Today I was thinking about what we know about the chimpanzees at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest – all of those little things that add up to who they are, or at least how we see them.
I was thinking about how different experiences shape personalities and how exposure to new environments, activities, and other beings lead people to discover new things about themselves.
And I was wondering if the chimpanzees realize how much better they know themselves now than they did eight and a half years ago.
Amy M says
Diana — What a fascinating question! Perhaps it doesn’t matter — perhaps what matters is that they live fully every single second now. But still a fascinating question. 🙂
Diana says
I think it probably doesn’t matter. The day to day is more relevant to them.
Alice Hardison says
Hi, I working on trying to ID the Cle Elum seven. Burrito is easy handsome male that he is, and I thought the top picture is Foxie because she is carrying a doll and it looks she has some white hair around the mouth (maybe it’s the way the light is hitting it) and I thought the middle picture was Jody due to the pink nipples. After reading that they are Foxie and Jamie I know I’m wrong. Anyway can you help me out?
Diana says
You did great, Alice – Foxie, Jody, and Burrito 🙂
Kathleen says
I believe they do understand that changes in their lives have been for the better. It’s called confidence, courage, independence. I see it in shelter dogs who find this inner beauty in knowing themselves if given the chance to shine as an individual. There is no doubt that the chimps individual experiences make them who they are today. Sanctuary life makes this discovery possible. Your questions bring to the forefront the importance of why every chimp still sitting in a laboratory setting (waiting for retirement thanks to the NIH) needs to be retired to an acredited sanctuary. Every chimpanzee deserves the right to discover who they are and to do so they need the freedom that only a life in sanctuary can offer. I have seen an explosion of change in each chimp, it has been inspiring to witness. How could they not feel and see and understand their personal growth? Beautiful food for thought Diana.
Diana says
Beautiful thoughts from you, Kathleen. Thank you!
Francoise says
We know that chimps can recognize themselves, plan, feel, strive to make amends, have compassion, and more. So why would they not feel and recognize their development and the improvement in their lives? I’m not a primatologist but there is no question in my mind. The reduction (though not the elimination, sadly) of the obsessive and reactive behaviors they learned in the lab, that they get so much enjoyment now, and that they can choose to participate in enrichment must surely be evident to them and, for me at least, evidence of their new joy in life.