The CSNW staff lost a friend today. This afternoon we received a call from our friends at the Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute (CHCI) in nearby Ellensburg to let us know that Dar passed away this morning. All of our staff worked with the family of chimpanzees at CHCI during our time there as graduate students studying primate behavior. Dar was a big, goofy, gentle giant who loved babies, games of chase, and endless somersaults. He had a sweet freckled face and huge floppy ears that he never quite grew into. We will miss him terribly. Learn more about Dar here.
Thanks, Mom and Dad, for sponsoring today in memory of Dar.
Awe RIP Dar ;( You sweet face and gentleness will, I’m sure , be missed ;(
So sorrry to learn of Dar’s passing today. He indeed was a gentle being who brought much joy. I am so thankful that I was able to meet him. Thank you for sharing that wonderful picture. Rest in Peace, Dar. You will be missed!
Years ago I was leading a chimposium and another docent had friends visiting. They had a very small baby. We were in the outdoor area. Dar saw the baby and immediately came over to the window. He had the sweetest, goofiest look in his eyes and an endearing softness to his face. We were allowed to bring the baby close to the window and Dar, he just melted and signed “baby chase”, the sign was so small and gentle and then this big, hulking chimp started to play chase with tiny movements and a big play face checking out as the baby bounced along the window with him. It was so gentle, sweet and endearing. He won my heart then and has had it ever since. Many tears are coming his way. I hope he was welcomed with many pant-hoots and hug/loves from Washoe and Moja as he moves on in his journey. He will be sorely missed and never forgotten.
Thanks for being a part of my life and brightening so many days! Your kind and gentle demeanor will never be forgotten. Those big floppy ears! What a great guy he was, very sad day for anyone that knew him.
My sympathies to all of Dar’s friends and family. Thank you all for sharing your memories of and love for him!
Thank you for sharing your stories of DAR,,
Condolances to all of you, who loved, and cared about him.
I just heard this on the news. I am sorry for you that knew and loved Dar. He certainly does have a sweet face. I remember his name from conversations at CSNW. I wish I had met him.
I am curious as to how the other chimps at CHCI are doing with Dar’s passing? It must be so very difficult for them.
Dar spent his entire life with Tatu and nearly all of it with Loulis, so they were all very close. It’s hard to imagine what they must be thinking, and I can only speculate what loss they may feel. But they have shown more quiet behavior the last couple days, though they are still doing the things they did when Dar was here. Tatu signed HURT a lot over the weekend. Loulis wasn’t as playful as usual but all of that is not surprising given the circumstance. Chimps are stronger than humans in a lot of ways and if their past experience with death is any indication, they will return to their normal selves not after long, maybe a week or two. They are so resilient.
We all grieve and yet we go on…there’s nothing else to do. Dar’s legacy is that he gave all of you the opportunity to learn about chimps so that you could be there for Jamie, Foxie, Annie, Missy, Jody, Negra and Burrito.
I didn’t know of him until now but I can tell he was one special guy. My sympathies are with you and his buddies.