Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

in memory

in memory of Jody Chimpanzee on her birthday

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Tobin sponsored today in honor of Jody’s birthday celebration prior to us losing Jody just two weeks ago. Ever thoughtful, Tobin sent in a new message to share on this celebratory but also somber day,

Dear Friends of our beloved Jody:

As was the tradition at the CSNW, Jody’s birthday was celebrated every year on Mother’s Day. Those of us who loved her and rejoiced in her very being will continue to do so, in our hearts, minds, and souls. As we grieve, let us remember the look of joy on her beautifully expressive face, whether ascending the towers on Young’s Hill or in foraging the bounty of her land. Let us remember her maternal devotion to Negra, Annie, Missy, Foxie, Jamie, and Burrito. Taken from her mother in infancy, and deprived of nurturing the children she conceived, Jody became the den mother to her troop of orphans.

In my original statement for Jody’s birthday, I had written an open letter addressed to her. I told her that I hoped that the lilacs would be in bloom for her birthday, and I told her that I was so pleased when, somehow, she would appear in my dreams.

As I have read the many messages in the comments section of the Sanctuary website, I have been moved by the many words of condolence to Jody’s survivors and caregivers. One message especially holds meaning to me: “May her memory be blessed.”

Surely our memories of Jody are blessed, as we who love her were blessed by her presence in our lives.

And when I read of that Hebrew blessing, I thought of Jody and the words of a poem, also written in Hebrew:

For Thou, the Giver of Life,
created me in my inmost being;
Thou created me together
in my mother’s womb

Where can I go from Thy Spirit?

Our beloved Jody, your memory is blessed.

– Tobin Kerry –

 

 

in Memory of Jody from a New Friend

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We have said it before and will continue to thank everyone for the outpouring of messages honoring Jody and our shared grieving.

Today’s sponsor-a-day is also in memory of Jody, but not by someone who has been following the sanctuary for a long time. Here is the message from Cheryl Davis:

In memory of sweet Jody. Until two days ago I did not know about Jody or the sanctuary. Thank you for caring for her, loving her and all the other chimps.

Thank you, Cheryl, for taking the time to learn about Jody and the sanctuary and for being moved to make a donation dedicated to her. I can’t seem to find the words to articulate how heartening it is to know that Jody continues, in her passing, to capture the hearts of caring people.

I keep thinking back to these two photos we took of Jody the very first day she first arrived at the sanctuary when she was 33 years old.

The first one shows why we described Jody and everyone in her group as “aging in reverse” these last 15 years.

The second one really moves me, because Jody became known for her GIANT nests, and was not afraid of taking up space, but on that first day, she took just two blankets and made the tightest little nest around her.

What a privilege to have been able to watch and share as Jody embraced her sanctuary life and lived each day to the fullest. Thank you again, Cheryl, for being moved enough to sponsor this day in her honor and memory.

jody in sandbox

 

In Memory of Steve Ross

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Last week, the non-human primate community received the sad news that Dr. Steve Ross had suddenly passed away.

Steve was the director of Lincoln Park Zoo’s Lester E. Fisher Center for the Study and Conservation of Apes and the board chair of Chimp Haven for more than a decade. As a primatologist who was unabashedly focused on chimpanzees, he bridged the primate zoo, sanctuary, and observational/academic research communities in a way that no one else has, bringing everyone together to improve the welfare of chimpanzees.

Steve was the brainchild and leader behind an ambitious project to identify every captive chimpanzee in the United States and keep this information public and regularly updated as part of Lincoln Park Zoo’s Project ChimpCare.

He aided in the rehoming of many chimpanzees to zoos and sanctuaries from undesirable situations including chimpanzees within the entertainment industry and in private ownership. His loss is a huge blow to chimpanzee advocacy and a personal loss for countless people who were influenced by his academic and professional work and his passion, including many students who considered him a mentor. It is no exaggeration to say that anytime any question came up regarding a chimpanzee in captivity, I would immediately think to ask Steve.

Steve visited Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest on several occasions over the years, including a visit that coincided with a speaking engagement at Central Washington University in 2017 that I mentioned on the blog. He was a source of support to us during both difficult and joyful times at the sanctuary.

Not surprisingly, Steve was a member of Burrito’s unofficial fan club.

I thought about him often yesterday as I was watching the newly integrated groups of chimpanzees interact. I have been working alongside Steve on the placement committee for the Chimpanzees in Need campaign to find homes for all of the Wildlife Waystation chimpanzees, and we had exchanged impressions and updates over the last year about various chimpanzees we had met and fallen in love with at Wildlife Waystation.  If he had been alive, I would have texted him the good news of the integration. I have no doubt he would have responded with enthusiastic words of encouragement, and that it would have been among dozens of encouraging texts and emails he sent to others that day.

We are so saddened by his loss, and our hearts go out to those he was closest to in this world. His legacy is large and far-reaching and he leaves behind an immeasurable void.

Steve Ross @Lincoln Park Zoo

In memory of Sadie

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Today is a sponsor-a-day in memory of Sadie from Cindy, Fred and Barney. Cindy is a volunteer at the sanctuary and here is what she shared:

Sadie, a sweet and beautiful Great Pyrenees cross, was born with the new millennium. We were told she lived most of her first year in a crate. We adopted her from PAWS when she was about a year old  and she spent her next 10 years with her best friend Barney barking and romping on 2 acres. He watched over  her when she collapsed under a favorite tree a few weeks ago. Sadie didn’t suffer and was with her family at the end. This day is in loving memory of Sadie and her 2 acres – and looking forward to this coming year and the chimps on their 2 acres.

And here’s a photo of that two acres for the chimps. This was taken by volunteer Denice the day that her husband Ken came out with his tractor to help J.B. plant bamboo and run irrigation up to the plants:

ken planting bamboo