Zulu

Resident

Rescued: 1998

Zulu is a former pet who came to the PRC from Georgia, along with Donald, Hazel, Victoria, and Debbie, who has since passed away. Known here as the “Dahlonega 5,” these chimpanzees were confined to a filthy concrete bunker once they were no longer safely able to live as “pets” in their owner’s home.

For more than a decade, these chimps had to make room for themselves by pushing newspaper bedding—along with years of their own waste—into piles that sometimes reached four feet high. They had no access to the outdoors, and lost both hair and muscle tone in these miserable conditions. Their food was inadequate and unhealthy, consisting mostly of highly processed, sugary carbohydrates. They rarely received fresh produce or foods rich in protein, essential aspects of a chimpanzee’s diet.

Zulu nevertheless retained an affinity for humans; she often sticks her lips through the bars of her enclosure, like a kiss, as a friendly gesture towards her caretakers. Along with her buddy Hazel, Zulu played an integral role in the introductions between the Dahlonega chimps and the seven youngsters from LEMSIP, a research laboratory affiliated with New York University that closed in the mid-1990s. She immediately took on a motherly role, bringing newcomers Rodney and Cory into her nest, as would a mother with her own offspring. And she continued to defend these juveniles during altercations—both would often run to her embrace at the first sign of stress among the group.

Zulu is still a matriarchal figure of sorts, often to her own detriment. Although the boys like to pester all the females, they know they can get away with picking on Zulu without her reprimanding them too much. She still holds a high position in the social hierarchy, especially since she has maintained close relationships with the young males. When our dominant male, Donald, is ready to relinquish his alpha role, we’re certain that Zulu will be instrumental in helping the next troop leader assume control.

Zulu has flourished at the PRC, but she still bears physical scars from her earlier days. Malnourished as an infant, and possibly a victim of rickets, her physical stature is small, her four limbs short and bowed. This doesn’t slow her down, however: she sprints to the breakfast feast in the playroom each morning, and races alongside Donald when someone needs disciplining.

A Gardening Birthday Party for Ike and Zulu

Check out the video of Ike's and Zulu's Birthday Gardening Party! Everyone had so much fun exploring all the enrichment items that our wonderful donors sent to help us give the chimps an engaging and enriching experience! It truly was a very happy (belated) birthday party for Ike and Zulu?❤️

Chimpmas Time is Here!

It’s that time again… The apes and monkeys have been good all year and are hoping that their Chimpmas wishes will come true! Everyone thought long and hard about what they would love most this year and we have put together their list here. Many of the items they...

Chimpmas Day Festivities Wrap Up

Thanks to our generous donors, Primate Pals and friends of the PRC who donated tons of toys, gifts and tasty snacks, the chimps and monkeys had an awesome time last month opening all of their presents on “Chimpmas” day.

Have a Very Merry Chimpmas!

It's our favorite time of year - Chimpmas is almost here! The chimps thought long and hard about what they wanted to ask for, and we have compiled their list here. Take a look at their wish lists, and maybe you can make a Chimpmas wish come true!

Happy World Chimpanzee Day!

Today is World Chimpanzee Day – a day to celebrate all chimpanzees, wild and captive. We want to spend today highlighting and honoring the nine chimpanzees who call the PRC home! Each chimp is a unique individual with their own likes, dislikes and interests, and we...

It All Adds Up

We recently launched our newest fundraiser on Facebook in hopes that all of our followers will take an active roll in providing sanctuary for the monkeys and apes at the PRC! It can be difficult to think about giving your hard earned cash to a charity, but we hope...

Eating Green

The Primate Rescue Center is surrounded by lush green landscape that provides a shaded and secluded setting. Not only does this provide a peaceful sanctuary home for the residents, it offers access to lots of yummy browse for their diet! The bulk of the primates...

Sharing the Love

Happy Valentine’s Day! At the Primate Rescue Center, we are so fortunate to have supporters who show us love. Whether it’s by sharing our social media posts, donating to our fundraisers or sending goodies for the primates – we feel the love! We are so grateful and...

Gobble, Shop, GIVE!

The Primate Rescue Center receives no direct funding from the government. We rely on donations from passionate individuals to support the apes and monkeys in our care! Like many non-profits, we make the majority of our yearly budget in the last 6 weeks of the...