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Family

September 16, 2016 by J.B.

Despite all they’ve been through,

web_jamie-arm-around-foxie-yh-img_0211-copy

or perhaps because of it,

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these seven chimpanzees have become a family.

web_jamie-arm-around-jody-bamboo-hug-img_0247

After decades of isolation

web_jamie-arm-on-foxie-walking-together-yh-enrichment-in-mouth-eye-contact-with-camera-copy

and prolonged periods of fear and uncertainty,

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they have found someone to love,

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someone to trust,

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someone to comfort them in times of need.

Burrito hugging Annie

If we see ourselves in them,

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then perhaps it’s time we accept

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that they are our family, too.

web_missy annie open mouth kiss

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Friendship

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Comments

  1. Denise says

    September 16, 2016 at 7:06 pm

    This may be my favorite…

  2. Nancy says

    September 16, 2016 at 7:08 pm

    What a wonderful post!!!????

  3. Barbara says

    September 16, 2016 at 7:28 pm

    It makes me sad and happy at the same time. I am so glad they are out of their cages and learning to have a family.

  4. Roberta Herman says

    September 16, 2016 at 7:29 pm

    There’s nothing quite as endearing- as two chimpanzees exchanging hugs. <3

  5. Dalyce says

    September 16, 2016 at 7:38 pm

    The best post yet … I love it! Warms my heart to see them doing so well thanks to all of you!

  6. June says

    September 16, 2016 at 8:25 pm

    Amazing and touching photos

  7. Julie says

    September 16, 2016 at 8:25 pm

    My favorite post!!

  8. Cheryl Snover says

    September 16, 2016 at 9:34 pm

    Oh my word, this post runs so deep I could not stop the tears from falling. These sweet tortured chimpanzees have finally found what matters most in life. That is family, friendship, love and forgiveness. Like our little rescue dog Reba. She took about 6 months to realize she was no longer going to be beat and starved. She became the center of our family. She loves unconditionally. So sweet of you you post these incredibly moving and heart warming pictures. God bless all of us.

  9. Lynn says

    September 16, 2016 at 10:16 pm

    But of course we are family 🙂

  10. Kathleen says

    September 16, 2016 at 10:28 pm

    SO very touching. This made my day.

  11. Jeani Goodrich says

    September 17, 2016 at 2:09 am

    Oh J.B. What a wonderful post. It brought tears to my eyes to see how loving these beautiful beings are. Yes we are family and it feels good to know that. Thank you J. B.

  12. Sue Mulcahy says

    September 17, 2016 at 4:11 am

    Our son, J.B., Scholar, Primatarian,
    Master Craftsman, Musician and now Poet.
    So proud of you!

    • Lynn says

      September 17, 2016 at 8:20 pm

      He is a very special human.

  13. Pauline says

    September 17, 2016 at 5:15 am

    Just love this sequence of photos it’s so lovely to see them happy with each other They probably got more in their life and some humans have .. thanks to all the good care they get ..

  14. Donna Oleksiuk says

    September 17, 2016 at 6:53 am

    A wonderful, heartwarming post, as always. Amazing, intimate photos that display so clearly the depth of connection between these precious beings. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for providing an environment where they can experience friendship, love, and connection among themselves.

  15. Mary Watt says

    September 17, 2016 at 3:55 pm

    Indeed we are all family. Wishing all humans can learn from these beautiful beings and dissolve our human made differences.

    • Francoise says

      September 19, 2016 at 7:34 am

      Indeed, Mary. They can teach humans so much, if only we could truly see.

  16. Kathleen Klueh says

    September 23, 2016 at 7:16 pm

    I Have always thought chimps, elephants, tigers etc. have so many “human” characteristics. The chimps are feeling the same as a “human” would feel if we went thru what they have gone thru. All animals including “human animals” have shown so much compassion towards each other. I have seen so many pictures of chimps giving each other loving hugs, same as humans. People need to see the small cages chimps were living in. This is why I find it so hard to understand and except the treatment people give to these beautiful animals. They need to understand the pain and hear the crying baby Elle’s make when they are pulled away from their mothers. They need to see a tiger actually cry because of the treatment they are receiving. People need to see the small cages chimps were kept in and realize the emotions chimps feel when kept as lab chimps. I have a picture of my two grandkids with their arms around each other, looking into the camera. I actually have a picture of two chimps posing in the same way, arms around each other, looking into the camera, just like my grandkids. So much love chimps have to give. Humans please see this.

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