Fear is something we usually try to avoid instilling in the animals we care for. In fact, one of the original frameworks for thinking about animal welfare, known as the Five Freedoms, included as one of its central tenets the “freedom from fear and distress.”
But a little fear can also be a good thing.
As a caregiver, I love watching the chimps take their first anxious, tentative steps onto grass. I love watching them seek reassurance as they venture far into a new enclosure and away from everything they consider safe and comfortable. And I love seeing the expression of relief and excitement when they finally accomplish the thing they were so afraid of.
Certainly it would be better if they weren’t afraid of these particular things in the first place. But we all have some fears, and if we didn’t face them now and again we wouldn’t really be living. So long as we have choice, social support, and the ability to retreat to a place of safety and comfort when things feel overwhelming, it almost feels like a little fear should be a requirement.
Perhaps I just need a different word—something that refers specifically to a condition of one’s own choosing that is equal parts fear and exhilaration, but particularly one that involves overcoming some sort of obstacle, either physical or emotional. Words like thrill and frisson don’t seem to really capture it. I’m sure it exists…maybe someone reading this can help me.
In any case, witnessing this emotion in the chimps at CSNW is for me the peak of compassion satisfaction. It’s almost like a high. And it’s one of the rare times that I wished I worked at a bigger sanctuary, so I could see it over and over again.
As I close up the chimp house, I often wonder if the chimps reflect on their day. I hope that Cy is laying in bed right now, picturing that view of the valley and feeling whispers of the way he was feeling when he first made it to the top of the Bray.
Good going, Cy. Maybe part of the fun of walking that far up the hillside wad being able to hang with his bud, J.B.
Jb – makes me teary eyed watching firsts for the chimps because its like a another part of their world just opened up for them. what an awesome moment to witness, he must trust you all a great deal to follow you a bit further even when he was feeling anxious.
It seems so relaxing up there and peaceful. Was that the furthest he’d ever been? Thank you for the happy (and inspiring) blog today. We all need something or someone to push us a bit sometimes out of our comfort zones.
Hi Emma – He had been to the top once before, as far as I know. So now he’s been three times. And I’m hopeful that he decides to make it part of his routine, like the other group does!
JB, it looks like you should take a chair with you when you walk with Cy so that you can sit and take in the view like he does. I am so happy seeing them enjoy being outside. :purple_heart:
We can dream sweet dreams in New Jersey of Cy’s crowning achievement today. Fantastic! Awesome! The only thing better would be to see him relax with a magazine under a fig tree laden with fruit! Fingers crossed for a harvest in 2024! Go Cy! You are such an interesting chimp!
Is it a “rush”, JB?
Nice going, Cy!
Good for his heart.
JB, is that a train parked across the highway, in the valley below? And soneone seems to be missing a chunk of fur on his shoulder
Glad he can get these in before winter sets in…now you’ll have TWO patrol paths to shovel every day!:upside_down: Is Jamie’s group now continuing to patrol counter-clockwise?
Yup – I’m not sure if the Burlington-Santa Fe Railroad realizes that they are ruining the backdrop for all of our photos and video. There are parallel tracks across the road so they are able to leave cars there that aren’t being used. Cy does indeed have a lot of overgrooming on his back – someone in that group is a serial upper back overgroomer. The only ones that don’t ever really have it are Mave and Rayne, which makes them our prime suspects.
:laughing:
Thanks for the laugh, JB. At least their shoulders aren’t bare bc 9f fighta.
What a wonderful post! It seems that when the gang first considers going outside, their perspective is to go from the doorway to the boardwalk or out onto the grass. The focus is close to home (Rayne was an exception to this however!). Once that big first step outdoors is achieved, the next big brave move is expanding your perspective by looking outwards, into the beyond. Scary indeed. When heading up the hill, it must be unsettling to look back to where you came from, with home looking small in the distance. And the sounds from cars and trains, I wonder what they think of it if all?!
It’s good to have a friend! Cy is lucky to have you encouraging him to keep going, and that hug of reassurance from Rayne (?) sure gave him a boost too. I’m watching on my phone, so everything is small and I can’t see Cy’s face but it almost seemed as if Cy was so mesmerized with the views, sounds, and the overall beauty that he was equal parts awestruck and anxious. Wow, it’s all so exciting. Dear brave Cy! I hope he not only reflected on his amazing experience while snug in nest, I hope he dreams about it tonight.
Thanks for this uplifting post!
J.B., i prefer to call it caution instead of fear. And that’s OK when heading out. We can never know what’s in the mind of a conremplative soul like Cy, but he does seem to tkje it all in as he probably didn’t have the oppirtunity to do that before sanctuary. And he trusts following you. Now, that’s a high, my friend.
I love to see every slow step and glance back to make sure ‘home’ is still there. However, I’m even more thrilled when they sit down to take in the view……to me, it signals that they’re comfortable and actually enjoying the experience. Well done, JB for helping him out!
Thanks J.B. for this sweet blog. Cy looked so cute when he sat down for a few moments by the log. The landscape is so beautiful there, I would have to stop and take it all in too. Now, if the scenery could could entice Honey B to walk in the Bray I would jump for joy.
thank you all, for making moments like these possible for these beautiful fellow creatures.
Woooooo Hooooo!!! Way to go Cy boy!!!! He looks positively content looking out over the valley!!! Oh and Rayne what a nice girl giving him reassurance!!! so proud of him!!!
I can’t imagine what the wildlife waystation caregivers must feel as they watch the Lucky 6 expand their horizons. Because I know they loved them very very much. I know I would be crying my eyes out in joy and thankfulness. And sad I couldn’t witness it in person.
I often think the same, Paulette!
I love your heart JB. It shines in your blogs. Cy sees it too. I think you’re his person.
Thank you JB for such care for these beautiful cousins of ours. This brought me to tears, good and sad as to ser him “free” to explore is such joy, but the sadness that they were denied this for so long. Keep up the walking Cy its good for your health and soul.