Pennsylvania chimps moving to sanctuary near Cle Elum

CLE ELUM — A new sanctuary for chimpanzees near Cle Elum is preparing to welcome its first seven residents next spring.

The nonprofit Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest says six females and one male will move from the Buckshire Corporation laboratory in Perkasie, Pennsylvania, into an 18,000-cubic foot indoor facility.

The chimps — Annie, Burreto, Foxy, Jamie, Jody, Missy and Negra — range in age from 24 to 34. They could live up to 60 years of age in the sanctuary.

They have been used for breeding and vaccine drug tests.