Note: The video above may be difficult to watch, especially for those of you who have known and loved Jody either in person or through this blog, as it shows her family reacting to her death. But I hope you can find a time when you feel able to share in our experience of saying goodbye to Jody.
As Diana mentioned, we recently discovered Jody lying on the floor, largely unable to move below the neck. After doing initial diagnostics, we set up an appointment for an MRI to assess her long-term prognosis, with a surgeon at the ready to avoid having to bring her back at a later date if something could be done. Her condition suddenly began to deteriorate on Sunday and we moved up the appointment, but she quickly passed. Yesterday, Dr. Erin and I took Jody’s body for a postmortem MRI at the Veterinary Specialty Center of Seattle and a necropsy at the University of Washington. Preliminary results suggest a degeneration of the ligaments around the C1-2 vertebrae and compression of the spinal cord.
The sudden onset of Jody’s condition surprised us, as there was no fight that morning and no loud noise overnight (we monitor the chimps via remote cameras outside of regular work hours). She was discovered in one of the smaller “front rooms” behind a dividing wall, out of direct view of the cameras, so unfortunately we simply don’t know what caused her paralysis. Given her location and the nature of the injury, one possibility is that she fell a short distance. Why she would have fallen off a step or bench is another question. In hindsight, we may have witnessed her exhibiting a few episodes of “transient quadraparesis,” or momentary paralysis below the neck, in the past, but it is difficult to tell if a chimpanzee is unable or simply unwilling to get up when they can’t tell you what they are experiencing. While we can’t say definitively what led to the deterioration of the structure supporting and protecting her spinal cord—whether it was progressive or from some prior acute trauma—it may have have been compromised to the point where a less severe injury could have more profound consequences. In addition to causing paralysis, her condition involved other parts of her body, affecting vital organs, and she ultimately had no chance of recovery.
In the days before she passed, Jody was understandably frightened at times but became comfortable with us entering the room and caring for her. It’s a strange experience for us to be directly caring for an awake chimpanzee and I’m sure it was strange for Jody, too. She was courageous and accepting, but she also felt comfortable telling us to go to hell when she’d had enough. If we could have spared her those days, knowing what we know now, we would have. That said, we did our best to keep her comfortable while we tried to learn more and, from a selfish perspective, we were fortunate to get to spend time with her. CSNW’s founder, Keith, even made it in time to see her, as did many of her local volunteer caregivers. In typical Jody fashion, she greeted them each warmly.
One challenge that is particular if not unique to the sanctuary world is the way we have to transition from medical team to grieving family in the blink of an eye. Our staff and volunteers did an incredible job keeping the other chimps’ needs in mind and we worked to give Jody’s body back to them as soon as we could so that they could also process her death.
It shouldn’t surprise anyone that chimps react to the death of a loved one in different ways. Some are scared or anxious, while others are accepting. Some are even empathetic enough to comfort the humans around them, as you’ll see. It is a unique privilege to witness—and even participate in—what is essentially a chimpanzee wake. The Cle Elum Seven had been a family for 17 years, and some of their relationships go back even longer. Jody’s death is a profound loss for them.
The rituals look familiar. They kiss, hold, groom, and caress. These are the mechanisms of bonding and the expressions of affection that held them together in life. Perhaps in death they are just a continued expression of love. Or perhaps they are an attempt to hold on for one more moment to something they know is slipping away. If you had watched the humans spend time with Jody upon her death, you would have seen the same kinds of things.
I have to admit that there’s a part of me that wonders if this should have been kept a private experience between the chimps and their caregivers, and I’m sure some others feel similarly. But when we met Jody and her family in that laboratory basement, we were determined that she would become known to the world, or at least some small part of it. So many chimps like her suffered and died anonymously. After 32 years in the lab, Jody finally had a life worth living and people got to know her as the individual she was. So many of you fell in love with her over the last 15 years, as we hoped you would. For all of you who have loved her and supported her, it is your time to grieve with them, too.
We’ll have a lot more to say about Jody and our love for her in the coming days and weeks. For my part, I will just say for now that I was forever changed when we first met her in that awful laboratory basement, and even more so once I got to know her. She was a truly beautiful person.
After Jody’s family said their goodbyes, they returned to normal routines. Today was spent patrolling, eating fresh spring grass, and gathering up the bountiful lunch forage. It was notably quieter without Jody’s dinosaur food grunts, but the gang honored her memory by stuffing their hands, feet, and mouths with as many peppers as they could hold. Life will go on, differently. Like us, the chimps will always carry a part of her with them.
i was very moved by the sight of Negra grooming her friend one last time, i was reminded of my mother, combing the hair of her husband of 43 years after he passed. I oguess we’re not so fifferent, and then life goes on, with a hole in it.
