These chimpanzees, formerly owned by the federal government for research, are basking in their retirement at the Chimp Haven sanctuary just outside of Shreveport, Louisiana.

“To witness chimps coming out into the natural habitat after seeing what they’ve been exposed to in the past is rewarding beyond anything that I could say,” says Kathleen Taylor, who works with the animals. When they come out into the big open space of the yard for the first time, “they just sit and look up with this awe of amazement.”