Born by caesarian section to a Hepatitis B positive mother, Chance had a 50/50 chance of being born Hepatitis B positive.

Fortunately she wasn't but it didn't save her from years in isolation. For her first 5 years Ch-442 lived completely alone with no chimpanzee companions and little human contact.

In 14 years, Chance participated in 4 studies; her last 6 years in the lab she wasn't used at all.

Too neurotic and aggressive, Chance would bite her fingers, pull her hair out and slap herself continually.

In the month following her last study, Chance was treated for severe diarrhea, dehydration and weight loss. Using her again may have resulted in her death.

Date of birth: September 13, 1983.
 
Aka: Chancie, Chancie Pants, Pretty Girl

Personality: Chance is extremely sensitive and very nervous. Her years of isolation and betrayal have left her quite scarred.  She is afraid of change and is extremely stressed by it, even if it is a positive change in her environment. She needs a lot of reassurance and support.

Chance had quite a reputation when she moved to Fauna. She was reputed as being very aggressive. In actuality, one of her biggest problems is fear, which, of course, can look like anger or a nasty personality.

In the lab, Chance was very misunderstood. So many times it looks as if she wants to poke at you or spit, when all she really wants is to be noticed and acknowledged. Once you get that with Chance, she will relax and be very sweet and loving.

Because she is so nervous, she will often end up screaming when any sign of trouble appears -- even screaming when another chimpanzee just enters her room. Her screaming can upset all of those around her which keeps her own stress and anxiety elevated. It can be so difficult for her that it even appears as if she is having a kind of breakdown. These outbursts look like an over reaction, but considering her history and the terrible things that those she loved did to her, they are easy to understand.

Chance was a loner for her first years at Fauna and often can still be found alone in a room by her choice. She knows how to close doors behind her to lock the others out, which she does regularly. She is someone who could be described as: extremely institutionalized; nervous when in big open places; uncomfortable for long periods of time in a group; and, preferring to stay close to an area where she can isolate herself.

Chance has a lot of friends and a half sister at Fauna, Petra. She can be a very social chimpanzee when she needs to be, but can also participate in fights against the others. Sometimes she really does not think about the outcome, getting herself into some very nerve wracking situations, unlike a more socially savvy chimp who would never participate in a fight or a challenge without looking around to see who will be involved and what could be the punishment.

Chance does not seem able to think it all through, and so often has ended up in silly fights with some of her dearest friends. It leads to a lot of anxiety for her or to days on her own working up the courage to go back to her family.

As part of her social problems, Chance can sometimes be a little sassy, not respecting the older, higher ranking residents. And, she does not always have much of a sense of humor, and so reacts and gets stressed, which  has gotten her into some bad situations.

Over the years, she has without a doubt become much more sensible,  learning a lot of chimpanzee social skills. She has been helped by so many of the other residents who understand her personality and its challenges.

The social skills she has learned here at Fauna were taught to her mainly by Annie, then Petra, Regis and Jethro. They have helped her become a wonderful asset to any group here at Fauna. Now, she is most often welcomed into any situation with any combination of chimpanzees. (The chimpanzees at Fauna do not live in a big social group, rather, the groups change weekly or daily depending on the dynamics).

Chance has also become really good at choosing what group she wants to live with at different times. This is wonderful because she can have very special interactions and lovely days with her chosen friends. Choosing with whom you want to live is a much more natural way of living for a chimpanzee. Being forced to live in a group for the rest of your life without reprieve is very difficult to imagine. Most of the Fauna chimpanzees have become very able to make group choices for themselves, despite their histories of loss and solitary caging. Chance has become someone with this important skill that contributes to her quality of life.
Social Status:    Position changes depending on the group; in some, Chance is low ranking, in others, she is accepted, treated with respect and feels confident.  Chance is easy to work with because she is so intelligent and avoids battles, prefers peace and tranquility.

Favorite Activities: Because Chance does like to be alone a lot, she has found great ways to occupy her time. She especially loves being in a nice clean room, lying on the heated floor on her back, holding her feet in her hands. If all is well at this time, Chances offers one of her lovely long toes through the bars to be touched.

A particular favorite of Chance’s activities, like that of many others at Fauna, is to sit in group grooming sessions. Chance loves to groom others and totally enjoys being groomed herself. When Chance is alone in a room and grooming herself, she loves to show her human friends any scratches, bumps or wounds she might have. Chimpanzees can have little scratches or bumps from another individual getting a little too involved and “over grooming” them.  It is special when someone like Chance, typically so nervous and frightened, invites you to have a closer look. It reminds us of how much she has progressed to actually lift her hair for us to see an injury or to let us clean it and put on medication. Her steps towards trusting again are huge and inspirational.

Chance is a very concerned soul, always interested in the troubles of others. She can be very supportive when someone is in need. She is like the friend you want to call when something is going wrong, because she will always be there for you, with a hug. We have often seen Chance lying with a stuffed toy on her tummy or in her arms. It is easy to imagine how she would have been a loving mother.

Chance can be very playful and likes to hide her head with a sheet and play peek a boo with her close chimpanzee or human friends lucky enough to be engaged to play this game with her. She can get so happy that she slaps her feet and claps her hands in an effort to get you to play her other favorite game: hockey. (She is now in Canada, after all!)  She flings an object across the floor waiting for you to slide it back under the caging. Chance catches it and slides it again. She adores this game, especially if you cheer with each “score.” She will play for as long as you will.

Chance is a water baby who adores water from the hose and creatively finds a lot of things to do with water. Her favorite: getting her hands all wet and then sucking the water off of them.   Her other games include smacking each other gently on the head or back game. It is pretty cute to watch when Chance, for example, gently bops Sue Ellen on the head. Sue Ellen looks like it is fun -- for the first three bops. Then Chance bops again and again until Sue Ellen gets really angry. Then Chance starts to scream. Then Sue Ellen screams. Then they end up hugging each other. End of game. It is sort of how the hide – your -- head under -- the-- sheet game goes as well!
 

Chance adores the outdoors and has spent hours sitting in the warm sun, or lying on a wooden bench. She even loves the rain, especially gentle summer rain which covers her with a light mist and makes her wriggle around enjoying the sensation. Then, if you pass her a towel, she dries herself off.

A very unique and beautiful chimpanzee, Chance is different from the other residents. Her hair color is much lighter, almost silver. She sparkles in the sun and is aware of how stunning she is. This could be one of her favorite activities, being told over and over again just how beautiful she is.

From the tiny, hairless, extremely frightened and insecure 13 year old little teenager she was when she moved to Fauna in 1997, she has become a beautiful, much more confident and outgoing young adult. We are proud of her accomplishments.

Favorite Foods: Fruit, fruit and more fruit -- especially melon, cantaloupe, grapes, mangos, and anything juicy. Chance loves cooked meals too, enjoying cooked beets, turnip and carrots. Raisin bread and hot tea are another huge favorite. Chance loves the challenge of using a teaspoon to sip a nice hot cup of tea.
 

She loves smoothies, fruit cups, applesauce and soy yogurt with berries. She savors her food, taking a lot of time to eat what is in front of her. She often waits for quiet time to eat alone in a room, after everyone has taken what they want.

She finally understands that you do not have to fight or get upset when you see someone take your favorite food off the trolley because someone will be sure to bring you what you want.  Chance is a great party chimpanzee. She loves special events and gets very excited, hugging everyone around, happy to share all that is available.