Foxie and a troll doll spent some time in our “portrait studio” the other day (a space in one of the front rooms that has great natural lighting). She was gracious enough to allow me to snap a few photos.
Archives for February 2015
The Meaning of Sanctuary
Like many of you who read Diana’s blog yesterday, I was moved to tears thinking about all of the captive chimpanzees who have spent most or all of their lives in biomedical research and who have never known a life of sanctuary. Instead, their only perspective of life thus far is from behind metal bars, with no autonomy, no hope. And her post got me to thinking about what it means to provide sanctuary for Annie, Burrito, Foxie, Jamie, Jody, Missy and Negra and what it possibly means to each one of them.
Webster’s dictionary defines sanctuary as “a place where someone or something is protected or given shelter” and “the protection that is provided by a safe place.” To me, that definition just doesn’t seem to convey the whole meaning of what I think the word sanctuary means.
I certainly agree that sanctuary means a “safe” place where someone is protected. But, I also think sanctuary means so much more than just that. To provide sanctuary also means to provide a place where each and every chimpanzee can feel the sun on their face and grass beneath their feet. It means providing opportunity for each of them to make choices on behalf of themselves, like whether or not to go outdoors or stay inside and nap or to play a game of chase or pass the troll with human caregivers. It also means providing a space in which there are no expectations of any of them other than for them to be themselves; essentially providing a place where they call the shots. And sanctuary means providing a home where they can feel hope, love and a place they consider their true home. This is what providing sanctuary means to me.
For Annie, sanctuary means being able to share the same space with her best friend Missy and fresh green grass.
Sanctuary for Burrito probably means access to fresh food!
Sanctuary for Foxie means she can finally care for her “babies”
For Jamie, sanctuary probably has a lot to do with walks around Young’s Hill and boots.
Sanctuary for Jody probably has something to do with foraging for plants on Young’s Hill.
For Missy, sanctuary means having the space to run, jump, swing, tight-rope walk and use every form of locomotion possible.
Peanuts, blankets and naps are what Negra seems to enjoy the most about sanctuary.
And finally, for me, sanctuary means that we humans are here for these chimpanzees, they are not here for us. I look forward to the day when all chimpanzees currently in captivity are retired to a true sanctuary.
In memory of Susan von Beck Turner
Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by James and Jennifer Douglas to honor the memory of their dear friend, Susan von Beck Turner, and shared this heartfelt message about her: “Susan touched the lives of many dogs and humans and made them better.”
Susan had a lifelong passion for rescuing dogs and saved hundreds, healing their health and spirits and finding them forever homes. When Susan’s own dog, Cardiff, began failing in health and she was unable to find the kind of boarding care she wanted for him, she decided to leave her job and went on to build a well-respected and successful dog boarding facility, Cardiff’s Lodge, here in Washington. Sadly, after a long illness, Susan passed away last October. Today would have been her 52nd birthday. If you would like to learn more about Susan and her life, you may do so here.
James and Jen, thank you so much for being a part of the chimpanzees’ family and for all you do to make their lives better. We are touched that you have chosen to honor Susan’s legacy of care and compassion in this way today.
And to Susan’s husband, Ed Turner, and your family, we share our deepest sympathy for your loss and wish for you the comfort and peace she brought to so many beings. We are so honored to be part of the difference that Susan’s life continues to make in the world.
What Hurts the Most
I was going to just post three photos of three amazing chimpanzees today (see photos below) with short captions, but I have been thinking about this CNN article all day. When I was looking at the photos, I thought even more about it.
The article, titled, “Chimps still stuck in research labs despite promise of retirement” is about the pronouncement the NIH made in June 2013 that they were going to retire all but 50 of the chimpanzees they owned to sanctuary. So far? Six have been retired and, according to the article, 24 have died.
It’s that last fact that really gets to me. Twenty four chimpanzees, who (unbeknownst to them) were potentially granted freedom from biomedical testing, died before they could experience a sanctuary life.
As things are right now, Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest could not take in retired NIH chimpanzees – Chimp Haven, a wonderful sanctuary in Louisiana, is the only sanctuary that has a contract with the government to retire NIH owned chimpanzees and therefore also the only sanctuary that receives federal funding.
But we know there are also over 400 chimpanzees who are privately “funded” by biomedical research institutions. They too deserve to know a life in a TRUE sanctuary, and they too are dying before they have that opportunity.
The NIH announcement a year and a half ago seemed to signal the beginning of the end of the use of chimpanzees in biomedical testing in the United States, but this means nothing to those individual chimpanzees who will spend the next however many days, months, or years waiting, only to die in a laboratory – never knowing there was an alternative life waiting for them.
I’m not going to pretend that I have the immediate solution to this problem. I know that many people are working on it, and it’s going to require a lot of trust, cooperation, and, especially, money. But, when I look into the eyes of the chimpanzees at CSNW who have known six and half years of a quality sanctuary life, it hurts to think of the chimpanzees out there waiting for the same chance.
We must maintain hope, however. And CSNW must work towards a future that includes retiring more chimpanzees at our sanctuary, whether from biomedical research or the pet and entertainment industries.
Their only hope lies with all of us.
Foxie
Jamie
Negra
This photo of Negra was in our last e-news communication about Share the Chimp Love)
Annie
Annie and Missy have been best friends for years.
In fact, their friendship was evident during our very first visit to meet them in the laboratory. But the relationship wasn’t always equal. Missy has very clearly always loved Annie, but for Annie, it was more than love. For a time, she was completely dependent on Missy. She would become visibly anxious if Missy even started to play with another chimp. And when Young’s Hill was built, it made it possible for Missy to go off on her own and not even be within Annie’s sight. When that happened, Annie would sit at the bottom of the hill, rocking, and waiting for her friend to return safely.
Thankfully, Annie has grown more confident since then. These days, she seems totally content to sit on the hill by herself while Missy is off patrolling with Jamie.
It seems that Annie has learned to navigate the world on her own, even if it’s only for ten minutes at a time.
Bill and Nicki Walters – more celebration!
Mari and Adam Osuna are continuing the three day streak of honoring Bill Walters for his birthday, and they are also honoring Bill’s wife Nicki, who was the first to sponsor-a-day in honor of Bill’s birthday.
As Mari and Adam suggest: “let’s keep the party going for Bill’s Birthday!”
We at the sanctuary are more than happy to do just that.
If you missed the first blog and you’re curious who this couple is who obviously have some very caring and generous friends, you can read about Bill and Nicki on their business page.
Many thanks to Nicki, Kenneth, and now Mari and Adam for sponsoring the last three days in honor of Bill.
Parties are an important part of sanctuary life, too. Celebrating and having fun with friends is good for everyone. Burrito is often the most enthusiastic party-goer amongst the Cle Elum Seven chimpanzees, and here are a few photos demonstrating his enthusiasm:
with his friend Foxie:
Lil’ Bigfoot
When Missy is walking out on Young’s Hill, she will often stop every once in awhile, stand up bipedally, and turn around to see what’s going on behind her. We’re not sure why she does this but it’s very endearing. She spends so much time bipedal that she’s earned the nickname Lil’ Bigfoot.
