This post was going to be about Rayne and Honey B and what a fantastic duo they are. When they are doing their mall walking in the morning, I can hardly tell them apart. Rayne seeks out the more aloof Honey B for interactions all the time, and has even been joining her and Willy B in the front rooms at night as they bed down.
I captured a few photos of Rayne grooming Honey B today in the sunny front rooms and then converted them to black and white.
These photos are of a touching moment between two half-sisters who were recently united at the sanctuary. When I was watching them interact and taking these photos with the thought of being able to share this moment, my heart was bursting with joy. I’m so glad Honey B has Rayne now, and I’m so glad Rayne has Honey B. It wasn’t easy to get to this moment, but this is what sanctuary is all about.
Then I looked at the photos again. I asked myself how they would be perceived by people who don’t know this touching backstory or maybe don’t know anything at all about Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest. What would they see?
We all jump to opinions, myself very much included in that “we”. This tendency often serves us well because we can make incredibly quick judgements that help us avoid harm and allow us to make sense of the world. This ability to quickly assess our surroundings and form judgements, despite its advantages, may just be at the root of all of our societal problems. And there’s no clearer window into that than on social media. We can see a single image and jump to so many conclusions in an instant, even if we have practically no knowledge or real understanding of what we are looking at or what the overall context is.
This has been on my mind for a long time. I know that sanctuaries, us included, censor and filter the images and information that we share about the places where we work. For one, we don’t always trust that “the general public” will take the extra time to gain more information or to consider that they don’t know as much as they think they do about the realities of life in a sanctuary.
For the vast majority of you who are reading this, you get it more than the average person. You’re curious, and maybe you’ve been reading this blog for a bit so you have the broader context. The feelings that arise when you look at images of the chimps comes from that knowledge. But when we post something on social media, it can go out to a bunch of people that don’t have that same knowledge.
Here at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, we made the decision to try not to filter too much. We show all of the spaces of the sanctuary, knowing that when we share a video of the chimps in the front rooms people will say, “that is not a sanctuary because the chimps are in cages.” It’s not the first time I’ve written about this. See here and here.
We value transparency and truth, and we try to sprinkle in the tough stuff in between all the fun and polish. But I think we still fall short. We want to make sure our “brand” is positive and uplifting and shows the stark contrast between “before” and “now.” We have learned through comments what fulfills people’s expectations about sanctuaries, what they respond positively to, and what raises concerns or confusion; this learning process inevitably influences what we share.
It worries me.
I know that other sanctuaries avoid certain subjects altogether, or never allow public photos of certain parts of their facilities. I absolutely understand this. No one wants to spend their evening, after posting a beautiful photo, answering questions that come from ignorance, like “why are you torturing that poor creature. She should be free.” No one wants the place they love and are proud of to suddenly be the target of a social media mob. There are people out there who have zero qualms about fabricating or deeply twisting things, and some of them are able to convince others of their stories.
The problem is, by not sharing more, we sanctuaries are perpetuating the ignorance and the overly idyllic view of what a sanctuary “should” be. I fear that this cycle is getting worse. I don’t know exactly what the answer is. The truth is that it can be difficult to discern a good sanctuary from a terrible facility. A good sanctuary will make occasional mistakes (it turns out sanctuaries are run by humans, and humans are fallible). Plus, standards change over time (thank goodness).
There’s a whole heck of a lot of nuance when making judgements about a sanctuary or any facility caring for others, and people these days don’t seem to be very good at nuance. We don’t want to hear about grey areas. We want to form an opinion.
If one is truly attempting to ascertain the relative “goodness” of a sanctuary, one place to start is looking for oversight. For example, we voluntarily have a USDA license and are accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries. This is a start, but there are always going to be issues with the standards used to evaluate facilities, the subjective judgements of the humans doing the evaluating, and the decision whether to seek accreditation or not.
I will be sharing the updated interview I did with Jen Feuerstein about the group integration process, and we get into some of the realities of the challenges of caring for chimpanzees in captivity and the incredibly difficult choices that are made in the hopes that their lives can be improved. I promise we’ll share more on other difficult subjects in the future.
