Regis

Regis is a sensitive and emotional chimpanzee who can often be spotted with a stuffed animal in his pelvic pocket. He is the tallest of the Fauna chimps with very long arms. He has a structured thin face with large, slightly pointed ears and his canines protrude forward slightly.

Incredibly sensitive, loving, loyal, fragile, guarded, vulnerable, complicated, intuitive, smart, and clever, Regis is quite accepting of his situation. He definitely sees himself as an alpha chimp, and the other residents treat him as such, except for perhaps Binky. They are secretly in the ranks for alpha chimp and just can’t seem to get along for extended periods of time. Regis does receive pant-grunts from other chimpanzees, and thus would likely be considered the alpha.

Regis is friends with a lot of his other close family members. Lately he spends a lot of time with his best friend, Jethro, but also with Rachel and Chance. He also spends time with Maya. He enjoys quiet time with his family members and caregivers. He comes to caregivers when he wants to be groomed and leaves when he has other things to do. He also loves grooming with his chimpanzee friends, playing with Jethro, operant training (because he is so good at it!) and spending time outside in the tunnels, weather permitting.

Regis is always the first to decipher any new enrichment ideas. Give him a box locked shut and a bunch of keys to choose from, and he will be the first to open it. Both of them were known for their escapes at LEMSIP. They are incredibly intelligent and know that they have not been fairly dealt the cards of life. Regis, however, seems rather content with his new life and puts a lot of trust in his caregivers. They are able to give him daily injections to manage his diabetes and continue with even more training since he is more than willing.

History
Born in LEMSIP and reared there, Regis was involved in three brutal studies, one of which was a hepatitis study. This involved isolation and multiple-punch liver biopsies. He arrived at Fauna in 1997.

Regis is still a sensitive and emotional fellow. He gets more sensitive with time but less stressed by things going on around him. His coping skills are far more developed, and he is very secure in his group.

Regis was a tall, skinny, scared and neurotic little boy when Gloria met him in the lab years ago. When he moved to Fauna, he underwent remarkable changes. Year after year he became more secure, more self-assured, and earned a position in the family as a valued member. He gets support from everyone, including Jethro who has such an important role in the family. Of great importance in Regis’ development and maturity was his relationship with the now deceased, dear Pepper. She was a strong role model and friend to Regis, and this relationship gave him great comfort and elevated him in the group. Often it seems as if the others see his weaknesses and sense he cannot cope with too much stress, so they are careful with him, which is very kind of them. While Pepper was alive she provided unconditional love and support to Regis, even from afar.

From the time he was born, Regis was a victim of biomedical research, and he was sickly. He chose to starve himself as a way of controlling his world back then; which ultimately led to his weakened state. Lack of nourishment at an early age can have lifelong effects, and the daily rigors and stresses of research life marked him for life.

Whatever they did to Petra and Regis at LEMSIP, it had the same effect; they were the same age, involved in much of the same daily rigors, and were housed together for a short period of time as youngsters. Both locked up permanently far too early, while others still had release from their cages. This alone had a terrible consequence for them. They watched as others their age were taken out of the cages to play with other chimps or the humans, but because they hated so badly to be put back in their cages, lab workers stopped letting them out.

Regis is a special guy but he has an edge to him that will be with him forever. He, like Petra, seems to know something is not right about their situation in life and often just seems angry. Regis is diabetic and must cooperate daily for his meds and injections.

In spite of all he has endured and his frustration about his situation, Regis is fabulous with us, and has decided to work with us. He knows what to expect, and he decides daily whether he wants to come to us for help. Regis has become a loving, trusting and forgiving chimpanzee. It took a group, a family, and a community to raise Regis, bless his little soul, and all those who helped him grow into the young man he is today.