There is terrific article published today by Rachel Abramowitz which discusses PETA’s new documentary about chimpanzees used for entertainment. It mentions Sarah and her undercover investigation.
Archives for August 2008
A few thoughts
I’m finally sitting down to process the day a little bit, and wanted to share some thoughts while they are fresh.
biggest surprise: Annie brachiating 17 feet up in the air, then just hanging there because she could
best scene: Jody laying on her back in the sun in a bed of straw
most impressive acrobatics: Foxie pulling her legs through her arms as she hung from the ceiling, turning upside down, while holding two troll dolls
best “awww” moment: Negra on the deck (the ledge made of donated Trex decking) “Negra style” – with a blanket over her head
proudest moment: seeing Burrito come out – he was pretty scared, but he did it. By the end of the day, he was napping in the sunshine
biggest laugh: Missy standing bipedally with a huge play face looking up at Annie as she dangled above
when it really hit me: watching Jamie try out all of the kids’ construction tools, then swing from the fire hose like a “real chimp” and thinking about her in a tiny barren cage in a windowless basement for most of her life
Media coverage
Seattle’s Komo News with Michelle Esteban aired a really great story about the sanctuary and the chimpanzees’ first steps outside on their 5:00 news. Hopefully it will play again tonight. You can also watch it online – click on “watch the story” at the top of the transcript on this page: http://www.komonews.com/news/27507779.html
Steve Wellman from Yakima’s CBS KIMA news was on-site today too and the chimpanzees’ were the top story on the 6:00 news. It’s also a great segment. Watch online here: http://www.kimatv.com/
Meryl Schenker, photographer for the Seattle PI took some amazing photos of the chimpanzees in the outdoor enclosure (including a couple with troll dolls). She has started to put some online in the PI photo gallery. You can look at them and rate each one! She’ll be adding more, so be sure to check back often. Click here for link.
Such a good day!! More media updates as they come in!
First Pics
Here is a link to a page with the first pics! There will be much more to come!
Success!
Well, here’s the quick quick report: the chimps are outside and enjoying the beautiful day! I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house. Burrito was a little slow, and Negra was the last to join us, but they all came out eventually. Imagine – it may well be the first time Negra’s been outdoors since she was captured in Africa. What a long time coming.
Cheers! (We’ll post pictures when we get them loaded!).
Jamie wants OUT!
It’s a madhouse this morning – T-minus 45 minutes until the big moment! I sat down for a quick quiet minute with Jamie and asked (in sign language) “YOU WANT OUT THERE?” pointing to the outdoor area door. She bobbed her head and to my surprise, she signed OUT! We have seen her sign a few things, but OUT was a first!
More soon!
busy day!
Hey – my apologies for not posting yesterday. We’re frantically getting ready for the big day tomorrow when the chimpanzees go outside for the first time!
If you’re in Seattle, I would recommend picking up the Seattle Times today – stories are always better in print. I updated our media page with links to the two online versions of the articles that appeared in the Times today by Erik Lacitis with photos by Alan Berner – they’re both great!
We’ll give you some more info to go on about the children of the Cle Elum Seven soon. Tomorrow – photos of the chimpanzees in their outdoor area!
