Sometime in 1959, somewhere in Africa, Annie was stolen from her family to be sold into the circus.  She later went to the Primate Foundation of Arizona (PFA), which was originally a sanctuary.  This so-called sanctuary fell on hard times and leased Annie to a research facility: LEMSIP.  In 1976, she became Ch-272.  In 21 years, she served in two studies.  She was at other times a “breeder” – the first successfully artificially inseminated chimpanzee at LEMSIP.  Most of those 21 years, however, were spent treating cuts to her sex skin – wounds inflicted during knockdowns, severe weight loss, and anorexia.  PFA gave up all rights and responsibilities of Annie to LEMSIP but the result of Annie’s artificial insemination, her daughter Wotoni, now lives at PFA. Eventually, Annie found a home at the Fauna Foundation, but her body wasn’t able to fully recover from the damage inflicted on her in the lab. Annie died on January 13, 2002 at the age of 42.

Date of birth:    May 13th 1959  - January 10th 2002
Aka:

Social Status:    High ranking, had the role of matriarch, Annie  could enter any social situation and live in any  group peaceably.

Eulogy: Annie left us on January 10, 2002, at age 43.

Annie’s death three months after Pablo’s was more than anyone of us could bear. Annie’s death was sudden and very painful.

She was one of the kindest and bravest chimpanzees at Fauna – a true alpha female. Her work and her teachings are practiced everyday at Fauna, by the chimpanzee family she left behind and by her human family.

Annie was loved and respected. She taught us all so very much. She was relentless with her disciplinary actions, never tolerating the bad behaviors of the youngsters, or any disrespect from her close friends. She taught every one of us valuable chimpanzee social skills -- skills that help us all to this day.

Annie was like a mother to Jethro, Regis, Binky, Chance, Rachel and Petra.  She was a friend, leader and support to Sue Ellen, Pepper, and Jeannie; a loyal and understanding friend to Tom and Pablo; and a tough teacher to Yoko and Billy.   

One of the most beautiful relationships to witness was the one she shared with her nearest and dearest friend and soul mate, Donna Rae. They were inseparable and deeply connected. Their relationship was a great lesson in the bonds shared between friends. Annie was incredibly close to the Grow  family -- she just knew we were all family and she always loved everyone of us around her.

Annie is always missed, always thought of, always remembered and forever admired. We were so very lucky to be loved by her and to have the honor of knowing and loving her.

She will forever be our dear friend, our teacher, and our leader. Annie may not be here with us physically, but as the true matriarch of the Fauna family, she will always be with us in our heart and soul.