You probably know that Jamie is a pretty awesome chimpanzee. What you may not know is how, last year, she alerted the humans to a fire that was approaching the sanctuary property. You can read about that here.
It’s fire season again here in the Northwest, and the Jolly Mountain Fire is currently burning in some forested back-country about twelve miles from the sanctuary (the sanctuary is not in danger).
That means that there are many firefighters and disaster responders in the area working hard. For the last ten days, Southwest Incident Management Team #3 was in charge of the all the many things that are part of responding to wildland fires, from community outreach to physical fire containment measures.
Alan Sinclair was leading that team and heard the story of Jamie alerting us to the fire last year. He contacted us and brought out a group of firefighters and Forest Service workers to learn more about the story and to assess the firewise measures and fire preparedness at the sanctuary.
Then, they decided to do something amazing.
They made Jamie an honorary wildland firefighter! They created and gave her a certificate:
a photo collage:
AND an official pair of wildland firefighter boots (thanks for the boots, Sharma!)!!!
Michael Thompson (who, incidentally, won over Negra big time) put together this video to tell the story:
We are all so touched that the crew chose to recognize Jamie in this way. I was thinking about how fitting this really is for Jamie to have this honor. I don’t think I have to explain how much firefighters mean to us after our experience with the Taylor Bridge Fire. That first hand experience has made us much more aware of the work that they do all over the world.
Firefighters and first responders of all kinds risk their lives to protect others. They are the ones who go towards danger rather than running away from it.
For whatever reason, this is what Jamie does too (just check out this video of her capturing a snake last week). Jamie is not the most affectionate or nurturing chimpanzee of the group of seven at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, but she is a protector, and her chimpanzee and human family are lucky to have someone so brave among us.
Thank you, Jamie, and a big thank you to all firefighters out there! Please share this post and/or the video as a thank you to those who go towards danger to protect others around them.
Firefighters are my heroes also. We live in a fire zone and our men and women have been on high alert this time of year.
Bless aJamie for being so diligent and aware. Bless all of the chimps and humans at the sanctuary.
Beautiful story and piece ~ thank you so much to all of you!! Hugs and kisses all around!
Jamie is so deserving of this. How about sending her to paramedic school next? 🙂
Wow. Just…wow.
Der, before I comment, I just have one VERY important question: were you sitting down between those two guys, or are they both just REALLY gigantic trees?? ;P
I love this, Diana, and I thank you for sharing it with us.
I think my favourite part was when the light of recognition went off in Alan’s eyes that Jamie was a cognitive, emotional, highly intelligent soul, capable of communicating her feelings, wants, desires, and needs with us mere hoomans. Not only that, but she had a very SPECIFIC desire. That’s always the coolest part for me, in knowing they’re not the doofus MONKEYS you see in cartoons. (OMG, don’t even get me started! :D)
If it hadn’t been for that one second of interpersonal interaction directly with HER (and not some video or story on Facebook that isn’t even close to being the same thing), he might have gone through his entire life and never ever considered chimpanzees again; he might’ve been completely robbed of that one golden moment of…well, awakening, is the best word I can find for what happened to him. It was great to hear that account coming from him, too.
Wonderful collage, video, and experience! Lubs, lubs, LUBS! <3
Haha!! I think the issue is more me being a small sapling, or something like that. I always forget how short I am. Alan definitely had a transformative experience, thanks to Jamie!
What a fun surprise todays post was to read and see!! I used to live in CA so I know first hand how heroic first responders/firefighters are. Seeing them come into their station from long spells of fighting major fires would get you all choked up. Thank you firefighters for keeping us safe and for saving our natural spaces too!
Marvelous that Jamie is an Honorary Wildland Firefighter! She did save the day! And I love that she connected with Alan on the walk. (No slacking off on Jamie’s patrols!) But the best part was seeing Jamie walking with the pair of boots on her hands. She looked so darn pleased with those awesome boots. That made my heart sing.
I hope the Jolly Mountain Fire is contained and everyone is safe and I hope this is the last fire in your community this year. Wishing you a fire free season!
What a beautiful, touching story. … a first hand account told by Alan,the firefighter in his own words. He will never be the same in his thoughts of chimpanzees. Jamie’s motioning for him to ‘move on, let’s keep walking” was exactly what she did when she wanted Vicky’s handmade book page to be turned. She knows exactly what the wave of the hand means and I’m sure it wasn’t any of you taught her but her natural own intelligence. They never cease to amaze me
Jamie is AWESOME! Firefighters are AWESOME! You guys are AWESOME!
Thanks so much for this. And Diana, if I was standing to a handsome firefighter for so long, my heart would be doing such a pitter-patter….
Thanks Diana, that was as great as you said that it would be. It would have fun to see Negra with her firefighter. Thank you guys for all that you do.
JB and Diana: I feel so privileged to have been able to visit the Sanctuary this past Saturday. Makes it all the more “real” for me. Good luck on the expansion efforts. So many great chimps still need permanent homes. All current seven are special, each in her/his own way. Jamie should be proud of her honorary firefighter status.
This story brought tears to my eyes, we are just discovering the intelligence of these animals and also other wildlife. To realize that they were used in medical research makes me want to put the people that participated in this practice put in cages for 30 years. Because animals experience the same pain and emotions that humans do makes me wonder how these and other animals mentally and physically survived. I believe they are more resilient than we are. Your work makes me so thankful for people like you and that you have the honor to dedicate your life to these unfortunate animals. At least you can know that they have had many happy years because of you. God bless you and your mission.
Such a heart-warming story. I am delighted for Jamie to be honored and have a beautiful proud pair of fire fighter boots to add to her collection. It’s a hoot to see that Emma the Elk is still interested in everything that goes on and was walking along the property with all of you. I always love learning more about the personalities of the Amazing Seven and this story was very enlightening and moving.
What a great story you nearly had me crying
A wonderful post. It is great to know that the larger community recognizes the work of CSNW, cares about you all and takes the trouble to get better acquainted. EVERYONE contributes to their community and to the wider world. Congratulations to all chimps and humans at CSNW and to Incident Management Team #3. And may all be safe through this fire season.