A few weeks ago, two very special people from Seattle’s NPR station visited the sanctuary and interviewed Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest’s Executive Director, Sarah Baeckler. The interview and audio from their visit will air on KUOW Presents on 94.9 FM tomorrow at 2:06pm. Please listen to it live if you’re in the area.
You can also listen to it, subscribe to the KUOW Presents podcast, or download the interview from their website right now. It’s a very moving piece, and I hope you’ll be inspired to contact KUOW to comment, and encourage them to re-air it as frequently as they can. You will learn a lot about Sarah in the interview and why she does what she does for chimpanzees.
This was a beautiful interview, Sarah. Being an animal welfare advocate can be mentally draining and I often can’t sleep at night and feel burned out after some of the abuses I have seen or read about. But I know that however badly I am feeling, it is worse for the animals who are suffering, so I continue to protest animal abuse whenever I learn about it. The Cle Elum 7 and all the chimpanzees you have helped over the years are lucky to have such a passionate advocate to speak up for them.
That was a very moving interview. Sarah I have so much respect for what you have done in the past and what you do now. Thank you.
I agree with Linda, Sarah. Very moving interview! I can’t imagine how stressful and emotionally draining it was for you to watch those chimps being abused. I don’t think I could have been strong enough to see it through. I often become depressed seeing animals abused and so many orphaned great apes needing sanctuary. Not to mention the chimps still in labs that haunt me. I am grateful that you brought that trainer to justice and prevented him from abusing any more chimps. You saved them from a life of torture. There is something special about the healing quality of animals that just is. I felt that when I spent time with the chimps at Chimp Eden. They soothed my soul just being with them as I am sure the Cle Elum 7 soothe yours. Thank you for being such a passionate advocate for them.
Such a good interview, Sarah. THank you for all you do for our chimpanzees and all other animals.
That was very moving. I don’t know how you did it Sarah, but I am glad you could. And I didn’t think about CSNW being a place for humans to heal, too but it is very understandable. You are an amazing lady, Sarah, and I am honored to know you and proud to be a part of the work you do.
Thanks for your kind words, everyone. I’m really glad my story and the story of all the chimps I’ve known can help engage more passionate advocates like yourselves!