PEOPLE & CULTURE

By FedEx | First published: August 22, 2022  Updated: June 23, 2026

When seven chimpanzees were stranded in California, FedEx teamed up with Save the Chimps to transport them to their forever home in Florida. Here’s how we flew these precious animals over 4,000 km across the US.

• As part of FedEx Cares, our Delivering for Good initiative contributes to meaningful causes through humanitarian logistics – from providing emergency relief aid to rehoming endangered wildlife. 
• To support the emergency relocation of seven chimpanzees, Save the Chimps reached out to FedEx for animal transport services.
• With FedEx’s wildlife transport expertise and air shipping network, the seven chimps arrived safely and are now thriving in their new home.

What’s the strangest thing you can imagine being shipped? If live crocodiles, T-Rex bones, or the tiger shark featured in “Jaws” came to mind, you’re on the right track. Over more than 50 years of operations, FedEx has transported a range of extraordinary cargo in every shape, size, and even species.

Many of our most unusual shipments have taken place through FedEx Cares, our global community engagement program. As part of our Delivering for Good initiative, we lend our global network and logistics expertise to organizations with mission-critical needs. 

From moving cultural artifacts to rehoming endangered species, our commitment to humanitarian logistics allows us to make a positive impact on global communities. And in one memorable instance, these efforts helped seven chimpanzees begin a new chapter in a loving home.

Providing primate transport for the “Sunrise Seven”

When California-based animal refuge Wildlife Waystation closed in 2019, more than 450 animals needed relocation to new homes. Among these were 42 chimpanzees, many of whom had been rescued from biomedical research facilities or the entertainment industry.

With very few accredited sanctuaries capable of handling chimps, it was challenging to find them a home that could support their specialized needs. Over time, all the animals from Wildlife Waystation were safely relocated – except for seven chimpanzees dubbed the “Sunrise Seven”.

Enter Save the Chimps, one of the world’s largest chimpanzee sanctuaries. Located in Florida, the 150-acre sanctuary is home to over 220 chimpanzees, who live in large family groups across 12 separate islands. For chimpanzees that had previously lived in confined conditions, the refuge offers the freedom to roam outdoors, socialize with others, and enjoy lifelong care.

To reach the sanctuary, Save the Chimps needed to transport the seven primates – consisting of a family of five and two bachelors – more than 4,000 km across the country. Given FedEx’s expertise in wildlife transport and animal welfare in transit, Save the Chimps contacted us to support the relocation.

Home at last

Cross-country wildlife transport presented significant logistical challenges, relying on close collaboration across multiple organizations to ensure the chimpanzees’ safety.

The North American Primate Sanctuary Alliance (NAPSA) coordinated the urgent transfer in conjunction with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, which was involved in overseeing the closure of the Wildlife Waystation. Through its emergency fundraiser Chimpanzees in Need, NAPSA raised over USD 4.7 million to help rehome the Sunrise Seven and dozens of other chimps.

The rescue began with the Save the Chimps team driving from Florida to California, carrying transfer boxes customized to meet air transport safety standards for the chimps. Next, FedEx flew them from Los Angeles to Orlando via Memphis. Finally, they were transported in a climate-controlled truck donated by Pero Family Farms to Fort Pierce, Florida.

The Sunrise Seven – Vanilla, Shake, Cayleb, Ernesta, Jacob, Jeff, and Magic – all arrived safely. After a two-month mandatory quarantine, they joined other chimpanzees on one of the islands and soon settled in.

“The chimps are adjusting very well to their new home and have already made plenty of friends,” reported Ana Paula Tavares, the CEO of Save the Chimps. “We salute FedEx and Pero Family Farms for their help in this emergency rescue. These magnificent chimpanzees, our closest relatives in the animal world, deserve to live in a safe place where they can thrive.”

“We are grateful for the dedication and generosity of the donors, foundations, and corporations like FedEx that have made this rescue possible,” added Erika Fleury, the program director of NAPSA. “These chimpanzees have experienced much turmoil in their lives, and they finally will have much brighter days ahead, thanks to Save the Chimps.”

Delivering positive change with humanitarian logistics

At FedEx, transporting wild animals is part and parcel of our charitable initiatives. Over the years, we’ve moved many endangered animals across borders for conservation and emergency medical treatment, including giant pandas, white tigers, dolphins, and more.

Through our Delivering for Good program, we’re proud to donate our animal transport services to support wildlife in need. By helping animals like the Sunrise Seven reach safety and proper care, we’re doing our part to build a more compassionate and connected world.

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To learn more about how we support charitable causes through humanitarian logistics, visit our FedEx Cares page.