I agree, I found it very moving :purple_heart:
I watched the video on YouTube, and was struck by several things. First, the obvious love and care that Jody received in her last days, and the respect with which she was treated. The respect shown the rest of the troop in allowing them to say goodbye to Jody was also very touching. It was obvious in watching their behavior, some grooming Jody one last time, others reaching out to each other for reassurance during the stressful and sad moment…they are not so different from us. Thank you for caring for these souls and giving them their lives back after they’ve been so badly treated.
My condolenscences to both the chimpanzee family and the caregivers over the lost of Jody. I think both chimp groups and caregivers will miss her and there will be times when they remember something she did that make them happy. Just curious did the other chimp group get to say goodbye to jody or just the group whe lived with the longest.
Hi Lynda – While Jody did live for several weeks with Willy B, Honey B, and Mave in 2019, we were not able to make the same arrangements for them.
Thank you for sharing this story. Alhough sad, it shows more of the similarities between chimps and humans. And thank you for all you do for these wonderful creatures.
Very moving to watch but also feel very priveleged to share in their goodbyes to Jody. She was so loved and will be greatly missed. My heart goes out to all the caregivers and chimpanzees. Thank you
Thank you for sharing this good-bye video. You folks have been so generous sharing the chimpanzee people’s stories over the years that I feel like I know them all like family. You folks have always taken great care with the chimpanzees and with one another and with all of us out here privileged to watch and just as privileged to support your endeavors. Thank you for brinbing these beautiful beings out of the many darknesses the world had kept them in. Thank you for welcoming everyone to the mourning of beloved Jody.
I am so sorry for your loss; her _troop, careers, volonteers and supporters_! Thank you so much, for letting us follow along also in this very difficult and sad moment! It wouldn’t have felt right not to be able to give our last goodbye to Jody, alongside y’all!
:monkey_face::broken_heart:
the last gesture in the video was incredible. one chimp motions from Jody’s body to the Heavens. and the other nods in agreement. powerful moment!
I mentioned that in my post. It really does look lkke sbe’s referring to Jody’s spirit leaving her earthly
body. Our interpretation of a chimp’s gesture could be way off the mark of course. I wonder if Annie(?) has made that same gesture in other circumstances?
To: Simon-UK – I am inclined to agree. The earlier shaking of a limp wrist may indicate that Jody is ‘lifeless’ and the following actions interpreted as you have suggested.
Many animals are ‘conscious’ of mortality.
The was a case of a group of lionesses pursuing an intended victim to a tree, upon which the ‘lead’ lioness climbed and suffered a fatal fall.
All, bar none immediately ceased their frenzied attack and each moved towards the deceased liones, clearly in a state of mourning and reverence before dissappearing into the night.
Perversely, this ‘wake’ was emphasised by the fact that the ravenous pride returned the following morning to feast on the corpse.
Simon, I’ve seen video where she did the hand shaking loosely from limp wrist when Jamie stole Missy’s chow one day at lunch, and Annie stuck up for her. And the wide gesture with the full arm, for example, in a video when they tried to merge the 3 with the 9. it looked like she was ahooing Willy B away. IIRC, that’s the video called “second meeting” or something like that.
Yes they were all so gentle in their so longs. Jody, with the most uniquely beautiful face of them all? A tear fell on my face when i learned she passed. I firmly believe the 7 and later additions have souls. She is in heaven and we will see her again:two_hearts:
I know you must’ve thought long and hard about whether you should share something so private for you all and the chimps, but I can’t say it enough how much I really, really appreciate that you posted this. Thank you so much for including us in this experience. She was our friend and we love her. Sending big hugs and lots of love to you all. ?:cry:
that question mark at the end of my comment is a typo. it was a :broken_heart: the last time I looked at it not sure how it turned into it a ?.
Thank you for sharing J.B. I needed this to be able to process and say goodbye. So beautiful. thank you, thank you. my heart and thoughts go out to the 6 and to all of you, I know Jody, like all the chimps are family.
Holding all of you – chimp and human – in my heart at this sad time…
This is so hard. Thank you JB, Diana, and the selfless team of care givers for making right what she had endured for so long. Your tireless efforts brought Jody and the rest of her chimp family happiness, security, health, and the feeling of sunshine on their faces.
Jody was a character and will be missed.
