Negra doesn’t pull any punches. She knows exactly what she’s willing to put up with and exactly what she isn’t and she has no problem letting you know where she stands. When we humans do something to displease her she typically threat barks at us, hits the caging, and if we’re in the greenhouse she throws (repeatedly and with force) bark mulch in our faces. If there is a chimpanzee equivalent to swearing, I am pretty sure we hear a lot of profanity directed our way. This in turn usually elicits the quick back-up of her chimp family against the offending human. What would we do to displease our beloved Queen Negra that would call for such reprimands you might ask? Oh, things like offer her something during meals that she already told you she doesn’t want. Serve something stupid when there is obviously a better choice right in front of us, like lettuce or night bags. And sometimes just hand her something she actually asked us for!
Over time, Negra has chosen to interact with her caregivers more and more. And given her particularly heartbreaking history, that’s no small gift. Negra loves us to dance for her and typically nods her head and taps the ground along with us. That said, if she suddenly decides our dancing skills aren’t up to par she gives us a disgusted wave of dismissal and turns her head away. Negra also frequently pushes her lips through the caging to offer us kisses and while we would never miss an opportunity to offer the back of our wrist for a Neggie kiss, it’s truly 50/50 as to if you’ll get a kiss or a sharp poke and a threat bark. As I type this Negra is clacking her teeth against the caging and clapping loudly to alert us to the fact that it is dinner time (and in her mind it has been for the last hour).
Negra is akin to the sharp-tongued, intolerant, sometimes a little bit scary older family member who tells it like it is and yet, you can’t help but love her all the more for it. And none of this means that Negra doesn’t have the most endearing, sweet side as well. Like most of us I suppose. We are thrilled she finally gets to have her say, speak her mind, and be heard with love and respect. Even if it does mean picking bark mulch out of places bark mulch has no business being for days afterward.
Beautiful Negra:
The photographs of Queen Negra are beautiful and, at the risk of sounding silly, brought tears to my eyes.
Thank you all for your understanding and kindness towards Negra when she is letting you know she is displeased. It is so great that she can now express her feelings and still be loved! And please, keep working on your dance steps….
It’s not silly at all, Sherry. Negra is beautiful and we are so glad she finally gets to express herself and spend her days exactly as she chooses.
This wonderful blog, and many pages and internet sites about the plight of chimpanzees (and elephants) — and their beauty and intelligence and humanity — too often bring me to tears. Tears of love and of despair, unfortunately.
But you do have to love Negra. She has well earned the right to do whatever she wants to, damn it, even if we pay a “price” for it, so to speak, a price that is a speck of dust compared to the garbage we have ditched out to her for decades.
Much love to Queen Negra and all who care for her!
Negra often warned us of her irritation with a wrist shake.
Are you speaking of the same sweet innocent looking chimp in these lovely photographs? Well, we all have our moments. I am thankful that she has people who care about her now and that she can be accepted the way she is, however she chooses to display her feelings.
I learn a lot from Negra. All Hail The Queen!
As I look at these endearing, beautiful photos of Negra I cannot imagine our Queen barking or tossing mulch at her caregivers! Katelyn, are you making all this up?! Look at her, she is the picture of innocence for crying out loud! : ) Negra has that whole pouty bottom lip thing going on and her eyes steal your heart, there is always such a soft, forlorn look in her big dark eyes. Sigh….
The fact that Negra survived her dark past and now chooses to interact with humans, let alone trust them, is amazing isn’t it. Not sure I could be so brave and trusting again. As Sherry stated, Negra’s photos and her story bring tears to my eyes too. I love your Queen. But this is the first time, I believe, that I have read such an honest portrayal on her multifaceted personality. I smile thinking about how she rules like a Queen, dismissing the dancing court jesters when she has had enough, clapping when she wants more, and waving her iron fist when she needs to get point across. All Hail The Queen!
Kathleen,
I know! No one ever quite believes such stories about Neggie. 😉 As you noted, we all have such multifaceted personalities. Negra absolutely has a sweet, soulful and even playful side we see more of. Just this morning she came over to offer me a genuine kiss in greeting before heading in to check on breakfast. She particularly adores interacting with JB and Diana which is so heartwarming. I am continually astounded by the chimpanzees’ capacity not only to survive, but to actually thrive despite all of the years of trauma they’ve endured, when given the opportunity. I am with you in that I don’t think I would have come out the other side of what they have experienced with such strength and grace. And I have so much admiration for Negra in that whether she’s happy or annoyed, she still chooses to show up every day in what’s happening in her life. We are profoundly grateful that she, and all the chimps, are able do that in whatever way they need.
Thanks for the reply Katelyn. Your last two lines just made me weepy. The idea that Negra chooses to show up everyday is humbling. The fact that she can now decide what she wants to do is moving. But the very best part is that she surrounded by all of you who love and care for her and you just let Negra be Negra. (And I’m still not sure I’m buying that whole much tossing story!) ; )
The beautiful Negra! Long live the Queen!
The first and third photos are so adorable and it doesn’t look at all like the chimp you are talking about in this article. You’re writing makes the whole scene so vivid, Katelyn. She looks so sweet and so innocent and those two pictures she seems to be saying “don’t believe a word that Katelyn is saying.”
I think of all the years they have spent in cages being tormented by humans and no attention at all and now expressing themselves as they should is a good thing and they deserve to be heard. Thank you for sharing the story.
Beautiful pictures. She always has that far away look. I never heard about this side of her, except for the dancing. Our Queen Negra has been thru so much in her life due to inhumane humans. She finally has the chance to “let off steam”. After being in a small cage all her life, I think she has the right. I understand the bad attitudes, thanks for letting her “express ” herself. You guys are great!