Central Students Still Working With Chimpanzees

Central Washington University’s (CWU) primate behavior and ecology (PBE) academic programs are thriving despite the relocation of chimpanzees Tatu and Loulis to a sanctuary in Montreal.

Anthropology Professor Lori Sheeran says there are lots of opportunities for students now that CWU and Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest (CSN) in Cle Elum have signed a memorandum of understanding that allows Central students to receive credits while being trained at their facility. CSN is home to seven chimpanzees.

Sheeran says, “as soon as knew the chimps were leaving the director of the CSN reached out and asked what they could do to help fill the hole in the curriculum.”

The sanctuary in Cle Elum is the closest facility other than the Woodland Park Zoo for students to get hands on study.