In the meantime, here are some more carefully-curated photos of Rayne and Honey B today 😉
Rosalie Allen says
Thank you for the beautiful photos and your excellent blog post. Since following you all, I have seen the great love and care given to all in your care and how they have peace, joy safety and choice in living their best lives. i have grown in knowledge and love of
the chimpanzees and bovines, following all of your adventures and share the blog with others.
Thank you for all you do. Can’t wait to see tomorrow’s choices!!
Vicky says
I don’t think anyone who regularly follows you would be under the illusion that these people are free. Their freedom was stolen many years ago. After a lifetime in captivity, they would never be able to survive in the wild. What sanctuary does is give them much better than they had before and the freedom to be who they are. If all I had ever known was a cage in a dark lab facility, I would think I had died and gone to heaven to arrive at the CSNW facility. The caging is not only for staff safety, but for theirs as well. I love my cousins, but I also know that they can be dangerous and unpredictable. It was a lack of safety protocols that led to the death of Harambe.
Linda C says
Yes, but sadly, your first two sentences are things that most of the general public doesn’t get. And it’s part of the reason that they turned off comments on YT- either there’s a rash of “they’ll rip your face off” everytime Joe Rogan says “chimp”, or there are people who refuse to accept that they could never return to the wild. Two extremes.
Seeing the caging and the doors, for me, helps me to understand how the sanctuary runs. And it serves as an example of why this place is superior to, ahem, a certain petting zoo
Laurie Mowat says
Ooh, I couldn’t possibly imagine what petting zoo you’re talking about!
Linda c says
😉
Diana says
Yes! It’s exactly those two extremes 🙁
Kelly says
It is a sad testament to today’s public that many on social media will not take the time to do a little research before spouting off their uneducated opinion. I applaud your efforts and devotion to your mission. Thank you for all the sacrifices I know you’ve made to better the lives of these chimps.
nancyt says
Dear Diana, you are blessed with a very special gift,knowing what needs to be done, getting it done ,knowledgeable in how to make this world a better place. Everyday there is a creative subject that enriches our lives and those you touch. People that are afraid to learn new things or ignorant will always criticize. Don’t worry -“We got your back”!
Thank you for HoneyB & Rayne.
Rosemary Stephenson says
BRAVO, Diana. BRAVO!
CarolR says
Diana, I couldn’t agree more. Social media is both a blessing and a curse. Unfortunately, so many ignorant people jump straight in, ‘experts’ on everything in the world….full of opinions but no knowledge and no desire to learn either. Of course, the beloved chimpanzees and bovines at CSNW aren’t totally free in the generally recognised meaning of the word, but they have choices about so many things that they never knew for so many years of their lives. If blame is what these people want to do, then look no further than the humans that caused their situation, not the wonderful ones who strive every day to give them their best lives now. You have only to see the massive improvements in their health, happiness and obvious meaningful interaction with their caregivers and each other, to know that this way of life benefits them. Thank you so much for the lovely photos and your thoughts.
Laurie Mowat says
I’m going to be 100% honest….I had to go and look at the pictures again to see what you were concerned about. Maybe the photos looked different in color but to me all I see is Rayne and Honey B.. But I absolutely understand the challenges that you and other sanctuaries face. It’s almost impossible in today’s world to avoid the “instant” response from people. It angers me that too many people don’t take the time to do any research before making, often times, vile statements. People take what they see and immediately accept it as truth.
I think some people do look at sanctuaries through rose colored lenses. They want to see all the cute, sweet, and aren’t they adorable moments and not the “real” moments. Life is messy for humans and animals alike. I grew up watching “Wild Kingdom”. Everytime a lion started the chase I inevitably covered my eyes and more often than not left the room. I wanted to hate those lions for killing other animals in that slow way, but those lions were magnificent creatures and that’s the way they survive. That’s the real world. Everything isn’t all kittens and roses. I know you’re always hesitant to show the chimps displaying. I’m sure certain people would find some reason to take offense at the chimps behavior. Again, I have to go back to people knowing about the animals they choose to support. I’m a life long learner so I get really riled up about people who just go about their lives without continuing to evolve. You can’t make judgements unless you are well informed! I don’t think that was any help but I support you all the way!
