FORT PIERCE — Like many retirees who relocate to Florida, the chimpanzees at Save the Chimps, the largest chimpanzee sanctuary in the world, are living out their golden years in the Florida sunshine.
Given their traumatic pasts in biomedical research, entertainment, and the pet trade, the respite is well deserved for the 267 chimpanzee residents at Save the Chimps in Ft. Pierce.
In order to provide these wonderful beings with a peaceful retirement at the sanctuary, Save the Chimps, a nonprofit organization funded solely from grants and donations, held its fourth annual Chimps Kitchen event in November.
More than 250 community and business leaders from throughout the Treasure Coast, along with animal lovers from across the country, packed Cobalt Restaurant at the Vero Beach Resort & Spa and helped to raise nearly $85,000 for the lifelong care of these rescued chimpanzees.
The funds raised will go towards completing the special needs facility for nearly a dozen chimpanzees at the sanctuary. These “special needs” chimpanzees have physical or emotional damage so severe that it makes it impossible for them to live in a large family group on one of the twelve 3.5 acre “islands in the sun” that consist of trees, hills, climbing structures, and a hurricane-proof building for shelter.
“We’re elated to have exceeded our fundraising goals and be able to complete the special needs project to help our most vulnerable chimpanzees,” said Phil Flynn, Executive Director of Save the Chimps.
“We also use the Chimps Kitchen event as an opportunity to raise awareness about our mission to provide and build support for the permanent sanctuary and lifelong care of chimpanzees rescued from research laboratories, entertainment, and the pet trade,” Flynn added.
Chimps Kitchen attendees enjoyed a delicious selection of beautifully presented hors d’oeuvres and chimp-inspired cocktails, banana daiquiris sponsored by Cruzan Banana Rum, and desserts created and donated by local celebrity chefs.
A rare element of the silent auction featured original paintings created by chimpanzee residents. Guests also swayed to the live music of Key of Life.
Celebrity chefs included:
Bobby’s – Chef Ronnie Adams
Cobalt – Chef Micheal Van Buskirk
Culinary Capers – Chef Dan Graham
Frosting – Pastry Chefs Ashlee & Ryan Wykoff
Costa d’Este – Chef Antonio Estremers
Windsor – Executive Chef Stephane Becht & Head Chef Brian Jones
Learn more about Save the Chimps by visiting their website at www.SaveTheChimps.org or their Facebook page at facebook.com/SaveTheChimps.