Today has been a very tranquil Saturday at the chimp house. Chimps are grooming, interns are interning, caregivers are preparing enrichment, and the sun is OUT. While doing this mornings perimeter check around the expanded outdoor enclosure, I found myself enjoying the rays of sunshine and thinking of how lucky we are to know these 16 chimpanzees. I think of what they went through before being able to touch grass, or climb trees, or live in huge enclosures where they can be themselves and make decisions for once. I have to admit, my heart still breaks whenever those thoughts make their way in. And I have to admit, it doesn’t get easier. The more you learn about their past and also the past of other chimps living in sanctuary care around the USA, the more it hits you: they are who they are because they have been through so much, that they DESERVE to be themselves. They deserve to show us whatever side of themselves they are feeling like showing, whether it is a gentle moment like getting an elusive hand kiss from Negra or accepting the fate of getting hit with poop by Jamie.
Without going into too much details, last week I was talking to another colleague who had worked with other groups of chimps and I learned about how different the groups of chimps were in that sanctuary depending on the laboratory they were in. While some groups are bold and confident, other groups from other labs exhibit more abnormal behaviors like rocking and self harming. For some reason last night that’s all I could think about before bed, how did we get to the point in society where this was allowed and justifiable in the name of science? And why is this something still allowed to happen to other species? I think it all comes back to how humans have a false sense of superiority and until that changes I don’t think our species is going to be able to make the reparations needed to compensate for harm caused.
Now that we are all in our feelings, please enjoy some photos of chimps thriving in sanctuary care 🙂
Gordo
Don’t worry Jamie, no body can see you!
Negra eating corn!
Nothing kales Terry’s vibes!
Hola, SofÃa!
was Jamie trying to hir you with a sneak attack?!
She sure was!!!
Aw, man….ask Chad how long it takes her to get over that!! :laughing:
Thank you for your kind thoughts; I agree fully. The chimps are beautiful creatures who deserve rich, happy lives, and never should have been experimented on. My heart breaks for them and I feel so happy to see their joy.
Thank you, Sophia, for saying what needs to be said OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER!
Well said, Sofia! That sense of human superiority and entitlement has led to so many evils. Everybody who works and campaigns for the sake of animals – any animal – is a hero to me. So much work still to be done!
I think views may be changing in how people are thinking of other animals and our relationships with them.
I notice the very prominent philosopher Martha C. Nussbaum, who I think is at the University of Chicago, has a new book coming out called Justice for Animals.
In that book she builds on Rawls’ theory of justice to expand the view of rights and responsibilities of living things with a system she calls the Capabilities Model.
I have not yet read the book, but I have read her earlier articulation of that model, which she applies also to people with mental and physical disabilities, who are similarly ignored in Rawls.
I see Ed Yong’s recent tome, An Immense World, as challenging the idea that one can call some animals superior to others and James Brindle’s recent Ways of Being as challenging the idea even of separateness.
I am optimistic of a potential movement.
Amen, Sophia! (It keeps me awake many a night too) Never stop advocating and speaking up and out. Every voice makes a difference so please continue to share your thoughts, experiences, and stories. And I cannot say it enough so I’ll say it again, thank you for everything you do for the chimpanzees.
I would have guessed that the very last image was half sibling Mave because of the freckle centered on the bottom lip! One more shared trait?!
Oh, Sofia, thank you so much for these heartfelt thoughts. I agree wholeheartedly!! I’ve been an animal rights person since I was a little girl and blessed with parents who indulged my love of everything living that was flying, creeping, walking, climbing or swimming (well, maybe not mosquitos!!). I learned of Jane Goodall’s work in my late teens and haven’t looked back. I cannot imagine the sensibilities of people who believe it is okay to harm other species for human gain. I feel so grateful to have learned of all of the chimp sanctuaries and esp CSNW just a few years ago. This community of people is remarkable in dedication, perseverance, support and energy on behalf of the chimps and bovines who live there (and Barn Kitty, of course). Thanks to all who make it possible for these precious beings to have the lives they do now (even when Jamie is throwing poop!).
Thank you Sofia,
I think like minded people need to speak up whenever we can. I don’t know how or why it ever became OK to sacrifice some, to better others (humans)
But as a result we are left with a planet with way to many people and not enough other species or places for them to live in.
I’m so happy that you are at CSNW doing wonderful work with all the amazing residents.
Thank you.:revolving_hearts: