Bonding with family Brandon Wade/AP/HSUS Born at New Iberia Research Center, 4-year-old Diane remains close to her mother, Muffy. On the day their group was released into a new habitat, they hung back near the entrance together until Diane was ready to explore the forest. “When there’s activity going on in the group,” said Lewis, “she’ll always kind of have a hand on her mom’s back, as reassurance.”

Trying new sports Brandon Wade/AP/HSUS Arden, who just turned 4, was the first juvenile from New Iberia to venture up into the trees.

Playing with friends Born at New Iberia, 5-year-olds Jimmy and Mason are two of six rambunctious juveniles in their 5-acre enclosure.

Eating what they want, whenever they want Brandon Wade/AP/HSUS Hillary has a unique preference for veggies. Sweet treats like frozen pineapple halves are among the produce delivered daily, but, notes Lewis: “I’ve actually seen her eat zucchini before she eats her banana.”

Shmoozing with the cool kids Brandon Wade/AP/HSUS Five-year-old Jimmy is spending more time with the older males, watching them “display” -- loud acts that show off their strength and dominance, like punching a doorframe or shaking the mesh. Jimmy’s even been trying his hand at it, though as Lewis says: “Nobody takes him seriously yet because he’s not old enough for it.”

Learning new things Brandon Wade/AP/HSUS Ashely is acing the sanctuary’s positive reinforcement training program, wherein staffers teach chimps to present various body parts against the mesh. The clicker training helps vets address injuries and other ailments. “Right now,” Lewis says, “she knows her hands, her head, lips, and she was working on arms the last time I watched her train.”