We’ve all been thinking a lot about Negra lately. You too, I know. Her ups and downs with her health and mobility have mostly been gentle waves. Some days, some moments, better than others. Dr. Erin created a new daily welfare assessment form that can capture more subtle and nuanced changes with plenty of room for writing down observations. On this assessment, the staff that day make note of her mobility, which remains her primary concern, as well as continence, gastrointestinal monitoring including periodic sampling for any signs of internal bleeding (so much of care comes down to poop, doesn’t it?), appetite and eating, what we offer for hydrating foods, social interactions with both humans and other chimpanzees, respiratory rate, and any other observations of the day. She’s still socializing with at least one, and more often two or three friends a day, climbing to the top of her beloved greenhouse structure, and occasionally weighing in on the drama from the other group in her classic “you kids quiet down over there” manner. She’s still our Queen Negra.
We’ve rigged up a portable watering spigot so she can access water while lounging on the deck of the greenhouse, and it’s become a popular device for all of the chimps.
Something I’ve been contemplating lately is what Negra remembers of her past. Not of the trauma she experienced in the lab–having her children taken away, being isolated, and living in a basement holding facility–but of her very early years. What were her very first memories?
We don’t know how old she was when she was captured in Africa. It’s not even possible for me to fathom that actually happened, to be honest. Perhaps it’s because I’ve always lived so far from that world of wildlife trafficking, knowing some of the results of the exploitative process, sheltered from the process itself. When Negra was captured, whether that was in 1973 as our records indicate, or as early as 1969 as other records seem to show, it was not an uncommon occurrence. There was a demand for chimpanzees for the space program in the United States and a supply of wild chimpanzees living across the world to fill that demand.
However old she was, Negra was born a wild chimpanzee. Did she know her mother? Her siblings? Did she spend enough time in her native land to learn about the best plants to harvest and where to find the ripest figs? Did she learn to nest high in the trees by watching her family make their beds? Did she learn how to fish for ants or termites?
That last question is what I was wondering while I watched her expertly use a chopstick to extract peanut butter from a PVC tube. It’s not the same, yet the elements are all there.
Was she thinking of Africa?
Thanks goes to Katelyn and Erin for the photos in this post. The feature image, taken by Katelyn, is Negra enjoying some chives and roses while lounging in the greenhouse.
Thank you , Diana, for this lovely update and info on Negra. She is very dear to our hearts and glad she is holding court everyday!
I concur with Rosalie. Neggie is beloved and treasured by all who know her.
Thank you for taking such wonderful care of our dear Queen. I’m so glad that she feels good, and is surrounded by her favorite things and people.:revolving_hearts:
Forever may she rule !
thank uou Diana for your lovely piece about our Queen. what a terrible time she had with those damn scidntists. I get so angry. we have given her a better life this last 20. years but still we know she remembers. i do hope some good times over shaddow the bad. humans have so much to snswer for.
Oh precious Neggie, how dearly you are loved. Dr. Erin, as always, has everything in perfect order. I am so happy to hear Negra is keeping up on her visits with her family. Happier still to hear she is weighing in on the neighbors drama! That’s our Negra!
I appreciated your imaginings of Negra’s life in her native land. Does she remember something? Anything? A sense, a smell, a warmth of her mother? Wow. I never thought of this before. So very moving. Does she visit Africa and her mother in her dreams? Puts my heart on pause to take it all in. Thanks Diana. For everything you do.
I hope you are doing OK Diana, we all know Negra is special to you
I hope that the wonderful care you have provided has helped the terrible treatment in the laboratories fade from her memory. However, like most of us ‘oldies’, I’m sure Neggie can remember some things that happened when she was three, but can’t remember what she had for lunch yesterday! Thank you all so much for making her so comfortable. Lovely to hear that she has the company of all her friends, chimps and humans alike.
Diana, your post truly highlights the power of community. Negra is at the center right now, but the community extends far beyond the immediate focus. What you all do ripples out and inspires others, whether you are aware of that, or not.
Thank you, Diana, for the update on our, and your, Queen. I too wonder every time I see a pic or see video of a toddler chimp hitching a ride on mom’s back.
I’ve often wondered about the sounds and smells that they remember, as Kathleen said. How they know to put their feet flat against that tree or post when they start climbing up, how they know that the walnut shell isn’t good for them, but that the inside is a treat.
When you think about it, between her early days and her 18 years in your care, her good years have come closer to equalling all of the bad years in the labs. Times that can’t be erased, but times that we hope will become an ever-diminishing, shadowy corner of her memory, outshone by the light of the happy memories: the top of the pineapple, peanuts for breakfast, friends who know how you play and when to let you nap, human friends who appreciate your kisses and, by the kissy photo here, go to the middle or the top of the hill to get you some of your favorite prickly lettuce.:heart_eyes:
Just came back again to reread this post and see Negra’s beautiful photos. Your comment is so touching. I loved your observation : “When you think about it, between her early days and her 18 years in your care, her good years have come closer to equalling all of the bad years in the labs.” This made me smile and made my day.
Ty, it makes me happy to hear!
Love you Negra
Thank you Diana for arranging for Negra to live the rest of her life with the dignity she deserves. What an exceptional chimp! Her days in Africa and all that followed in captivity are a part of her memories, however, after 18 years of exceptional care at the sanctuary, she will end her earth journey surrounded by unconditional love in a place we call “Captive Chimp Heaven on Earth”- CSNW and you guys! Thank you for all you do for her and the other chimps and for keeping us all updated. As you can tell by the blog responses, we are all appreciative and concerned. We grieve with you. A note to Negra, keep fighting! love and pant hoots!