“True altruism is caring for places you will never visit, people you will never meet and a future you will never see.” – Author unknown –
I was looking at Jane Goodall’s Facebook page the other day and came across the above quote. As I read the words, I couldn’t help thinking of all of the people who have and will continue to advocate for chimpanzees across Africa who have suffered as the result of deforestation, the pet trade and the bush meat trade. Many of these people are fighting for animals in places they will never have the chance to visit.
And then I read the quote again and couldn’t help but think of all of the Cle Elum Seven supporters around the world. Many supporters will never be able to meet these chimps, yet, they continue to love and support them.
Reading the quote one more time, I thought about the countless number of people fighting for a future they were not sure they’d ever see; an end to biomedical research on chimpanzees in the United States. I think Diana did a great job of describing how our society has shifted toward “greater understanding and compassion” It takes a lot of people and a lot of time, but change does happen and a future we dreamed about is happening now.
Thank you to all those who care about and advocate for, the places, the people and the future you may never see.
Jamie
Jody
Burrito
Negra
Foxie (look close to see Annie’s head poking out in the background)
Missy (Foxie is in the background holding a troll doll.)
Annie
I can’t wait to read your blog when you are writing about all chimps that are now from all the bio medical lab cages and are living a free life in beautiful sanctuaries like yours. Thank you for all you do for these precious babies of yours. Beautiful article as always.
A beautiful quote and thoughtful post.
Hummmmm. One could define true altruism as devoted caregivers who tend to the needs of, and deeply love, seven chimpanzees who call CSNW home.
Love the 11th photo (don’t know which chimp it is) with arms folded and troll In hand. It looks like it was taken in a photographers studio. It would be a great calendar cover.
A lovely, heartfelt post, as always. I look forward every day to reading your comments and seeing the photos of the precious chimps. Thank the universe for all those humans who care for animals and are striving to better their lives. This is a timely new book on this topic:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/animal-emotions/201609/matthieu-ricards-plea-the-animals-is-must-read
Your message is so important .
I would like to share that the University of Wa. is still using and sacrificing animals to train health care providers. They use pigs to train our great medics. It is so unnecessary as we have so many good artificial models to use for training now. I hope everyone, including Wa. alumni, would encourage and support the efforts to convince the University to stop this practice. To date, they have ignored the requests.
Our beautiful Cle Elum 7 are our inspiration to help all animals and make their lives better.
I think that as much as we demand change from these organizations we should be demanding coverage by the media. Again, and again, and again….
The university of WA uses thousands of primates for research. They are building a new facility (underground) for primate research for around 130 million dollars. The university also uses thousands of dogs for so called research. They have ignored all other technology avalible other than abusing animals. It is shameful this horrific practice is still in place.