Annie did Jody proud in the days forage. (Referring to the photos at the end of the blog)
“And together we said goodbye.” So begins your video. Yes, we are all here, together, in our grief and our love for Jody and the Cle Elum Seven. Thank you for letting me be a witness to this very personal but incredibly beautiful moment in time. My god, Jody was so fortunate.
I watched this several times on computer (My iPhone did not do it justice). I wanted to pay attention to each individuals reaction. The silence was deafening. Sweet Burrito keeping close to you, he seemed so unsure in the beginning but maybe he was giving the ladies a chance to pay their respects first. He seemed so still and quiet, out of character for our ever moving guy. Even his raspberries were halfhearted. Annie and Jamie bravely approached their dear friend. It appeared as if Missy initially deferred to Annie in a glance, to get an answer on Annie’s observations. And Annie’s arm raise, I think she did this on three different occasions, appeared to be a proclamation of sorts. Especially when Annie was doing it with Foxie. Clearly they were signing a private communication. It was very moving to watch. Negra! Her entrance caused notice from everyone. Now I truly see why she is the Queen. Negra handled the situation with grace and compassion, even offering all of you reassurance while warmly accepting your reassurance in return. She took my breath away. Missy pacing in the next room in the background moved me too. Near the end, was it Missy letting out a soft two hoot cry? I had to stop the video to compose myself. And the quick glance of all of you huddled together caught my breath. I wish I could take away your hurt.
Thank you for letting me be a part of this gathering. I realize my worries that captive former lab chimps might have a hard time understanding death were unnecessary. They fully understand the passing of a loved one. They grieve as we do and we all deal with loss individually. I also have a deeper understanding as to the depths of their family bonds, with each other and with you. I feel I love and respect my friends all more if that’s even possible.
I know you are as open and transparent as you can be on this blog. Always. You share information when it is safe to do so and by “safe” I mean the chimps well being is obviously the first and only priority. I can see why it might have been a tough decision to post this video, this is not just a sanctuary. It is the chimps sanctuary. Their home. I appreciate that you weighed your options and chose to shed a light on what the last 15 years created. A family. It is so visible in this video. You can feel the love and loss just as you would at a human wake or ceremony. The chimpanzees are not so different from us or vice versa.
The beauty in sharing, much like posting calling hours at the end of an obituary, is that when you invite friends in we get to see the deceased through the eyes of others who knew and loved them too. Gatherings of shared grief help us understand the permanence of death. It is helpful to express your grief, talk about or listen to a funny remembrance, celebrate that individuals life. Or you could groom a little, leave the room to deal with your personal emotions, blow a soft respectful raspberry, give a kiss to those you hold dear and together, realize life will never be exactly the same again.
To Jody! May she remain deep in our hearts forever!
I recognize the loss of Jody and send my condolenses to staff and volunteers and fellow chimps via the love the caregivers show on behalf of all of at a distance. While sad and moving, I felt privlidged to witness the chimps gathering around her to begin processing her death and expressing their grief, initial conflusion, or whatever they experienced at this time. It was moving to see a chimp reach out to a human in an inter-species connection as if to share the loss–that is, receiving and giving comfortin the moment. The chimp seemed to initiate the touch. I belive it was a demonstration of deep bonds of respect. ttust and understanding between them. We share so much DNA with chimps. The interactions and exchanges at this gathering delivered-sounds, silences, behaviors–during which I reflected on my charitable giving to the Sanctuary. It is a comfort to witness these souls engage in activites of living in a secure and safe environment, including a place in the world they may encounter death/loss of a group member. It allows them to process their grief and loss individually and together. .
Jody died a non-intrusive, quiet death observed by fellow chimps- neither she nor each member of the group was isolated, apart from the others, or alone in a lab cage. Their sounds and gestures were a comfort to me. I feel elevated as I witnessed their shared encounter of a spiritual nature. I thank you for filming it with such sensitivity and giving us the option to view or not.
Thank you for sharing this precious moment with Jody and her full family. Thank you for rescuing her and providing such a connected life where she could reveal her true self and live among the friends who loved her and those she loved. ?:sweat_drops:
JB and Diana, thank you so much for allowing us to grieve with you for beautiful Jody. Your video tribute is heatbreaking, but it is also perfect.
Has anyone in Cy’s group seemed to pick up something is wrong?
Hi Nancy – I think that the chimps in Cy’s group were attuned to the emtional state of their human caregivers but I don’t know that they are aware of any mokre than that at this point.
TY, that’s what I was thinking.