Laurie Mowat says
I was thinking more on this topic and though I’m sure every sanctuary gets negative things said about them some seem to garner a larger percentage of praise. I watch a bear rescue on you tube and because they were used in entertainment they now spend their lives under the care of humans. They live in a beautiful place but they are kept behind fences. The feedback doesn’t seem the same. In all the comments I’ve read nobody ever mentions those fences. But in the end it all comes down to humans. Too many sanctuaries exist because of us.
Diana says
That’s a really interesting observation about the bear sanctuary. I wonder if it has to do with people understanding that bears must be contained for safety, but people don’t understand that with chimpanzees because of the years and years of seeing them in close contact with humans. Even now with places like Myrtle Beach Safari and their huge social media following, the chimps and other animals are pictured side-by-side with trainers and not contained safely.
Nancy Duryea says
Diana, I really enjoyed enjoyed your thoughtful blog today and loved the pictures of Honey B and Rayne. I won’t repeat what’s already been said by other commentors (I agree with all of them) but I will tell you I have seen those comments you referred to by people who have no idea what life in a sanctuary is like, especially one for chimpanzees, and it has made me so angry and I have told them to please do some research before making assumptions about the care given.
The chimpanzee’s at CSNW are surrounded by love and given the best lives possible. I only wish all 16 could feel the love by all of us, the followers and supporters have for them. Thank you Diana, J.B and the rest of the staff for everything you have done and continue to do.
Linda C says
I don’t know of any other sanctuary where they get the tractor out at the request of the head chimp in charge, just to watch her race and give great lemur leaps of joy! So there!
Magda says
Diana, I have nothing but admiration and awe for what you all do to best care and support the hoofed and furry folks at the sanctuary. I love, too, the respect and caring staff and volunteers have for each other and the sanctuary residents. You’re pretty transparent about being spit at with water; being a poop target…it’s all the dynamics of living together.
Ultimately, it all boils down to doing what your heart tells you to do, and letting the accompanying joy ring out. I suggest you keep focused on the beings you care so much about, and keep employing integrity as your filter for tough decisions. Why give weight to opinionated folks who’ve not ever worked in a sanctuary when you are interacting daily with beings who benefit from your efforts? The proof is in the pudding!
Marya says
Diana, thank you for your heartfelt post and thanks to all the supporters of the sanctuary. I don’t live in an unrealistic and idealistic world that assumes that these beings could be or should be “free” in the wild after their years in captivity being harmed by humans. I follow Jane Goodall’s work and am always horrified about the number of chimps that are still captured in the wild by humans for “bush meat”, including the young ones. The Cle Elum group would not be safe in the wild. Is life in their large enclosures (yes, some of which are made of cage materials) better than the risk of them being killed by predators, animal or human, in the wild after a life of captivity? I say a resounding YES. The fact that they will all have outdoor space to run, forage, play, climb and chase around in the breeze is a Godsend, especially with those exquisite views. And the amount of work, effort, dedication, money, commitment, love, faith and community that goes into creating that for them is a miracle for which I’m grateful every day. I also believe fully that the chimps know they are loved wholeheartedly. Yes, even when Jamie is throwing poop! She’s free to exercise her strong-willed “opinions” without fear of horrible punishment or abandonment. Even the larger sanctuaries that have huge open acreage for their chimps still require boundaries around what’s safe for the chimps and what needs to be done to assure their good health and safety. Diana, keep doing what you, JB and all the staff and volunteers do best — giving these chimps the time, space, enrichment, love and environment to be able to thrive within the boundaries of their circumstances. Ah, yes, and blankets, of course! And boxes for Gordo to disassemble so he can sit/lie on them! And sufficient magazines to keep Jamie and Cy learning about the world. I discovered the sanctuary and this community by “chance” a few years ago after years (since the 1960’s) of being a Jane Goodall devotee, and my life hasn’t been the same since. I feel so blessed to know how many wonderful people are devoted to the sanctuary and to these chimps and chimpanzee lives in general. I can only describe it as enrichment in my own life. From reading the blog every day I know how many people there are who also feel blessed to be a part of the chimps’ lives from afar and a part of the community that supports them. And I know we all have great respect for the education, training, dedication, creativity and commitment that you, the staff and the board provide as foundations. Head nods and pant hoots for all you do!
