We’ve been talking a lot about Jamie recently. She provides us with a lot to talk about, both on this blog and amongst the staff and volunteers at the sanctuary. We’ve told you about her artistic side, her love of cowboy boots, the challenges she presents to her caregivers to keep her busy mind active, and we’ve reflected on her complicated personality. There’s one thing that I sometimes mention to people when talking about Jamie in person. It’s something that I was thinking about as I took the photos below, and I don’t think I’ve shared it on the blog yet. So here it is –
I think Jamie is acutely aware of her captivity. I don’t say this about all of the chimpanzees. I don’t think Foxie, for example, with her goofy, please-everyone personality, thinks about how unfair it is that she is on the other side of the fencing from the humans, that we make a lot of decisions for her, and that we go off somewhere else at the end of the day. It’s impossible to know for sure, but I believe Jamie is very aware of all of these things, and she knows it’s not fair. I agree with her. Chimpanzees don’t belong in captivity. We do the best we possibly can with the resources we have to provide a happy life for the Cle Elum Seven, but we could never provide them with everything, especially the true freedom that they deserve (If you’re wondering why we don’t offer the chimps more freedom, take a look at this blog post and the link in it about the true nature of chimpanzees).
But things are getting better. More and more people are accepting the simple truth that chimpanzees don’t belong in captivity. The release of the NIH Council of Councils working group report the other day could be a watershed moment for chimpanzees in biomedical research in the United States, and the growing awareness of who chimpanzees are and what they deserve has played a huge role in this moment. It’s the countdown to the end of chimpanzees in biomedical research, and, in fact, someone is counting down – Lori Gruen launched a new website today called the Last 1,000. It is a list of all of the chimpanzees still in research and a tracking of these individuals from lab to sanctuary by highlighting their name or number in green. Lori’s already been able to highlight some of the chimpanzees who went from New Iberia to Chimp Haven just this week.
Though chimpanzees do not belong in captivity, those who are deserve the best quality of life we can provide them. Thank you for being a part of providing for Jamie.
Love that last picture! I know she is saying a prayer of thanks for the sanctuary just like many of us do!
Thanks for caring, and being so sensitive to the needs of other species. This post broke my heart a little. In a very bitersweet way.
I absolutely believe that you offer these chimps the best possible life they can have. And the fact they are happy, most of the time ;-), is proof of that.
I would bet she also knows she is in a much better place than she used to be, and she appreciates that.
I agree Diana…. Jamie KNOWS the difference between her being behind the caging and those of us who take care of her. She see’s us coming and going and decisions are made for her even when every effort is made to give her and the rest of the “7” choices in their day to day lives. It is unfair and she knows that too. Her whole life has been unfair and a great unjustice has been done to her by humans. I wonder if she wonders where we go when the lights go out? I wonder if she understands about the cars we get into and drive away from the Sanctuary. I wonder what her life would have been like without humans.
There are times when I deprately wish chimps in general and the CE 7 in particular could tell us what’s on their minds. At least specifically.
This is a most beautiful and eloquent way you have explained a key piece in the complicated subject of Chimpanzees in captivity. Beautiful pictures of Jamie.
I keep forgetting to send Jamie’s boots out. I’m a slacker. I have to go to the post tomorrow, so I will get them in the mail then. Should be to you by Monday. Couple trolls for Foxie too! Tell Jamie I’m so sorry for forgetting to send them, I hope she forgives me!!
She is a wise Sweet Soul isn’t she 🙂
Stunning photos of Jamie! Your keen incite to her awareness is very intriguing. I’m excited to learn more.
Thank you for the blog information. I can see through the videos that Jamie is very intelligent. Fantastic photos of Jamie as well! She is very beautiful. I agree that chimps don’t belong in captivity, however, being in a sanctuary is a much better life then having been in a bio chemical lab. You guys are doing a fantastic job ith the chimps. Keep it up, as well,as the photos and videos. I sometimes wish the videos were longer. You just get into their activity then the video ends.
Sometimes it is a terrible thing to be so perceptive because it causes pain. I’m sure Jamie feels the pain of captivity sometimes but hopefully she doesn’t think about it all the time. Humans have inflicted this upon her and the others and it is unfair. But, it seems as though life is unfair for both humans and animals. I doubt there is a person who has not felt the sting of inequity at all during his/her life. So, Jamie and the other Chimpanzees must deal with what their lives are as best they can as must people – for example those who survived the Holocaust. I guess it’s each person/animal’s Karma.
Although the bottom line is that they are jailed, no matter how wonderful the jail, they have the choice to make the most of it as they are definitely doing every day. They are incredible creatures to be able to savor the love of you caretakers and each little freedom given to them along with all the guilt gifts that we all send to help make their days more meaningful and happy. At least there are people who realize the injustice dealt them by our species and try to make up for it. I believe even animals have souls and that some day they will be in a better place – only wish I could figure out “why” they had to suffer at all. Jamie is definitely one of those very few extraordinary people one meets.
Sorry this was so long!!!
P.S. It’s a privilege to know and help these brave, resilient, amazing people and to know those who care for them.
I would love seeing every chimpanzee live as God intended and live free and in the wild without be bothered. Having said that, since the CE7 were in captivity for so long, can they really live “free” ever again? I’m not sure.
perceptive as always Diana (all yous caregivers always give us such great insight)
even though I understand and accept Jamie for who she is – deep down I still wish she didn’t know so much about human stuff (the purpose of nail files, tissues, clothes, footwear, etc.) .. when I see pictures or videos of her engaging in those kinds of activities, it makes me a little sad and always say to myself “She’s not supposed to do or know that stuff!” .. ah, but it is what it is isn’t it.
how fortunate she is to now be at CSNW where she is undoubtedly being very well taken care of .. Thanks again to ALL those who respect her and do their best to keep her occupied and comfortable every single day – no small feat.
appreciate the website Lori – thanks for all your efforts and work
(outrageous that there were chimps still being born in the lab in 2010 and 2011 – I thought there was a moratorium on that (?))
Another insightful post from the heart – thank you Diana.
Thanks for all of your comments. We often talk about how the blog is as much for the staff as it is for the blog readers. It is a gift to be able to share the chimps and our experiences as caregivers, and it’s beyond wonderful to have such a supportive, understanding and interested community. You all help us so much by caring about the chimpanzees and letting us know what you’re thinking. Thank you!