing with approximately 3,500 square feet of indoor space. The project also created four outdoor play yards totaling roughly 14,000 square feet.
The first residents have already moved in—and they apparently did not need much time to make themselves comfortable.
According to the National Anti-Vivisection Society, Al and Kamaka were among the first chimpanzees to explore the new addition. Both are in their 50s and arrived at Chimp Haven in 2025 after spending decades under government ownership.
Al surprised his caregivers by taking an immediate interest in the new climbing structures. Inside, he discovered a thick ship’s rope that he now uses to swing his famously long legs.
Zoe prefers using the rope for support while sitting. Tabu has claimed a lounging box as a favorite resting spot. Roxanne, meanwhile, has reportedly decided that one of the large enrichment balls belongs to her.
Honestly, that sounds less like a wildlife sanctuary and more like any family settling into a new house. Everyone quickly finds a favorite chair—and somebody always takes possession of something that was supposed to be shared.
More Than Extra Square Footage
The expansion is impressive by the numbers, but the real story is what the additional space allows Chimp Haven’s caregivers to do.
Chimpanzees are highly social animals that live in family groups. Their relationships, personalities and health needs can be complicated. Caregivers may need to introduce a chimpanzee to a new group, provide extra support following medical treatment or adjust an environment as a resident grows older.
More bedrooms and outdoor areas give the care team greater flexibility to meet those changing needs.
The new spaces include air-conditioned bedrooms, hammocks, ropes, climbing equipment, foraging devices and large enrichment items. Special supports were added to some climbing structures to help older chimpanzees and those with limited mobility move around more comfortably.
Indoor and outdoor cameras allow caregivers to observe the animals and respond when needed. A built-in power-washing system helps with the less glamorous—but very necessary—job of keeping everything clean.
This is a home designed not simply to contain chimpanzees, but to help them remain active, curious and socially connected.
Why Choice Matters
One of the most important features of the expansion cannot be measured in square feet.
It is choice.
At a sanctuary, quality of life involves more than providing food, shelter and medical care. It also means giving each chimpanzee opportunities to decide how to spend the day.
Climb or stay on the ground? Explore outside or relax indoors? Search for food, play with an object or sit with a groupmate?
Those may sound like small decisions, but for animals that spent much of their earlier lives with very little control over their surroundings, they matter.
The new spaces provide more opportunities for movement, problem-solving, social interaction, play and rest. They also allow individual personalities to emerge—which is how we end up with Al swinging from a rope and Roxanne laying claim to the neighborhood ball.
A $5.6 Million Investment in Their Future
According to a report from the Bossier Press-Tribune, the project was made possible by more than $5.6 million in private support.
That included a lead gift established in 2024 by the Annenberg Foundation, along with support from the Grace Charitable Foundation, the American Anti-Vivisection Society and other donors.
Chimp Haven receives partial federal funding for the care of federally owned chimpanzees, but major construction projects such as this expansion depend on private contributions.
Behind the finished habitats were years of fundraising, planning, design and construction. Building for chimpanzees is not exactly the same as adding a sunroom to the house. Every element must account for the animals’ strength, intelligence, social behavior, safety and long-term health.
The result is a highly specialized facility supported by veterinarians, behavioral experts, animal caregivers, maintenance professionals, nonprofit leaders and donors.
A Remarkable Northwest Louisiana Story
This is not the usual economic-development announcement. There is no new factory, retail center or subdivision involved.
Its value to our region is different.
Chimp Haven gives Northwest Louisiana an internationally important institution with a national mission. It brings specialized animal care, veterinary medicine, research knowledge, nonprofit leadership and philanthropy together on a forested campus just outside Shreveport.
It also gives us a wonderful story to tell.
We sometimes assume the most remarkable things are happening in larger cities or faraway places. Meanwhile, near Keithville, hundreds of chimpanzees are living in large social groups, receiving individualized care and exploring habitats designed specifically for their comfort and well-being.
The expansion cannot erase what Al, Kamaka and many of the other residents experienced before arriving at Chimp Haven.
It can give them more room to climb, forage, play, rest and spend time with their families. Most importantly, it can give them more control over how they live each day.
That is the “Chimp Life.”
And it is a pretty extraordinary thing to have in our own backyard.