News from Primarily Primates

Who’s That New Chimpanzee – Curious George? No, It’s Buck!

Update from Priscilla Feral , President

Buck was born on the 15th of September 1994, to be kept as one of three chimpanzee pets in a Missouri home. Buck did a lot of things no chimpanzee born free in Africa would have ever done: live inside a house. Receive drinks of beer.

As the couple that owned Buck aged, it became apparent that Buck would outlive them—and it became terribly expensive to keep three mature chimpanzees, especially when it turned out—well, is it any surprise that full-grown chimpanzees will beat up on each other in close quarters?—Buck had to be separated from the others.

One of the owners contacted Primarily Primates in March 2009, desperate to find out if the refuge could accept Buck. After the owner agreed to send some money with Buck—to help pay for initial vet checks, a vasectomy and basic care— travel arrangements were made. On the 13th of April 2009, Buck arrived in San Antonio , and the sanctuary’s staff and veterinarian Dr. Val Kirk were on hand to ensure Buck safely returned to consciousness.

When I saw Buck the next day, he wasn’t much interested in fruits and vegetables, and we found it would take more time for Buck to learn about mangoes, greens, melons, oranges and other fruits and vegetables. Stephen bought strawberries, thinking sweet fruit could help the adjustment.

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News Release

The sanctuary Primarily Primates continues to grow strong despite an attempt by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals to destroy it.

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Welcome to Primarily Primates, Buck!

Buck was born on the 15th of September 1994, to be kept as one of three chimpanzee pets in a Missouri house.

As the couple that owned Buck aged, it became apparent that Buck would outlive them — and it became terribly expensive to keep three mature chimpanzees in a house.

One of the owners contacted Primarily Primates, Inc. in early 2009 to find out if the refuge could accept Buck. After the owner agreed to send some money with Buck — to help pay for initial vet checks, a vasectomy, and basic care — travel arrangements were made. On the 20th of April 2009, Buck arrived in San Antonio. PPI president Priscilla Feral and director Stephen Tello were on hand with the sanctuary’s veterinarian, Dr. Val Kirk, to ensure Buck safely returned to consciousness, and thank goodness all went well. 

At first, Buck wouldn’t eat. Buck was not much interested in fruits and vegetables. When Danny, a caregiver, offered lettuce, other greens and broccoli, Buck handed them back.

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Birds Spread Their Wings At Their New Home

For 47 birds—ten conures, 31 cockatiels and six ring-neck doves—this new year is looking a lot brighter. All of them came to live in Primarily Primates’ state-of-the-art aviaries on December 24, 2008.

The birds arrived from a California sanctuary that’s been hit hard by the economic crisis, forcing the closing of its aviary doors.

Primarily Primates’ aviaries have all been renovated; the settings are very large and natural, with lots of open space and room for birds to fly freely. They range in size from 12 x 10 x 40-foot for the smaller birds to 60 x 20 x 100-foot for the larger ones, featuring branches and trees for perching and spacious indoor sleeping spaces. The enclosures offer exposure to warm sunlight and protection from the elements. Here they will enjoy a naturalistic habitat shared with members of their own species.

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