Emma, Chimps Inc.'s youngest resident, was born on April 15, 2002. Her former home was an animal facility in San Antonio, Texas. Emma, alongside a male chimpanzee named Jackson, was brought to Chimps Inc. in March of 2007 when the State of Texas placed the facility into receivership.

Although Emma had never been with adult chimpanzees prior to living with us, she has been successfully integrated into our chimpanzee family. Emma does enjoy being with other females in the group, especially Thiele, who has helped her grow both socially and in her psychological well-being. Her most significant step forward is that she is now engaging in social grooming - considered the single most important activity in maintaining social harmony in chimpanzee families. Now that she has the proper maternal figures to guide her through her youth we expect to see many more behavioral improvements.

Emma is a very curious chimpanzee who loves to explore new things. Her seemingly endless energy appears to wear out, not just the chimpanzees, but her human friends too. She is constantly swinging from ropes and tumbling off of shelves. If she isn't hamming it up in front of the caregivers and volunteers then she is likely off in a corner being tickled by Thiele.