Fat Tuesday at Chimp Haven, See Chimps Celebrate with King Cake and Daiquiris

If you’re like me and feeling a little bit of that "post-Carnival blue" today, I have the absolute best cure for you.

While we were all out on the parade routes catching beads and probably eating way too much fried food, some of our favorite neighbors were having a full-blown Cajun celebration of their own!

Did you know that right here in our backyard, we boast the largest chimpanzee sanctuary in the world?

Chimp Haven is home to nearly 300 chimps who were formerly used in biomedical research. Now, they spend their days on 200 acres of gorgeous, forested sanctuary in Keithville, finally getting to just "be chimps." But since they live in the great Bayou State, you know they had to get in on the Mardi Gras goodness!

Just look at these photos! Is there anything better than seeing Gracie’s group absolutely going to town on "chimp-approved" King Cake?

I’m obsessed with the fact that their dedicated care team even whipped up frozen "daiquiris" for them to enjoy. It proves that in Louisiana, everyone gets the full Mardi Gras experience, even the primates It’s retirement done right, and it honestly makes my heart so happy to see these smart, soulful animals living their best lives.

But the party doesn’t have to end just because Fat Tuesday is over. The crew at Chimp Haven is looking for a little post-Carnival love from the community, and it’s a super easy way to help. Chimp Haven wants your children's books. 

If you have any old children's books lying around the house, Chimp Haven would love to take them off your hands.

Here’s the deal: They need the donations to arrive by February 25th. You can clear out those bookshelves and mail them directly to:

Chimp Haven Attn: Behavior Department 13600 Chimpanzee Place, Keithville, LA 71047

Let’s help these chimps keep the party going all year long!