Laurie Mowat says
They have only known two worlds. I think they probably love the freedom of throwing poop…I had forgotten about that!
elaine says
I am so sorry Diana that you have to put up with negative comments in e-mails. Though I enjoy reading peoples comments, maybe you should just eliminate or ignore ignorant peoples comments. You have enough work to do without wasting your time with them. Nothing you say will change their minds anyway.
marianne says
Dear Diana,
I don’t know what has taken place (I am NOT on social media….so nice; I can recommend it!!), but I am wondering wat makes you let it get to you.
Of course I understand that the sanctuary needs support, and probably growing support as CSNW keeps growing, but who cares what ignorant people say and think….
I do hope you feel supported by the community that understands sanctuary, and supports this wonderful place, because of the love and care you all give every day to make it what it is: a safe haven for chimps who cannot go back to the wild, to be loved and cared for, for the rest of their lives.
We all know that, and please do not let yourself doubt your work and mission because there are people who are just judgmental because they do not educate themselfs.
I love the fact that Honey B. has such a great relationship with her sister….She might just have found her match!
Caroline says
I agree with you whole heartedly, and have also been in a constant state of worry about the state of our society. You and your sanctuary team of wonderful humans have given me light in some very dark days and I thank you for making the lives of those beautiful souls so much better and filled with love and happiness, freedom of choice and most importantly youve given them a family. I admire you all, and will continue to support as long as I am able to, even if its only a bit at a time. Just know that you have more positive caring people behind you who love and support you and those other ignorant nonames can go fluff up a gum tree!
Françoise says
Diana, I can’t recall how I first came across CSNW but that was when a window opened for me. And l had a good education, a degree and grew up among voracious readers.
Newly following you, I set off to research the history of the labs, the research system, the plight of the victims, and the insanity and cruelty of the human species. I read, a lot, including journal writings of former lab staff who although they had participated in the process found a compassion and respect for the chimpanzees because they saw them as unique individuals and came to know how wrong it was. Many stayed only because they wanted to provide some form of friendship and compassion to those they grew to love and respect..
I also found photographs of the labs and have kept one in particular, in black and white, in my phone gallery: a chimpanzee sitting on its cold concrete slab of a “bed” in its tiny cage, a pained and desperate look on its face and dead eyes. No blanket. I get chilled just looking at it. It speaks ear-piercing volumes of why you must exist and serves as a reminder of why I must strive always to be a better person.
I’m not sure how people would react to such a photo without a lot of context and possibly backlash, but that, I think, is the crux of your battle. Sometimes you need more than words or a contemporary video that can be challenged, shot down, like everything else. Too many photos are Photoshopped, too many videos edited and spliced. What is real anymore? But a photo or video decades old and likely black and white of the history? How else do you convey the insanity and cruelty of the human species, educate about why sanctuaries exist without showing that reality? You would be accused of sensationalism.
“Unfortunately”, too many will never see a lab photo or video, will never hear or can’t imagine the echoing sound of multiple chimpanzees screaming in pain and fear. Never know what knock-down means. That is the real challenge, for no one of right mind could say CSNW’s set-up is cruel without knowing, at least intellectually, that side of the story.
Keep looking for the answer. We owe it to them, as you well know. Keep trying, keep hoping that the window that opened for me does for others. Keep wishing that there were more people with open minds eager to learn. But boy oh boy that is a Sisyphean task. You are not required to take it on but all here understand why you do.
Social media feeds on the close-minded and those desperate for controversy, action, flashing colors, insults, 5-second bites. Only those with intelligence, thick skin and a curious mind get the good out if it. Those who don’t are like waste that can’t be recycled. There are too many of them on social media.and sadly we can’t ship them out of sight. Keep on keeping on and hope for more windows.
