Last night I was going through some old documents and newspaper articles and reading about the history of chimpanzees being retired to sanctuaries, and, in particular, activists who worked to get chimpanzees out of Buckshire, where the seven chimpanzees living at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest came from.
I will share more details at a later time, but one thing that really struck me was the extremely dedicated people who worked for years to help chimpanzees who they had never even met.
Working at and for a sanctuary can be hard work, but the reward is constant. There is a direct connection between the care that goes into sanctuary work and witnessing happy chimpanzees benefit from your labor. Most people who work in sanctuaries are also advocates, but our priority, as it should be, is to provide the very best life possible for those we care for at the sanctuary.
People who work full-time as activists and animal advocates don’t often have this direct reward. Their work, which often involves endlessly writing complaints and submitting FOIA requests, or working to change legislation, can be arduous. They know that there is wrong being done, and they work to create better outcomes, but it often takes years to see an outcome; all too often nothing comes of their hard work. Then, when there is a happy ending, they move on to the next animal or animals who are suffering.
But their work is precisely what has made the sanctuary life for the Cle Elum Seven, and for other animals in sanctuaries, possible.
Today I would like to publicly thank them and let them know that in my head and heart I thank them each time I think of the Cle Elum Seven chimpanzees, which is pretty much all the time.
Negra foraging for lunch:
Foxie with Dora and friend:
Jamie and Burrito patrolling together:
Burrito finishing up the patrol around the hill:
Annie and Missy at the top of Twister:
Jody in profile:
There are numerous organizations and individuals who work tirelessly in animal welfare and fight long and hard for animal rights. I will readily join you Diana in thanking all these dedicated people. But, I also want to thank you and everyone who has played even the smallest part in bringing CSNW from a spark of an idea to a reality. Without your selfless devotion where would Negra, Foxie, Jamie, Burrito, Annie, Missy and Jody be today? Thank you one and all from the bottom of my heart.
My most deepest and sincerest Thank You to each and everyone of you who followed through on the idea of creating a safe and loving environment for chimpanzees in need of a home. I’d say that you actively and collectively saved the lives of Annie, Burrito, Foxie, Jaime, Jody, Missy and Negra.
I believe that if the chimps understood the concept of activism and how it has affected their lives, and if they then were given the opportunity to meet these selfless activists, they would dish out the longest, strongest hugs they possibly could. And my hope is that the activists would know so, for the concept of a sanctuary, and thus NWSC would not exist were it not for them. For that we must never forget their dedication and passion.