Negra has always worn her trauma on her sleeve.
The first time we met her, she wouldn’t even show us her face. She hid behind a solid metal panel at the end of a bank of four cages in the windowless laboratory basement that had been her home for years. The only part of her that we really saw that first day was her hand as she reached upwards through the food chute to beg for handfuls of peanuts.
When she arrived at the sanctuary she was inactive and socially withdrawn. She could be anxious around her caregivers and was prone to overreaction when touched. When she finally had the opportunity to go outdoors, she was reluctant and would often become overwhelmed with fear when she ventured too far outside.
I hate to admit it, but we always had low expectations for Negra. Some chimps retain their fighting spirit against all odds. Negra was spiritless. If we could just give her a year in sanctuary, we thought, it will have been worth it. Maybe she wouldn’t take advantage of all the new opportunities available to her, but she deserved to finally have the choice. It was a low bar but we were still afraid she wouldn’t reach it.
But she surprised us. Over the last ten years, she gradually became more social with her chimpanzee and human friends. She grew more accustomed to being touched, even allowing her caregivers to provide basic medical treatment. She has spent more time outdoors and ventured further and further into her habitat.
I don’t want to overstate the extent of her transformation. Negra still spends the majority of her time alone in bed, her head shrouded in a blanket for security. Negra’s progress, like Negra herself, has been slow.
But something unusual is happening right now. The pace of change has increased to the point where it seems like each day brings a new surprise, each one announced with excitement over the two-way radios:
“Negra was the first one outside this morning!”
“Negra is at the top of the hill!”
“Negra climbed to the top of the new structure!”
“Negra is wrestling with Missy!”
“Negra is playing with me!”
“Negra is spooning Jody!”
This morning, Diana called over the radio to say that Negra was playing with her in a way that was more typical of Burrito. See for yourself in the video above. This is the kind of thing we live for. Not because we enjoy playing with Negra (though we do), but because we’re excited to see her become more active, playful, and trusting. We love seeing her become more engaged with the world around her.
Why is this happening ten years after she arrived at the sanctuary?
There are a number of factors that enable chimps (and other animals, including humans) to recover from trauma. Things like agency, autonomy, a sense of safety and security, and a physical and social environment that allows for species-typical behavior are all critical. But one thing we mustn’t overlook is time. It took Negra 35 years to accumulate the traumas she experienced while being torn from her mother and her home, having her children ripped away from her again and again, being housed in tiny, barren cages, and being subjected to invasive experimentation. These memories, and the resulting patterns of behavior, can’t be undone overnight. And Negra will set her own pace.
Will these changes last? We don’t know. Negra has come out of her shell before only to retreat again. But for now we are going to play as much tug-of-war with this silly, seemingly care-free Negra as we can. And more importantly, we are going to enjoy watching her socialize more with her chimpanzee family and spend more time foraging on Young’s Hill.
Kathleen Klueh says
It’s so wonderful to hear of the progress Negra has made. Seeing the video of her playing is so encouraging. The first pictures I would get had her hiding under her colorful blankets. Then I started seeing her sitting up on the hill just enjoying the sun, grass and fresh air. All free to enjoy. Her passed has scarred her for life and I’m afraid that’s something that will never go away. Your help and loving actions, exciting treats, toys and all the other amazing gifts and time you share with her are showing Negra that there is a happy life. Thank you so much. Kisses to you Negra ??
Karen says
What a resilient chimp Negra has proven to be! Miracles happen in the environment created at CSNW. She will continue to surprise us and herself because when she gets up from her naps, she has proven to be a trailblazer at times. Go Negra!
Sandie Allaway says
Reading this post brings such a sense of hope and joy for Negra. I can’t imagine the fear and pain she had to endure all those horrible years. She now knows only love and safety because of you. ?
Cherie Erwin says
Where there is compassion, there is hope.
Kathleen says
There you are! I see you Negra! And you are more beautiful and silly than I ever imagined. It is, no doubt, scary to trust, to put yourself out there in the hopes of expressing and feeling and receiving joy after so much fear and pain filled your life. Negra, your courage is extraordinary.
I have this little quote I saved from Fauna Foundation’s website or blog. It made me think of Negra and so many chimps who have found joy in their second chance in sanctuary. Here it is, my apologies (it may have been Gloria?) to the original author, all I have is a screen shot that read as follows:
“Anyone can give up, it’s the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone in the world would understand if you fell apart, that is true strength.” ~For Mary Lee, Tatu and Loulis
Negra is showing us she is full of true strength, it just took time, sanctuary, and compassionate and loving care givers to help her to rediscover it. Thank you all for giving Negra time and freedom to blossom. I am moved beyond words after reading this post. I hope Negra’s changes last, she deserves all the joy her heart can hold. As Diana said recently “Welcome to the sanctuary New Negra!”
Carla René says
Now THAT is one amazing, happy blog post, Jeeb!!
And for anyone interested, I have made another small update to the Queen’s portrait and posted it to my Facebook blog. You can find the post here:
https://www.facebook.com/glittercatstudios/photos/a.556888154647298.1073741836.102182326784552/723329714669807/?type=3&theater
Enjoy, you Neggie lovers!
Cheers.
Jane Olinger says
Perhaps Negra is experiencing what I have seen in human people recovering from trauma. It seems to be a kind of “healing jetlag”. Venturing forth beyond what was known, beyond the fear and pain of the trauma can be exhilarating but exhausting, scary and quite disorienting. Retreating to one’s literal or figurative blanket tent may allow for regrouping and integration.
Tobin says
I concur with all of the above statements. When I first discovered the CSNW and read the biographies of the residents, I was aghast and aggrieved at the matter-of-fact cruelty inflicted upon Negra and the other six inmates in the purported interest of “Science”. To this day, I ask myself how anyone could ever imprison and mistreat a great ape, let alone people so endearing and fascinating as the chimpanzees who were given sanctuary in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains.
I am always aware that Negra and her neighbors and carry within themselves scars upon their souls which were inflicted upon them by humans. Even in resilience, the scars endure; one can sense it in their eyes. Thus, whenever I see Negra playing tug-of war with a caregiver, or Missy and Annie playing with each other, or Foxie and Burrito roaming Young’s Hill, or Jody foraging through the grass, or Jamie enjoying a delicacy of wasp larvae, it is cause to rejoice. Somehow, someone (the founders of the CSNW) brought these seven from death into life. Indeed, where there is compassion, there is hope. Thank you for what you have done to renew and heal the world.
jackie says
This post brought a tear to my eyes. It is heartbreaking to think what these very special beings have suffered at the hands of humans. Thank you to all the people that have given the beautiful Queen and the other chimps such love and wonderful care.
CeeCee says
Thank you for the wonderful writeup JB
Negra’s story reminds me of a dog we adopted who was sick, tired, and sad, and I really think just wanted to die. But little by little she started to feel better, she learned she could trust us, and started to love and play with her new dog and cat family. One day she felt good enough to run for the first time in a long time, and she turned back to look at me with such joy! It made me cry. I have never been so proud of anyone. I’m sure most people around us thought what a funny run that old dog has…. But I knew what went into it.
We really felt good about making the second half of her life, easy, happy, and fun, and filled with love.
Negra too seems to be having a great second half, thanks to all of you wonderful people at CSNW
Thanks for all your good work.
Thyra Rutter says
This is incredibly heartwarming. I just love Negra.. she is so amazing, resilient, intelligent, but her hurt runs deep.. keep loving on her and letting her find her way, I will bet that she will continue to surprise you <3