Most of the chimpanzees here at the sanctuary are pretty “low-maintenance”. Give Foxie some dolls and she can entertain herself for hours. Jody’s thrilled with a huge pile of blankets. All Negra wants is some peace and quiet and a patch of sun.
But Jamie is not easy to please. It would be fair to say that all Jamie requires is the unceasing, devoted attention of her caregivers almost every moment of the day. She might demand more of us – more time, more attention – than the other six chimps combined.
It’s hard to imagine someone with a personality like Jamie’s surviving decades in a research lab, where she wasn’t in a position to demand anything of anyone. The chimps experienced a lot of firsts when they moved here: fresh air, sunshine, good food, warm blankets, friends. But I think for Jamie, the ability to make humans do things for her is just as important.
It’s our honor to be bossed around by her.
Cheryl Snover says
The tides have turned in Jamie’s eyes…lol too funny.
Cherie Erwin says
What a wonderful gift for all of you!
Ellen McNally says
How could you not want to be bossed around by the beautiful face? But I’m sure sure you don’t mind at all.
Donna Oleksiuk says
What a lovely post today. The photos are amazing, as is the warm, heartfelt story. There are no words to tell you how grateful I am for the love and care you give these precious chimps. Your awareness of their different personalities and what they want and need provides them with such a nurturing and supportive environment. I get so depressed hearing about all the cruelty that animals in general endure and chimpanzees in particular. Your blog, reporting on the work you are doing, is a ray of hope for me. It fills my heart with so much happiness to see that these 7 chimpanzees at least are loved !! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU !!!!
Nancy says
Thank you Donna, for expressing so beautifully my own feelings about these seven chimps and their care-
givers!
Jo says
Beautiful post ~ she is an interesting Chimp indeed ~ they are all so special!! I wonder if she had a lot of some kind of “interaction” in her situation before or she was used to a lot of attention (not necessarily positive) ~ idk, you guys are true heros for all the Chimps and I send loving energies to settle on you all~ Hugs!
Kathleen says
I often think about how the chimps endured their confinement. Never understanding why they were there, why they had to live in fear and suffer (I don’t understand why they were there and it has been explained to me over and over!). It is incomprehensible to me. And Jamie, to live around humans and then be sent to a research laboratory, you would think she would harbor such mistrust for humans. And yet look at her! It is all right there in her eyes. At last she’s allow to use her magnificent brain as she chooses. No wonder she is demanding, she has a lot of catching to do! Thank you for giving Jamie the opportunity to be the person she should have always been allowed to be.
Holly says
It is incomprehensible to me also , until you look at human history. Less than two hundred years ago,,,, humans were kept as property in the US.
Hopefully we will learn from history,,,,,,,,,
Thank you CSN!!!! for all your hard work !!!!
Pauline says
She is enjoying life to the max. Anyone know why she loves boots?
Elizabeth says
Your guess is as good as ours, Pauline. 🙂
Francoise says
These pictures are beautiful proof of the high intelligence and humanity of chimpanzees — you need only look at their eyes to see their souls. Wonderful pics… and then she drifts off to sleep. How safe she must feel to do that.
Marisa says
Hi you lovely caretakers! This post speaks directly to the heart of what I care about for ALL beings- the ability to recognize and care for the individual. Everyone needs different things, and the lab settings, heck most of the medical and care industries do not allow for that. Thank you so much for letting Jaime’s be just who she is, have the needs she has, and caring for her in her own special way. Thank you CSNW 🙂