Just over eight years ago, the Cle Elum 7 were living in the windowless basement of the Buckshire Corporation in Pennsylvania. Their entire world consisted of four attached 6×6 cages.
Here’s a little perspective on just exactly what that meant for the chimpanzees:
Take a moment and imagine only being able to climb as high as that cage ceiling or walk as far as the beginning of one wall to the end of the other. It’s truly inconceivable.
A huge part of sanctuary means providing a new multidimensional expansive world for the chimpanzees to enjoy.
When Missy climbed to to the tallest structure on Young’s Hill this morning, she was around 20 feet in the air with an unimpeded view of a lush green valley and rolling mountains. The sun could warm her back and the breeze could tickle her skin. She had 2 acres of grassy hill to run and play on, with several comfortable indoor areas to nap and groom in.
What a difference 8 years can make.
Donna Oleksiuk says
The pain in my heart is almost unbearable when I see or hear about the horrific conditions some of the chimpanzees (and other animals too) have existed in. I pray with all my heart and soul that humans will evolve and begin to treat all living beings with kindness and respect. It seems a million miles off but those of you that work at the sanctuary are leading the way!!! There is no way for me to express my gratitude to you for creating a home for these seven precious beings – one filled with love, concern, and kindness. THANK YOU THANK YOU !! May others use you as a role model for the treatment of all animals, but chimpanzees in particular.
Arlene and Michael says
It is heartbreaking to think about how these chimps and other animals have been treated, and too many still are. Thank you for your dedication to helping the special seven chimps there now and for working to make room for more. I wish that everyone would treat animals with such humanity, of which they are so deserving of.
Kathleen says
When I see photos of the Buckshire Corporation in Pennsylvania, and the 6×6 cages, I always gasp. No matter how many times I see the images, I am never prepared for the pang in my heart I feel each time. Seeing Missy appearing as if she is floating in the sky with a view of ‘forever’ makes my heart sing! I hope I live to celebrate the day when all chimpanzees who are still being held in barren prisons will be released to sanctuaries. I hope this day comes very soon since so many of these chimps are older and they deserve time to enjoy their hard earned freedom.
Thank you to each caregiver and volunteer at CSNW, because of you the Cle Elum Seven live their lives to the fullest. You give me HOPE.
Francoise says
I can only say that all of the supporters above have expressed my feelings and wishes exactly.
It looks like JB is in the picture at the front? If it was me, I would be in tears and utter despair to see what was before me. You are not only kind and generous and loving, but brave to meet that evil head on and change it.