News - GAP Project

News

posted in 09 Nov 2025

The social integration process of #chimpYoko has advanced!

After a little more than seven months since his arrival and ongoing observation of his general condition and behavior, the team at the Great Apes Sanctuary of Sorocaba, São Paulo, Brazil, successfully carried out an internal transfer to a new enclosure.

Residents' Stories Yoko

posted in 04 Nov 2025

Chimpanzees change their minds based on evidence, demonstrating, like us, rational thinking

New study shows that chimpanzees have the ability to change their minds and make new choices according to the evidence experienced. This ability is the basis of what we can call rational thinking – which until now was classified as a distinctive characteristic of human beings.

posted in 18 Oct 2025

The Wound of Forgetfulness

It is incomprehensible, and at the same time revealing, that in the 21st century—when science has proven beyond any doubt the genetic, cognitive and emotional closeness we share with the great apes—we still relegate them to the silence of forgetfulness.

posted in 01 Oct 2025

Rest in Peace, Dr. Jane Goodall (1934-2025)

Today we are faced with the sad news of the passing of British primatologist Jane Goodall, one of the greatest global references in the study of chimpanzee behavior and sociality. She also helped encourage the creation of the Great Apes Project - GAP, signing a chapter in the book that gave rise to the international…

posted in 10 Sep 2025

Overcoming difficulties

Chimpanzee Jeber was castrated and had all his teeth pulled out in the circus where he lived. Because of this, he developed an unusual way of eating certain things. For example, to eat coconut, he uses his fingers to pull pieces out, since he cannot bite.

Residents' Stories Jeber

posted in 08 Sep 2025

Companionship that heals

Chimps Caco and Jully are inseparable companions and an inspiring example of the transformative potential of socialization in a Sanctuary. Twenty three years ago, They found each other, complemented one another, and discovered their balance to live the peace and respect they always deserved.

Residents' Stories Caco

posted in 15 Aug 2025

Sierra Leone chimp refuge shuts doors to tourists to protest deforestation

With a 30-year history, the sanctuary is one of the largest in Africa and is home to more than 100 chimpanzees, victims of illegal capture and trafficking. A significant portion of its revenue comes from visits, but a few months ago these were suspended to protest against the increasing rates of deforestation in the region.

posted in 04 Aug 2025

Europe: GAP Spain denounces the killing of 12 baboons at the Nuremberg zoo and demands an end to captive breeding

Last week, the press and various social media channels reported the decision of the German zoo to euthanize 12 baboons due to a lack of space to keep them. GAP Spain reinforces the denunciation and the absurdity of the situation.

posted in 18 Jul 2025

Cecília and her new partner, Rakker

In June of this year, the team at the Great Apes Sanctuary of Sorocaba evaluated the possibility of interaction between Cecília (Argentina) and Rakker, and the experience has been successful. The two have been living together in harmony since then.

Residents' Stories Cecília (Argentina)

posted in 05 May 2025

Challenges Foreseen for Yoko’s Socialization

The quarantine of the chimpanzee Yoko has been completed, and the team anticipates challenges in his integration with other chimpanzees due to his highly humanized profile. Despite this, the Sanctuary is very pleased and optimistic about his excellent adaptation.

Residents' Stories Yoko

posted in 25 Apr 2025

Facial touch contributes to the social development of human and chimpanzee infants

Recent article published in the scientific journal Animal Cognition documented facial touches of human and chimpanzee babies on other individuals. Different groups were observed to verify the importance of social touch in offsprings' development.

posted in 11 Apr 2025

Adaptation and Challenges

Yoko has passed the halfway mark of his quarantine and the main expectation revolves around how he will react when given the opportunity to interact with another chimpanzee at close range.

Residents' Stories Yoko

posted in 04 Apr 2025

Bonobos use a kind of syntax once thought to be unique to humans

The way bonobos combine vocal sounds to create new meanings suggests the evolutionary building blocks of human language are shared with our closest relatives. “It’s the first time in any animal species that there is an unambiguous evidence for non-trivial syntax, non-trivial compositionality, and so that changes the game,” says researcher Maël Leroux.

posted in 24 Mar 2025

Chimpanzee Yoko travels from Colombia and arrives at his new home, the Great Apes Sanctuary of Sorocaba, SP, Brazil

After months of documentation procedures and two days of travel, Yoko, a 38-year-old chimpanzee, finally arrives in Brazil on Monday, March 24, 2025. He will be a new resident of the Great Apes Sanctuary of Sorocaba, São Paulo, Brazil, affiliated with the GAP Project. Yoko was the last remaining chimpanzee at Bioparque Ukumari in Pereira,…

posted in 06 Mar 2025

Nega and Pinho: life together at the Sanctuary

We remember with love Nega (born in 1977, first photo) and Pinho (born in 1985, second photo). Both lived for many years in the famous Garcia circus, "working" in the performances. However, they were kept in separate cages.

Residents' Stories Pinho

The GAP Project

GAP is an international movement whose main objective is to fight for the basic rights to life, liberty and non-torture of non-human great apes - Chimpanzees, Gorillas, Orangutans and Bonobos, our closest relatives in the animal kingdom.

Development and Hosting

GetShop Gestão Tecnologica - Projetando Resultados Com Tecnologia