The Story of Oliver

[PukayRukonu]

Is it me or does anyone else notice that Oliver from Africa was captured and transferred to American...sound like the slave trade... damn I feel it for Oliver

[Nalijumonkeypuzzle]

The changing of the face of Oliver is normal ; as for the darker skin. When chimps get older, their face get darker and their facial features get less "human" like, with a more receding forehead, and a more prognathic face, etc. especially if we talk about males. Remember that Oliver was exposed as a relatively young chimpanzee. He was probably a chimp with only "younger" features than other.

[ZombieChimpanzee]

I think it's Oliver, he sticks his tongue out like i've seen in old pictures and film of him.

[doglover12345andfr]

Wow. I saw him on Unsolved Mysteries years ago, and it has alwys been a story that stuck out for me. Honestly, I thought he was creepy. Now that I'm older I was more of a "What happend to him?". I'm glad he got well taken care of.

[reptile1000]

i wonder if they mixed human dna with chimp dna and that how he was born it's possible they allready did it with fih in japan

[supersmashflashjump]

It's the rise of the planet of the apes

[fromstart2finish]

he looks so human like

its creepy.......

[lizdylanboykie]

i cant believe that after so many years of being such a well known chimp he ended up in a research facility for 7 years?? 

[SteelTurtleM17]

Andy Circus based the main chimp in planet of the apes off Oliver.

[stinabeib]

Stories like this one break my heart. Knowing that there are so many animals being mistreated like this just makes me nauseous. I'm so thankful for your work, keep it up.

[MissTerrify1]

You sound like wonderful people. It's sad there are awful people who would do experiments on chimps and keep them in small cages. I'm glad Oliver has a friend.

[jpmetroidkiller96]

that thumbnail with the human head is really freaking me out!

[YourComputerExpert]

I am going to donate 35euro because of your perfect work around the world! :-)

[brib333]

The chimp they found that they said was Oliver was NOT Oliver. He looks NOTHING like Oliver. His face is darker and not as human looking. The first photos of Oliver made me have chills 'cause of how human "like" he looks . Very creepy. But I did shed a tear for Oliver because of the exploitation he went through.Very sad....

[FriendsofAnimals]

@brib333 By all reasonable accounts, that is Oliver. I believe the diference you make note of in earlier and later photos can be explained by the many years that have passed between taking the photos. The video clearly shows Oliver walking upright. But the more important point that you make is that the exploitation of animals is wrong whether they look similar to us or not.

[Mouseboy47]

@FriendsofAnimals I agree. I used to watch the show Chimp Eden on animal planet and it is fairly obvious that chimpanzees change in appearance when they reach the old age that Oliver has lived to. He doesn't look like he used to because he has reached old age.

[markymark36]

Shame on the people who run Buckshire Corporation.

[Slanguaj]

Did they breed this chimp? Could create a new subspecies

[FriendsofAnimals]

No, Oliver was never bred to our knowledge.

[Slanguaj]

@FriendsofAnimals I would've thought that considering how he is, breeding him would have been a priority. His genes could have gone on to produce a new, more human-like chimp.

[FriendsofAnimals]

Oliver's story is about an animal that was abused early in his life just because he was different. Further breeding would just extend the abuse he received to future generations. As an animal sanctuary, none of the animals at PPI are bred. PPI exists to give them a life free of exploitation.

[OffhandDelivery]

@Slanguaj

one of the many strange things about Oliver was that apparently in his youth he had no interest in other chimpanzees at all and other chimps actually shunned him. He was much more interested in socializing with humans. Which isn't really shocking when you consider that he was taken from the wild as a baby and raised as a human by humans for most of his life.

[regaliatwentytwo]

D'oh, I didn't realize everything I just said is covered in the video -.-

[KasirRham]

Oliver is "all chimp" ALL......IM nt too sure about that. Humanzee idk, but he sure isnt a regular ape

[zerordieb87]

@KasirRham he could be a mutation

[regaliatwentytwo]

@KasirRham

From the research I've done, it appears he has a sort of "chimpanzee Downs syndrome." A DNA test done years ago suggests that he only has 47 chromosomes, as opposed to chimpanzee normal of 48. The test has been refuted by a later DNA test, but no evidence puts more reliability on one test over another. Still, I see Downs syndrome as the most likely culprit.

He now has a MUCH deserved retirement at Primarily Primates and he won't ever be subjected to DNA testing again.

