This morning when I walked into the chimp area, everyone was super quiet (usually it’s a little noisy first thing in the morning) and I saw Negra sleeping in her favorite spot on the catwalk beside the window. The nest she was lying in was huge—way bigger than any nest I’ve seen before! It made me smile so much, just knowing how comfortable and content Negra looked. I took a short moment while everything was still and greeted Negra by reaching my arm out and nodding my head. She gave me a quick head nod in return and then shifted in her nest a little bit. A couple minutes later, the other chimps started to get up and it became the usual noisy morning, but Negra stayed in bed. This is typically how it goes—while everyone else is eagerly watching the humans prepare breakfast and get ready for the day, Negra sleeps in until we are about to serve. But today especially, her nest was so expansive and comfy looking, I thought she might stay in bed all day! But as soon as she saw the peanuts we were serving as a breakfast appetizer, she quickly jumped out of bed and headed to join the rest of the chimps in the greenhouse. The pictures we got of her nest were a little dark, and I did my best to brighten them up but I apologize for the poor lighting due to the sun in the window! The first picture shows just how big the nest was (24 big, fluffy blankets in all) and the second is a close-up of our Queen’s beautiful face.
Negra simply enjoying her big nest this morning started making me think about how awesome it is that she can do that now, after 30+ years in a lab. I thought about it all during cleaning, and as soon as I had a chance I went to our blog to find an entry from before the chimps ever arrived—one about Negra trying to make a nest with scraps of newspaper in the lab she was in before coming to CSNW. It was written almost exactly 5 months before the Cle Elum Seven arrived at their forever sanctuary home. It’s here if you want to read it, but be prepared to get teary-eyed. As Diana says in the post, “Negra deserves to be forever free from the fear of life as a laboratory subject. She deserves to have choices in her life. She deserves to have room to walk, run and climb. She deserves to have access to the outdoors. She deserves a daily supply of a wide variety of food. And she deserves lots and lots of blankets so she can finally make the bed that will truly make her feel content.”
I am so happy that her new sanctuary life has given her the opportunity to build a bed that Diana thought she might enjoy. It’s days like today that make me realize how amazing and resilient chimps are, after all they’ve been through that they can still find joy and contentment in life. It’s admirable.
I swear, it’s kind of funny how I share some similarities with Negra. Not only we both introverts, but we love to sleep in. 😀
Chimp nests do have a comfy look. Even the ones made in a forest.
Guess I’m a sucker for rustic things. 🙂
I am already reaching for Tissues. Thank You for a great post. The Face on the Queen says it all. “CONTENT.”
I was on Save the Chimps facebook page yesterday and they have a wonderful pic of Negra’s daughter Angel. It was Angel’s birthday yesterday. She looks so much like her mama 🙂
I would have to say my favorite part of cleaning in the mornings is checking out the nests and seeing how expansive they are. The most blankets I’ve had the pleasure of taking apart is 14 and I thought THAT was huge! I can’t imagine 24!!
Beautiful
Debbie, your comments brought me to tears, and the photos are so sweet. I am so happy she, and the other six, are in a safe and loving home receiving the best of care and love. Thank you all.
In Negra’s case, dreams really do come true – even if delayed. I just love Queen Negra so very much. Thanks to all of you who love her too.
OML, that face!!! Love that gal! SO peaceful and content! Nice job CSNW for making it a place for her to realize her dream bed!!!
I read it, anything NEGRA or JODY , I read,,it,, dunno, but both Jody and Negra pull my heart strings, Negra is such a stoic , wise older lady,, her regal attitude is much deserved, and so befitting of a Royal Queen ,,her royal highness, I would curtsy and bow to Negra, I would bow to al of them after all theyve endured,, I love Negras’ beautiful nests so fit for a Queen,, “Queen of Cle Elum” she is such a lovely chimp,, thanks for sharing this very touching story, love how the chimps all respect her ,,especailly while she still sleeps and they are all awake. I love chimp culture and etiquette,,seems its different with in every family of chimps.
I thanky you all for giving Negra the carefree,comfortable ,safe,cozy life that she deserves,, I just hope , advocate and pray tha tone day soon the Primate Protection Act and Cost Saving Act will PASS and that ALL Chimpanzees are freed from any further research,, I just wanna see all chimps released from all existing USA labs,, they too deserve what Negra has.. Its so heartwarming to see Negra so serene and and so comfortable, probably the frst time since her childhood as a infant in Africa,
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE NEGRAS SWEET SERENE face, she look sso so very content adn so peacefull, They all have worked so hard at establishing their individual selves, Negra bein gthe eldest, of course gets all the social graces , respect, and Chimp ettiquette accompanied with ranks of the elder female.
Im sure , she probably enjoys and Burritto. since he is the baby of the family, I can see her defending him, Negra just seems like the grandma type,, I love her ,, her life story hurts my heart,, but, Diana and JB certainly made certain that Negra and all the chimps got to CSNW.. wow, theyve all come so so very far, so much healing has taken place in all their lives, thank you to al CSNW staff, volunteers and Mr.LaChapelle,, such amazing people,, deliver the goods to the Cle Elum Seven,,youre all awesome,, the Chimps think so too, I hope theri memories of the pasdt just go further and further away,, Bless them all, while they all continue to heal. CSNW a place of love,hope and healing, everyday is a new day,,a special day, and another day further away from the past ,and one day further in to their present, and towards their futures at CSNW.