Carol Ann Sceniak says
Beautifully said.God love love you all for giving our cousins love and respect they deserve.Ignore ignorent people .Thank you for taking care of all Gods special ones?:pray:
Jo Lathrop says
I’m sure all that weighs on you! However, I think of you all as a unit. Caregivers and chimps as one. As with any family, there are changes, growth spurts, fights, happiness, unhappiness, progress and static. This is the way of the Universe. I try to practice neutrality in all aspects of my life. I personally think you do a fabulous job and your efforts on behalf of the chimps is extraordinary!!! Cheers to all of you in the family! Hugs and love to all…
Kathleen says
This post is a perfect example of why you are different from many others. You openly engage in topics such as this.
You got me thinking….so I began by looking up the definition for captivity, which is used often to describe animals in zoos and sanctuaries.
captivity :
• the condition of being imprisoned or confined or enclosed
• the situation in which a person or animal is kept somewhere and no allowed to leave
Then I looked up sanctuary :
• a place of refuge or safety, and protection
• a place where you can feel at peace
• a place where birds or animals can live and be protected
Zoos allow wild animals to live in captivity. The very best of zoos, those who enrich the lives of the animals in their care while also working to try to save certain endangered species, will never be sanctuaries because they allow people to come and stare at the residents. Even with private enclosures for the animals to retreat into, people gawking at you would be unnerving I would think.
CSNW seems to fit the general definition of sanctuary. Simply put you tick all the boxes of my limited definition. Safety, protection, feeling of peace, and sanctuaries give the animals dignity. It should be obvious that in order to care for wild animals, protection is a priority. You need barriers between the staff and animals so both the humans and the animals are kept safe. Such is life in captivity, your home is “enclosed” and you are “not allowed to leave” as the definition states. Even the primate sanctuaries in Africa and the Borneo call their residents in at night to sleep in the comfort and safety of their night cages. And, the forested habitats that they explore during the day are also “enclosed”. While chimpanzees are free to roam within the forest confines, and free to do as they choose, they are not free in the sense of actually being wild. We humans took that from them. Sanctuaries exist because of humans. It is the best we have to offer. I am grateful for the sanctuaries we have.
Adding to the misunderstanding that chimpanzees need to be kept safe is the unfortunate reality that many people believe chimpanzees are cute and cuddly because we have allowed the entertainment industry, the greeting card industry, and the advertising industry to portray chimpanzees as funny, cute and cuddly, as if they were domesticated pets. While there are countless reputable organizations educating the public that, after a certain young age, chimpanzees should not be handled by humans because they are extremely strong and can react violently, the visuals of little chimps being handled and loved dominates. Even actors who are prominent spokespersons for environmental/endangered species issues are in films using a young chimpanzee as a prop for a chuckle. These portrayals are damaging to chimpanzees as a whole tainting peoples ideas on how chimpanzees exist in “captivity”.
Unless one is curious enough to do a deeper dive into primates, their use in entertainment, space missions, laboratory biomedical experimentation, and so on……these people will unfortunately remain ignorant.
Add in the reality that as a society we have lost our civility. It is far too easy to judge, wrongly discredit, and criticize something you know nothing about while hiding behind a meme or a computer screen.
CSNW is an exceptional sanctuary. From your entire staff, doctors, volunteers, student interns, and supporters, all of you have one and only one priority — to ensure your residents live the very best life they possibly can. The love you give is apparent in the transformation each and every chimpanzee has undergone while in your care. I do not need to see inside every room to understand you run a clean, organized, tight ship. But I appreciate it when we all get a peek at the inner workings. It is a part of who you are. It is a part of “your brand”. Open, honest, compassionate, organized, hardworking, and maybe, just maybe not always perfect. But I believe you strive for perfection. That’s good enough for me.
In a perfect world, the original “owners” of the chimpanzees would pay for their lifetime care. This burden would not fall upon the sanctuaries. But, fundraising also falls on you. Yet another reality of running a sanctuary. Buildings, safety, caging, alarms, electric fencing, bulletproof glass, hydraulic doors, locks, all cost money. Not to mention medical surgery rooms, and equipment, kitchens, heated flooring, washers/dryers, water spigots, enrichment, food, etc., etc., etc…..And you provide it all and then some!
