September 20, 2011 was a big day for the chimpanzees at the sanctuary. On that day, a physical door opened for the first time, but the door was also a symbol. The physical door allowed the chimpanzees onto the two-acre habitat that we call Young’s Hill, named after donors Karen and Don Young. It’s opening symbolized the greatest measure of freedom than the chimpanzees had possibly ever experienced.
Freedom, wide-open spaces, nothing overhead, and being out in the elements came with a palpable amount of fear, along with the incredible excitement that the chimpanzees and the humans watching them were all feeling.
All of the chimpanzees went onto the hill that day. But in the days and weeks following, some of them were hesitant to venture out again. Their fears and uncertainty got the best of them. Jody and Foxie, as you’ll see in the October, 2011 video below, needed a little encouragement from Jamie even two weeks after the hill was available to them on a daily basis.
Jody and Foxie have both found their courage and now often seem nonchalant on the hill these days. But it’s still a different space than the familiar safety of walls and bars. The hill is nature – it transforms on a daily basis with the weather and the cycles of life that are constantly in play. It’s less predictable. When there’s snow on the ground like there is now, it can present very real physical challenges getting from one place to another.
Today I watched Jody traverse the snow-covered hill with grace, following and sometimes even leading her friends. Jody is a different chimpanzee than the Jody I met in 2008 and even the Jody that I knew last year.
I happened by a quote attributed to Nelson Mandela that I believe speaks to Jody’s continually evolving bravery. I changed it slightly:
Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave are not those who do not feel afraid, but those who conquer that fear.
Today’s bravery award goes to Jody.
With Negra’s permission, Queen Jody ~ Queen for a Day!!!!!!!!!! Love them all so much. Thanks to you all and hugs and kisses to you all!
Oh Diane, this is a lovely post. When I watch the video my stomach flip-flops with anxiety for Jody and Foxie. Both girls are so brave to overcome their fears of the unknown, no matter how beautiful and tempting packaging appears. (I am pretty sure I would not have the courage to venture outside!) Can’t imagine how you all felt during those days when Young’s Hill was so new and foreign to the chimps! One of my very favorite videos (Out Of The Box?) is of the first day you opened those doors and the chimps ventured out on the hill. That’s a tear jerker, in a wonderful way. I often think about their emotional and psychological turmoil during that time. Their courage is so inspiring!
Since you shared a quote, I’ll leave you with a quote that I think of when I see chimpanzees living a peaceful life in sanctuary:
“Before I knew you, I thought brave was not being afraid. You’ve taught me that bravery is being afraid and doing it anyway.” ~Laurell K. Hamilton
Thank you, Kathleen! Perfect quote!
Little by little a little becomes a lot.
A Tanzanian proverb.
What an inspirational post and such beautiful quotes. Thank you.
Those first steps onto the grass and out into the open were really something to watch. I still get choked up every time I see it. Thank you for the post.