After spending 28 years confined, Vanilla the chimpanzee has finally experienced the open sky and freedom at a Florida sanctuary. A heartwarming video captures her emotional reaction as she steps outside for the first time, embracing another chimp and gazing in awe at the sky above. Previously, Vanilla lived in a research lab in New York and later a small enclosure in California, never having access to the outdoors.
Now residing at Save the Chimps sanctuary in Fort Pierce, Vanilla has joined a larger family group and enjoys a three-acre island where she can explore and socialize. The video shows the troop of chimps exploring their new environment, walking in a field, relaxing under shade, and grooming one another.
Vanilla's biography on the Save the Chimps website describes her joy at experiencing the open sky and her newfound freedom to choose how she spends her days. She expresses her delight in exploring the island and spending time with her chimp family. This heartwarming story coincides with Independence Day, highlighting the importance of freedom for all creatures, as noted by Save the Chimps CEO Ana Paula Tavares.