Thank you for sharing this, it was beautiful. I would like to add that this video will be of immense scientific interest – it documents some fascinating behaviours which we don’t often get to see. It’s massively important for the non-human rights cause too, demonstrating that chimpanzees have a high level of emotional intelligence and as such, are deserving of personhood. Perhaps this was Jodie’s last act of kindness towards her fellow beings – helping to show the world that they really do deserve similar rights to humans and that no primate (and indeed no animal…) should set foot in a laboratory. A fitting end, I feel and I thank you for ensuring the autumn of her life was filled with freedom and love. Please accept my condolences, this must be terribly hard for you all.
I understand your reluctance to share this, but very glad you did. Profundly moving and the way they groomed her, sniffed her, some left and returned others stayed the entire time. They also comforted one another, and their signals and hand gestures, although not understood by us (or me anyway) were very meaningful to them, I also thought it was sweet that some went to comfort the caregiver family on the other side of the wall. My deepest condolencesto Jody’s family, chimpanzee and human
I am so sad for all the pain you are experiencing at Jody’s passing – chimps and humans alike. There was something sacred shared in this video. Thank you. May you all be comforted.
Condolences to the human family of caregivers and to Jody’s chimpanzee family. I’m sorry for your loss.
I am so grateful you shared this. Thank you for letting us be a part of this private, yet beautiful
moment with the chimps and the caretakers. It was touching and interesting for people to see how they also mourn. I’m bit ashamed to say I cried, and my heart does ache for those of you closer to the situation. Keeping you all in my prayers.
As hard as this was to watch, i feel privileged you chose to share this beautiful sendoff that was given for Jody by her companions full of love. We as humans are not usually privy to something like this, and through my tears i was honored to be able to say goodbye to this beautiful soul as well. She will be in my heart forever. My love to you and Diana, and all the caregivers of these amazing souls. Thank you. :heartpulse:
My heart lost a piece when I read of Jody’s passing.Iove them all but Jody was a favotite carrying her “substitue,” baby, a Troll doll on her back. love to all. Helen
That’s Foxie, Helen, so you’ll still be able to see that! :slight_smile:
I want to thank you for all your love, care and support of our chimp family. Clearly everyone reacted, and took care of each other as needed. I was crying, and could hear sniffles in the background too. But I am also am very glad you shared this. Those of us who watch daily wanted and needed the same closure. I don’t think you should have done anything different. Of course you were going to try and help Jody. Who knows what she was carrying forward from all those years at the lab. Same thing with our other rescue animals who were starved, or confined for years. Their bodies are hiding internal damage you just don’t know about. Hugs to all.
This is one of the most heartbreakingly, beautiful things I have ever seen. I can’t really add anything to what anyone has said before me..other than to say it again..Thank-you so very, very much in allowing us all to share in the goodbye of such a beautiful soul and letting us bear witness to the reaction of her kinfolk, only reinforcing the fact that these chimpanzees feel every emotion that humans do..if not more. Their silent communication is something we will never understand but no less powerful and meaningful than ours. Our deepest condolences go to all of you at the Sanctuary and beyond..to all the people around the world that loved Jody. I know your hearts are broken but please know that you made her last 15 years on this earth the very best it could be.
Sending much love…Chris & Dave Frutiger ?
Ijust watched the video of the chimp family saying good by to Jody. Iwas deeply moved. I am trying to think of someting profound to say and I cannot. Just know my heart is broken for all involved, including myself. I love you all for the care you hive the chimps. please know I am sorry. with love, Debbie
I know Jody is without pain. May her friends accept that she is no longer with them physically. Love you girl. :heartpulse:
Thank you all for sharing this profoundly moving but beautiful video. I am humbled and seeing those beautiful Chimpanzees saying their goodbyes to their special friend was breathtaking. I send you love and my thoughts are with you all at this very sad time amd bless you, Jody, you will be forever in our hearts.
I’m so happy she got 15 happy years on this :earth_americas: with her friends. :heartbeat: Rip Jody :pray_tone1: :pray_tone1: :pray_tone1:
I finally watched this incredibly touching video. I have no words that have not been said. My tears join all of yours’ and we move on honoring Jody’s spirit, zest for life, lilacs and all things sanctuary gave her. Such moving footage of her family interacting with her, with each other and with you all. It is a special treat to be able to watch the sanctuary residents and the sanctuary grow and be a living entity that inpsires us all to live life to the fullest and love our family/s near and far to the highest, as CSNW does every day. Sending love to you all.