So share as you see fit. I understand everyday isn’t bliss. I understand your challenges and I can only try imagine your hardships. And while I enjoy your carefully-curated photos and stories, if you choose to share a not-so-perfect day, I can handle it. I trust you implicitly.
Don’t let the haters get you down. As someone above my post wisely said “We’ve got your back.” 🙂
(and the people who complain probably have no idea that they have been spending their hard earned tax dollars to keep chimpanzees and other animals in biomedical laboratories….it might be wiser to complain about that than to worry about safety fencing and enclosure caging.)
Linda C says
Brava, Kathleen.
I haven’t seen these, either.
But you and others jave brought.up an important point: CSNW has the Jane Goodall seal of approval. Drop that mic
Marya says
Kathleen, I love your comments and agree totally with all you’ve said! Thank you for these keen and insightful observations!
Deanna says
Oh Boy… this blog really spoke volumes to me and I totally get it… WWS was extremely careful about what went out. Sanctuaries are not the only ones to be so careful… most zoos are also. I LOVE how transparent you are. I love the true education you put out there and that you are not afraid to share some of the bad things that occur when working with chimps. Lets face it! Chimpanzees are capable of such brutality and you do such an excellent job of walking the line to share the good with the not so good. There are always going to be ignorant people in this world and there is nothing that we can do about that. Just keep on the path, do your best and keep on caring for those that humans have wronged so deeply. I think we all can agree that in a perfect world all the wild animals in captivity whether in zoos or sanctuaries should be able to live out their lives free and in the wild. But that idea is also frought with tragedy. How many wild spaces are left? The “Wild” is no garden of eden. Habitats are being lost at record speed. Animals cant find enough food or water, they are in danger being poached or captured for the illegal pet trade or any number of other horrors… my point is that the wild is not all that great these days. There are a million different ways to look at this issue… bottom line… you do great work. You do a really great job educating those who want to be educated and the chimps and bovines in your care want for nothing are well taken care of and most of all they are lived beyond measure…
Chris says
Diana, I echo all comments here but Francoise and Kathleen said it best for me. Bravo and thanks to them for their most thoughtful, truthful and intelligent words but my most profound thanks goes to you and everyone at CSNW for which has to be..one of the most difficult jobs in the world but one you all do with the most utmost passion and care for these precious beings.
Judy says
CSNW has supporters who express themselves so well and understand thoroughly what an incredible place it is that these 16 call home. I agree with all that has been said here. Bravo to all. Special thanks to Kathleen for her words of wisdom and to the staff, supporters, volunteers of CSNW.
Diana says
Wow, everyone. You just keep proving again and again how thoughtful you all are. Thank you. I definitely didn’t write it as a fish for compliments, but we do really appreciate all of your support of the sanctuary and your understanding of the nuances of sanctuary life. I was thinking a lot about other sanctuaries when writing this and just how tough it is to try to do good and be transparent in this day and age. It’s so true that the loud voices are amplified but they don’t usually represent the majority, and that’s such a good thing to keep in mind.
Linda C says
I remember seeing a rude comment from someone in England claiming to be married to the vet at a primate sanctuary, criticizing that Miss Vicky was in a cage and that the enrichment lying around made it look unkempt. Following yours gave me enough knowledge to ho after her comment. Humanity made me point out to her that it’s a small world, and people with common concerns should band together, not create divisiveness. The expression “smdh” came to mind. It’s not our living room. it’s Miss Vicky’s. And if she’s happy and safe, that’s all that matters.
Paulette says
You are loved.
Gloria says
I love your post. I understand exactly what and how you feel. I live in a town that housed hundred upon hundred of beautiful Chimps. It took years to close them down. They lived in long cinder block buildings with no windows in SMALL cages. I love talking about how the lucky ones that didn’t die were saved. I love talking about Northwest and your beautiful facility. Your staff are amazing. But, no one really wants to hear, I think they just listen to appease me. My dream is to win a lottery and help very sanctuary possible. like you said people will say what they want with not knowing anything ?