[Kurplutzo]

I'd like to put the Buckshire people in solitary for a few years myself. Then charge them with a convict them with a sex crime and cage them with Bubba.

[chrisachey]

..then after being sold for 8 grand was then placed in a small cage for 9 years in a research facility and even after all this misery was still happy to see the man who sold him :( it was like seeing a child who was abandoned and then finally after so many years of abuse and misery still happy to see it's parents :( :(

[chrisachey]

I just watched a unsolved mystery show about oliver I must say it is so sad what this animal went through it really tore me up once the owner who sold oliver for 8000 dollars to a lawyer went to see him 20 years later and when this man walked up to olivers cage and called his name oliver came running out of his little abode with complete reconigntion of his previous owner and was so terribly excited to once again see the man...all this after being paraded around as a circus side show

[MultiIPwnage]

Yeah, he was honorably neglected through the years of traveling and that small cage and horrible people really messed him up. It really sucks I hate people.

This is just like how we changed in to who we are now, hundreds of thousands of years ago

[lelia72]

now i feelbad for being scared of him

[dragonfly9196]

@VegasLydia

they have tested on humans without the humans awarness. i suggest you try reading the book "The Immortal Life of Hennrettia Lacks" if you would like to find out more information about that

[VegasLydia]

Its sad when humans test on animals without thinking about how it will effect their future. But I guess they don't care... They'd probably test on people if given the chance. But... tricky situation, without testing we wouldn't know what we do now... Sigh... What a dilemma.

[FriendsofAnimals]

@VegasLydia What we know now could have been found out without animal testing.

[JMFruitSalad]

@FriendsofAnimals Even rodents? I am completely AGAINST testing on animals, but with the exception of computer simulation the only way to draw a scientific conclusion is through observation and in the case of medical science that requires a test subject.. I suppose if the rules were made more flexible than the more "experimental" drug trials could be carried out on desperate human subjects who are willing to try anything, but that raises an even greater ethical debate.. This issue is very tough.

[ltl711]

They should have found Oliver a nice Bonobo female for him to REALLY enjoy his golden years. ; )

[FriendsofAnimals]

Oliver does live with a female chimpanzee and they get along well.

[tiggerny88]

the part where the chimpanzees were in solitary confinement made my heart ache!

[Myfrogsnameisbob]

They are so cute! Oliver and Raisin are a cute couple!

[jarvisiscool]

Oliver is like a bonobo, being able to stand upright naturally.

[Myfrogsnameisbob]

He is not a bonobo, he is a common chimpanzee.

[cdakak]

there something in his eyes, that is human-like

[jarvisiscool]

Oliver is probably has a slight mutation or is slightly more evolved than a rugular chimpanzee.

[KCAASE]

I don't get it: Oliver used to have human-like feature? How though? I don't get it. In his younger days, he even preferred human females too according to wikipedia source. Anyway, I just want to say that Oliver is actually a Chimp. OK.

[gastonytHQ]

i think its the other way around: 1 chromosome less than humans in the case of Oliver

[windap55]

The story of Oliver was one of the saddest......

[ralphyetmore]

Glad to see that Oliver will have some peace to the end of his life.

[rockinfortheplanet]

Animal research is a disgrace to so called civilised society and using animals in entertainment is abuse. I'm thankful for primate rescue organisations that show mercy and care for these amazing creatures. How many more primates are still waiting for release from their torment behind bars in animal testing facilities?

[neesan1]

I heard of Oliver several years ago, I didnt know that he was at this Sanctuary , I am so glad he is , at least now he can spend his last years being cared for .

Thank you

[theriftable]

i am surpised nobody has successfully made a human-monkey hybrid yet, thorugh artificial insemination or whatever, that we know for sure is real, it doesnt seem that hard cuz humans and also chimps get pregnant everyday. Sounds like a massive world government cover up so that humans will never know the truth...

[FriendsofAnimals]

Sadly, it's not from lack of trying. The Russian leader Stalin wanted to build an army of such beings -- his efforts failed.

[Myfrogsnameisbob]

Wow, he did? ;/

[FriendsofAnimals]

Yes, do an Internet search on "Stalin chimpanzee"

[FriendsofAnimals]

Oliver is a vegetarian.

