We may never understand what it is about boots that Jamie loves so much, but love them she does.
A Lovely Face
Jody has the most expressive face. She seems to greet the world in wonder.
Harry Potter Day
In our continuing effort to come up with new and interesting enrichment for the chimpanzees, we present to you…
Getting Comfy
Today has been all about supreme comfort for Queen Negra.
Going Through the Archives
Thought I’d share a few photos from the last few weeks at the sanctuary.
Jody relaxing in the playroom:
Jamie surveying Young’s Hill from the top platform in the greenhouse:
Firefighters from the Jolly Mountain Fire presenting Jamie with her own pair of firefighting boots:
Missy discovering a tomato stash during a lunch forage on Young’s Hill:
Burrito:
Annie:
Annie’s hand holding some bell peppers:
Negra eating an onion on Young’s Hill:
Foxie with Dora:
A Face for the Ages
Annie’s face is a work of art.
Queen Negra
Negra spent 30 years in laboratories, being poked and prodded in the name of research. In 1986, during her 13th year in a lab cage, it was suspected that Negra had some kind of contagious disease, so she was placed in isolation – possibly the worst thing you can do to a social animal. Here is the note in her record from that time:
3/31/86 – Dr. ordered animal removed from main colony and placed in isolation for further testing.
It’s unclear why, but it took almost two years for the lab technicians to realize, after extensive testing, that they had isolated Negra for no reason. In 1988 she was returned to her regular cage.
1/14/88 – Enter cage #28 by herself. Home again.
It’s possible that this was the low point in Negra’s life in the lab, but even the “good” days were filled with needles, dart guns, fear, and loneliness. Twenty years after Negra was returned to her “home” cage post-isolation, she finally moved to Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest.
You might think that the life Negra experienced in the lab would make for a timid, docile individual. But Negra is anything but docile. We call her “the Queen” of the sanctuary, because she is regal and imperious. When Negra wants something, you’d better not stand in her way. She’s cranky, self-assured, and determined. Negra is strong.
Perhaps equally surprising, given her history, is that Negra has not written off humans. Though she will let you know when you’ve disappointed her, she does not hold grudges. And even though she has every reason to hate and fear our species, she gives out kisses freely.
May we all strive to be Negra.
