Kimie, the beautiful girl in the old yellow jacket, passed away January 6, 2011. Visit our Remembering Kimie page here.

Kimie was born on December 28, 1988, in a breeding compound in Florida. She was merely an infant when she was pulled away from her mother and sold to a private owner at Federal Way's Enchantment Parks. As far as we know, Kimie spent the first four years of her life performing for birthday parties and corporate functions.

In 1992, the Park closed its wildlife exhibit and Kimie was forced to leave. What happen to Kimie between the years of 1992 and 1998 is largely unknown. It wasn't until 1998 that a bank foreclosed a property in Lebanon, Oregon and discovered Kimie and a male chimpanzee named Herbie living in a small, dingy cage made of chicken wire and covered with a blue tarp in the owner's backyard. This prompted an emergency rescue of both chimpanzees.

Kimie has since gained a healthy 40 pounds of muscle and is now able to play, run, and socialize with other chimps. She loves her morning oatmeal, taking naps in the sun, and playing tug-of-war with certain articles of clothing that she can't quite get away from Jackson. She has become an integral part of this family and can be seen swinging from ropes and fire hoses, playing chase with the other chimps and human friends, and also playing mother to Emma and Jackson.