I started to write the post below a few months ago. I didn’t finish it because I thought it might be too much of a downer, but I think it speaks to the question of whether we would allow babies to be born at the sanctuary. To be clear – there is no way we would intentionally bring another chimpanzee into a life of captivity. I have no doubt that some of the chimpanzees at CSNW would love to have a baby to nuture, and it could bring new energy and focus to the group, but the cost is too high. Chimpanzees belong living free in the wild.
It is not possible for the Cle Elum Seven to have the life of free-living chimpanzees for a variety of reasons, the main one being that they would not know how to survive – they were not brought up by other chimpanzees and taught the necessary skills to be a ‘free’ individual. What we can do, with the help of all of you, is do the best we can to provide for them for the rest of their lives in a sanctuary. Thanks to all of you who are doing this and for asking great questions!
Here’s the post I began in April before moving back to Washington to work at CSNW:
It won’t be long before I am in Cle Elum and I will be returning to caring for chimpanzees on a daily basis. After being away from that work for a few years, and spending some time with the Buckshire Seven, I’ve been reflecting about all of the good and bad that comes with caring for chimpanzees in captivity. Sometimes it is really difficult – not just the heartbreak when a chimpanzee dies, or the worry that comes when watching chimpanzees fight with one another, or the concern that arises when a chimpanzee behavior changes – it’s the daily knowledge that neither you nor the chimpanzees should be in that position. When I was at Fauna there were definitely days when I felt much more like a prison guard than a caregiver. And it wasn’t just because there were chimpanzees throwing things at me (a favorite past time of Binky) and spitting to get my attention (or just to get me wet), it was the understanding that chimpanzees simply don’t belong in captivity, but we have no choice but to keep them behind bars, penned by electric fencing, or surrounded by moats for the rest of their lives.
thanks for taking the time to address this, I completely understand..
my deepest feeling about all this has always been that there shouldn’t ever have to be a desperate need for sanctuaries in the first place..
as with all the other sanctuaries and rescue groups, I am truly so very sorry that they have to be there and that you have to be there.
with that said, a sincere THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY for your tireless work and everything that you do for these guys in trying to help rehabilitate and restore, among many things, their dignity & magnificence. bravo!
Diana, in the darkest of moments, know that all of us are care very deeply about what you and the chimpanzees are experiencing. You’re doing God’s work, which isn’t an easy path, but is the highest calling. There is an equal (or greater) opposite to the worst of times ~ because of you, we are all learning critical information that will change our thinking about how to be the best stewards of our next of kin. In turn, our new perspective will influence that of our family and friends. This is the only way social change has ever worked. Your sphere of influence is huge ~ and you are responsible for helping an entire species not only simply survive, but to live with dignity and without human-caused pain and suffering. Thank you for your strength and courage in the most difficult of times. I could write a novel here, but this is plenty for a blog 😉
Thank you for this clear and honest post. It is good for us to remember these things. Seeing the daily photos we could easily get overcome with the beauty of the chimps and their darling activities and forget the tragedy of it all. They should never be here because they or their relatives should never have left Africa. All animals should be who they are meant to be, not manipulated by humans. I even feel this way about my cats, as much as I love them. Humans have domesticated an entire species in this case as we no longer know who they are naturally. Animals are NOT ours to use in any way. However, when humans have interferred in their lives to such an extent that they cannot live naturally we have a responsiblity toward them and we should not “make more” to live unnaturally even if happy.
Everyone else has said what I feel. Thank you for sharing your innermost feelings so we can understand better. As difficult as it is you are definitely giving the chimpanzees hope for the future generations and a life that will let them be at peace for the rest of their lives. Thank you isn’t enough but know it comes from the heart.
I cannot express my feelings any more (or better) than the ones before me. Please know that I feel the same and cannot even begin to thank all of your for giving of your selves for these wonderful beings.
Diana, thank you for sharing the “dark side”. I too wrestle with these feeling when I talk with people about chimps in captivity. The “light” tho is being able to revive play faces and big eyed excitement!! For this group to have years of respectful care ahead of them is an example of making the very best of a bad situation. Hopefully your wonderful example will help to influence many of us to act on behalf of all chimps in need.
The saddest thing is now they probably would not survive Africa if they were there with all of the murdering of Primates and humans for coal, so sometimes I am glad they are here with you safe. Africa has lost its mind, all of them. God gave them some of the most beautiful creatures he made and they are all being slaughtered for their meat and the babies ( the ones that do survive the murders of their families) are having to learn how to be a chimps by humans when they are found in time. If this does not stop there will be no primates for the future generations, I just hope one day soon in the future the Government there can somehow get it together not only for the people and mostly the children but number one in my heart is for the primates that are dying in vast numbers. The saddest is the chimp family is so close to us humans when the mother loses her baby and also when the baby chimp lose their mothers they feel the loss like we do, I know that loss and it is so painful and last forever! Sometimes I wander how these awesome creatures can keep on going with all of the abuse and torture that they do not give up and die! If you have not read the July 2008 National Geograhic Magazine this month please get it, there is a great article on the Mountain Gorillas, the silverbacks and the family of them that were murdered last year in the Virunga Park . The article explains alot about what is going on over there currently and has great photos. Sorry for babbling 🙂 Love to the 7, God Bless Them All and All of You! XOXO
Thanks to everyone for your comments. It means SO much that you all understand and listen. It also brings me incredible joy to share the good times with all of you and to share the personalities of the Cle Elum Seven. There are, undoubtedly, many, many more good times to come and lots more to share about everyone. – Diana
I’ve thought a lot about what it must be like to be a caregiver to 7 active chimpanzees. I imagine it as having 7 VERY VERY STRONG, rambunctious, loud, messy 5 year old children who are also fun, adorable and sweet (only MUCH more challenging!!). Any parent could imagine that and see that it would be a very big, exhaustive job!! They need wonderful people like you to clean up after them, wash their bedding, clean their rooms, calm them if they get upset or fight, keep them healthy, protect them, and help them to live out the rest of their lives in as much peace and happiness as possible!! Ideally, they should be living in the wild, where they were meant to be, having their own families and living in their natural family structures, but since they can’t, I’m so glad they have you all at the sanctuary to love them and watch over them. They really deserve it after all they have been through in their lives!! And you all deserve our undying gratitude! Thank you all SO MUCH for ALL the work you do!!
I don’t mind hearing the truth and agree with all the other comments. But would like to add, I think posting more of this side would also be of huge interest to us. Please consider telling us those stories as well.