A 54-year-old chimpanzee in Louisiana named Pierre is seeing the world again after a successful cataract surgery.
Pierre had gone completely blind, forcing his devoted care team to train him using sound cues and positive reinforcement so he could learn how to function in captivity at Chimp Haven.
The care team brought in a top veterinary eye surgeon — and the procedure was a huge success. Within hours, Pierre was visually recognizing his favorite human caregivers. And within days, he was back hanging out with his best chimp buddy, Jill.
The staff at Chimp Haven who have known Pierre for over 25 years say watching him look back at them for the first time in years was an unforgettable moment — and are thrilled that he continues to reconnect with the people, chimpanzees, and activities familiar to him.