Watch Lucy the Human Chimp

Lucy the Human Chimp is a heartwarming documentary that tells the story of Lucy, a chimpanzee raised as a human by animal psychologist Dr. Maurice Temerlin and his wife. The film is directed by Alex Parkinson and marks the 50th anniversary of Lucy's rescue from the Temerlin's home in the early 1970s. The documentary begins with the Temerlins' adoption of Lucy in 1964, when she was just two days old. The couple had been conducting research on chimpanzees, and they decided to raise Lucy as they would a human child. They dressed her in clothes, fed her at a table, taught her sign language, and even potty-trained her to use the toilet.

As Lucy grew up, she began to display increasingly human-like behaviors. She formed a close bond with the Temerlins' son, Steve, and learned to communicate through sign language. She also displayed a range of emotions, including joy, frustration, and sadness, which the Temerlins interpreted as evidence of her intelligence and emotional complexity.

However, as Lucy matured, her behavior began to pose a danger to her human family. She became aggressive towards visitors, and her strength and unpredictability posed a risk to those around her. The Temerlins turned to renowned primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall for help, and she eventually arranged for Lucy to be transferred to a chimpanzee sanctuary in Gambia.

The second half of the film focuses on Lucy's life at the sanctuary, where she was introduced to other chimpanzees for the first time. The sanctuary staff worked to help Lucy learn how to behave like a chimpanzee, including teaching her skills like foraging for food and grooming. The film includes interviews with staff members who took care of Lucy over the years, as well as footage of Lucy interacting with her fellow chimpanzees.

The film is a powerful reminder of the ethical considerations involved in raising animals in human environments. While the Temerlins undoubtedly loved and cared for Lucy, their decision to raise her as a human had unintended consequences that ultimately put her life at risk. However, by the end of the film, viewers are left with a sense of hope, as Lucy's story serves as a testament to the resilience and adaptability of the animal kingdom.

The documentary is beautifully filmed, with stunning shots of the Gambian landscape and the chimpanzees' natural habitat. The use of archival footage from Lucy's early years adds a personal touch to the film, allowing viewers to see her development from a tiny baby to a fully grown adult.

Overall, Lucy the Human Chimp is a powerful and moving documentary that will leave viewers thinking about the ethical implications of human-animal interactions long after the credits roll. It is a must-see for anyone interested in the complexities of animal behavior and the ongoing debate over animal welfare.

Lucy the Human Chimp is a 2021 documentary. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3.