[fitzmorris]

you do that chimps need meat in their diet, right? so is it Oliver's chose to be vegetarian, or do they not feed him meat? anyway, glad to see some people care enough to help these animals!

[Myfrogsnameisbob]

Oh, that's awesome! So chimps can sustain themselves on a vegetarian diet?

I can use this information quite effectively! I am a vegan myself and come across the "but chimpanzees are omnivores" argument quite often.

[stephenpprice]

They are mostly vegetarians, however they have been observed hunting colubus monkeys and even young chimps from other clans that have been killed in a raid.

[bob1sded]

he eats like my dad

[movie1me2out34]

i love Ovliver .

[AcidCakes]

That is absolutely inexcusable what they did to him!! Disgusting, and very sad.

[krystallion654]

i kno sooo horrible f them

[Renfield37]

actually.. yes they didnt need to go and drag him from his home just to parade him around like a curcus freak.. to try to prove evolution, there is no proof for it anyway but they just determioned to do anything to try to prove it & say anything

[FriendsofAnimals]

He should never have been taken from the wild and his family. He can't go home again, so PPI gives him the best life possible. Animals should not be used for entertainment or scientific research.

[mike39201]

itz real proof of bigfoot people! jk

[prometheusfllux]

i hope they 're saving the genetics

[quicknest]

i fell quite sad he was lock up in a cage for long with no freedom and awys had to go out in public

[trumpetmom30312]

Such a moving story! So glad he has a place to live out his life.

[trinitymike]

Even the gentlest chimps will rip your face off

[howlinfox]

This is a great organization Everyone should donate!!

[p0o0n]

I agree with you ragnarok420 100%

I am a muslim and in islam there is no different between people, it doesn't matter if you were white , black , red or arabian or not , muslims are brothers in all over the world , and thats what I like about islam .

[rollingrok]

can he talk?

i heard that he could say haloooo...

[pop1290]

this is so sweet

[elfdude06]

how can you keep a creature of that size in a cage for 7 years? that is torture...

[Ragnarok420]

Truly a lesson to be learned here.

If we feel such compasion for animals (in general), why is it so hard for us to feel the same emotion towards members of OUR own species??

Live well Oliver!

[elfdude06]

because animals are better than humans

[mjimih]

this proves we are no more special than the animals we share the earth with. With our ability to control everything we touch, we need to be especially kind to all living things. If not, we could end up destroying the very things all animals cherish. To be free and safe for a lifetime. Oliver and the compassion of groups like Primarily Primates, Friends of Animals, and others, can teach us all to be better stewards of the vast miracle and beauty of our little planet, Long live Oliver's story

[greenhippo33]

Very cool , AI saw the TV special years ago and started thinking about it in class today and had to go find up to date info on him

Thanks

[caraklippel]

I love him! He is so cool!

[BernardBluth]

Way to go Oscar! You just kick back and relax buudy.

[greenhippo33]

I guess you mean Oliver

[daddyschlong14]

Its beyond me how people think there's a gulf between chimpanzees and humans, much so that they can exploit and kill them. If anyone has ever just sat and watched them you'll appreciate how similar they are to us, amazing and intelligent creatures.

[39RatRodCoupe]

Is Oliver still doing well in 2009, I love his story except for the part where he spent 7 years in a jail like cell. Owen Australia

[therealCanablisS]

hehe he looks like an old man :) great werk u guys do !

[cbhonda90]

oliver is so awsome.......

[kron0725]

how old is "oliver"

[FriendsofAnimals]

Oliver is about fifty years old.

[emopuppy2007]

you can tell by looking at the two

Oilver is very different

but he is special

[lacayan]

Yes. very special.

[shounenbat510]

That's wonderful that these chimps have a place where they can retire.

[aquilacarn3]

cruel to have been taken from his natural environment & subjected to human cruelty for entertainment, research or whatever else!!!!!!

[FriendsofAnimals]

Yes, it was both cruel and thoughtless. And now the natural environment for chimpanzees is shrinking so fast that there may soon be no more free-living ones.

[liljames2k]

He is same at the Australopithecus Anamensis... Is he the Next Generation of the Chimpanzee-Evolution???

[liljames2k]

he has eyes like humans

[XxLexPrezxX]

hes soooooooooooooooooooo cute!

[retardopooplick]

Hes crossing his legs and lying on his back. Oliver is so cool. I want to meet him.

[Kev6869]

Im so glad you guys saved him!