YERKES NATIONAL PRIMATE RESEARCH CENTER

The Yerkes National Primate Research Center (YNPRC) is affiliated with Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.  It is the oldest colony of chimpanzees in the country.  For the early history see The First 100 chimpanzee website. YNPRC currently holds 85 chimpanzees at two sites, the main center in Atlanta and the field station in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Though programs at the YNPRC are supported by an NIH Base Grant YNPRC claims that it does not use any core funds from NIH to support the costs for maintaining humane care and welfare of chimpanzees. 

Summer 2015 UPDATE:  In June, Amanda, Artemus, Brandy, Katrina, Ranette, Scott, and Shirley were transferred from Yerkes to the Chattanooga Zoo. This was the first of a plan to transfer the Yerkes chimpanzees to zoos rather than sanctuaries.

Fall 2016 UPDATE:  Agatha, Elvira, Faye, Fritz, Lucas, Tara and Georgia were transfered to Wingham Wildlife Park in the UK. 

Summer 2017 UPDATE:  There are 47 chimpanzees remaining in the Yerkes Colony.

Summer 2018 UPDATE:  There are 46 chimpanzees remaining in the Yerkes Colony.

Fall 2019 UPDATE:  There are 39 chimpanzees remaining at Yerkes.  In May 2019, Steward, Christa, Jewelle, Frannie, and Rebecca were transferred to the Riverside Discovery Center.  As of this date, Yerkes has transferred 19 chimpanzees to zoos.

Fall 2022 UPDATE: In May, Daisey, Julianne, Missy, Pericles and Suwannee were transfered to the Oregon Zoo, bringing the number of chimpanzees transferred to zoos to 24.

Fall 2024 UPDATE:  In May, Arthur, Cathy, Dara, Dona, Drew, Evelyne, Fiona, Liza, Rita, Rowena, and Winston were transferred to the Indianiapolis Zoo, bringing the number of chimpanzees tranferred from Yerkes to zoos to 35.