The decision has been made in dialogue with the European Association of Zoos and Zoos (EAZA) and means that all remaining chimpanzees will now leave and Furuvik's chimpanzee keeping will be definitively ended.
"The chimpanzees have been an important part of our park and our history. Of course it feels sad, but above all we are happy about the opportunity to give them a new home where they can be part of a larger social group," says Sandra Wilke, CEO of Furuvik in a press release.
It was on December 14, 2022, that five of the park's animals escaped from their enclosure. Four of them were shot dead while another was injured in the incident, which received significant media attention.
A preliminary investigation was opened into animal cruelty, violations of the Animal Welfare Act and causing danger to others, but was closed last fall.
After the escape, the zoo has worked to find a solution as three individuals are considered too small a group to function as a stable herd.
The move will take place in 2026.
