The Magical Moment Vanilla, 28-Year-Old Chimpanzee, Saw The Sky For The First Time

The laboratory is notorious among animal rights activists and has been labeled a "hellhole."

Stephanie

• Published in Interesting
• July 23, 2023

Spending life in captivity is a heartbreaking reality for countless animals. Many of which can go their whole lives without ever experiencing fresh air or sunlight.

Vanilla the chimpanzee is the perfect example of this. The 28-year-old chimp recently experienced her first taste of freedom after living her entire life in a biomedical research lab in New York.

Vanilla was kept under strict confinement and purposely separated from her mother. The laboratory is notorious among animal rights activists and has been labeled a "hellhole," with animals being deprived of sunlight and forced to spend their days in front of television screens.

But Vanilla's luck changed when she was relocated to a sanctuary in California. Her living conditions still weren't ideal, being confined in a cage without access to grass, but at least she was no longer subjected to experimentation.

When Vanilla and her sister were finally moved to the Save the Chimps sanctuary in Florida, their lives changed forever. Captured on video, the look on Vanilla's face as she saw the sky for the first time is magical.

Although Vanilla was hesitant at first to venture outside, alpha chimp Dwight offered her a hug of encouragement. According to Dan Mathews, Vanilla was "clearly elated to have suddenly found freedom."

The sweet chimp can be seen strolling around her new home, marveling at the grass and enjoying the fresh air. Vanilla has now settled in well at the sanctuary and has even started making new friends.

"Vanilla gets along with all 18 chimps on her island and shares a playful relationship with the alpha male Dwight, often snatching food from him," said a spokesperson for Save the Chimps.

"She seems elated to have her own world, finally experiencing the closest thing to a natural habitat," Dan Mathews. "She is embracing it."

Vanilla the 28-year-old chimp recently experienced her first taste of freedom after living her entire life in a biomedical research lab in New York.

The laboratory is notorious among animal rights activists and has been labeled a "hellhole," with animals being deprived of sunlight and forced to spend their days in front of television screens.

When Vanilla and her sister were finally moved to the Save the Chimps sanctuary in Florida, their lives changed forever.

Vanilla was "clearly elated to have suddenly found freedom."

You can watch the magical moment here:

According to the Save the Chimps team, Vanilla is thriving in her new home. She's enjoying every bit of her freedom and is even making new friends.

"She seems elated to have her own world, finally experiencing the closest thing to a natural habitat," Dan Mathews. "She is embracing it."

"Vanilla gets along with all 18 chimps on her island and shares a playful relationship with the alpha male Dwight, often snatching food from him," said a spokesperson for Save the Chimps. Sounds like Vanilla is in her element!

We're so happy for Vanilla and can't wait to see what the future holds for her. We hope she lives a long, healthy, and joyful life!

Stephanie