Love for Lucky

Where do I begin when describing someone who means the world?

Lucky:

Prior to George’s arrival in May 2025, Lucky was our youngest chimpanzee resident. Lucky was born on November 6th, 1991 at the Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Surgery in Primates (LEMSIP).

Not a confirmed story, but a LEMSIP employee once said that Lucky was named “Lucky”, because she had a twin who didn’t survive birth, therefore Lucky was the “Lucky one”.

Lucky at LEMSIP in the nursery: 

Her mother was Sally and her father was Herbie. She is full siblings with alpha male, Cy, and half siblings with her bestie, Rayne, as well as Honey B.

Dora, Lucky, Cy (L to R):

Lucky lived at LEMSIP for about 5 years, until the laboratory closed down in 1996, sending Lucky and over 30 other chimpanzees to Wildlife Waystation (WW) in California. Lucky, among many of our other chimpanzee residents, lived at WW for the next couple decades until its closure in 2019. With WW’s closure, there was a huge task of finding new forever homes for many groups of chimpanzees, which led to the “Chimpanzees In Need” campaign, that people like Jane Goodall advocated for. Through the “Chimpanzees In Need” campaign, CSNW helped rescue Willy B, Honey B, and Mave in 2019, then Cy, Lucky, Gordo, Dora, Terry, and Rayne in June 2021.

The group of the “Lucky Six” advertised in the Chimps In Need campaign (top L-R: Cy, Dora, Gordo, bottom L-R: Lucky, Rayne, and Terry): 

Lucky is a low-ranking female in her chimpanzee group. However, with a very stable group and a gentle leader like her brother, Cy, it does not seem like Lucky cares about her low status. Lucky loves spending time with her best friend (and half sister), Rayne, who takes her under her wing. Lucky loves to groom her group members, as she is more of a groomer than a girl who wants to play all the time. Lucky is quiet and introverted. She is loyal, observant, and doesn’t care for drama. She only gets upset with others if they target her.

Lucky and Rayne’s friendship is one we don’t highlight nearly enough. They nest next to each other, sit next to each other at meals, groom with each other, explore The Bray together, and swap foods with each other. Something that really stood out to me was how protective Rayne was of Lucky during the George introduction. Rayne, Cy, and George were already living together for weeks beforehand. When it was time to finally add Lucky into the group (towards the end of the introduction), Rayne would make sure she was always nearby Lucky. If Lucky moved outside, so did Rayne. If Lucky went upstairs/downstairs, so did Rayne.

Lucky and Rayne in nests right next to each other, as they prefer: 

Lucky (L) and Rayne (R) out on The Bray together:

Lucky (L) and Rayne (R) grooming: 

Rayne and Lucky’s new fun way to travel:

Lucky is probably one of our least picky eaters at the sanctuary. She very rarely declines a vegetable. She also loves enrichment items, such as this peanut butter pinecone and gum!

Lucky working on a peanut butter pinecone for her evening enrichment: 

Lucky will savor gum for HOURS. Unlike Rayne, who already swallowed her gum. Most chimps swallow the gum right away, but not Lucky! 

Despite Lucky being introverted and preferring her alone time, she loves her people fiercely.

Lucky kisses the glass: 

When I started at CSNW four years ago, Lucky was the first chimp I connected with. On one of my first days, I walked by Lucky and when she saw me, she let out a big grunt, leading into a breathy pant, which is true Lucky fashion (check out the newest video at the top of today’s blog for an example of this). She still does it to this day when she first sees me. She will stop what she is doing and run over to say hello. I can always tell when she first spots me because I will hear her exaggerated grunt. When she is really excited to see someone, she also shakes her head back and forth, with her tongue out, while breathy panting. She truly gives the warmest welcomes ever.

A couple years ago, I got a portrait of Lucky tattooed on my arm. I feel deeply connected to her and now she will be with me forever!

Photo reference for the tattoo:

Lucky currently has 9 pals! Thank you so much to her current pals for the symbolic sponsorship. If you have fallen in love with sweet Lucky today, you can help send her into double digits! Become Lucky’s new pal here! Thank you so much for your support.