Petra's Birthday/Anniversaire de Petra

It is Petra's 21st Birthday on February 24th; why not adopt her as a gift for someone special! or send her a special gift! Petra loves brushes, necklaces and shiny gloves and coats.

Petra is an incredibly intelligent chimpanzee. She is intuitive and does not miss much. She seems to know what you are planning before you even know -- always watching and waiting for someone to forget something like a broom or pail of water too close to the caging. Petra is extremely self-confidant. Very courageous, she takes advantage of any opportunity. She loves to explore, observe and learn something new. Petra knows what she wants and knows how to get it, using all of her social skills.

Le 24 février c'est l'anniversaire de Petra. Pourquoi ne pas l'adopter et l'offrir en cadeau pour une personne qui vous est chère? et pourquoi pas lui faire une surprise en lui envoyant un cadeau? Petra adore les brosses, les colliers et les gants et manteaux satinés.

Petra est une chimpanzée incroyablement intelligente, intuitive et très alerte. Elle semble deviner nos futurs gestes avant même que nous le sachions - elle est toujours aux aguets pour
subtiliser un sceau ou un balai oublié trop près des cages. Petra a extrêmement confiance en elle-même, elle est très courageuse et elle tire profit de toute occasion. Elle adore explorer, observer et apprendre du nouveau. Petra sait ce qu'elle veut et comment l'obtenir en ayant recours à toutes ses aptitudes sociales.

NY Post poor taste!

Subject: Did the NY Post joke about killing Obama?
Let the New York Post knowthat this is not OK.

Dear Robert,
Yesterday, the day after President Obama signed the stimulus bill, his first major piece of legislation, the New York Post ran a cartoon depicting the bill's author as a dead monkey, covered in blood after being shot by police. In the face of intense criticism, The Post's editor is standing by the cartoon, claiming it has no racial undertones, that it's not about Obama, and that it was simply referencing an incident earlier this week when police shot a pet chimpanzee (an argument that pundits and analysts simply aren't buying).1
It's impossible to believe that any newspaper editor could be ignorant enough to not understand how this cartoon evokes a history of racist symbolism, or how frightening this image feels at a time when death threats against President Obama have been on the rise.
Please join us in demanding that The Post apologize publicly and fire the editor who allowed this cartoon to go to print:
http://colorofchange.org/nypost/?id=1846-687410
The Post would have us believe that the cartoon is not about Obama. But on the page just before the cartoon appears, there's a big picture of Obama signing the stimulus bill.2 A reader paging through The Post would see Obama putting pen to paper, then turn the page to see this violent cartoon. The imagery is chilling.
There is a clear history in our country of racist symbolism that depicts Black people as apes or monkeys, and it came up multiple times during the presidential campaign.3
We're also in a time of increased race-based violence. In the months following President Obama's election there has been a nationwide surge in hate crimes ranging from vandalism to assaults to arson on Black churches.4,5 There has been an unprecedented number of threats against President Obama since he was elected,6 with hate-based groups fantasizing about the killing of the president. Just a week ago, a man drove from Louisiana to the Capitol with a rifle, telling the police who stopped him that he had a "delivery" for the president.7
There is no excuse for The Post to have allowed this cartoon to be printed, and even less for Editor Col Allan's outright dismissal of Black concerns.
But let's be clear about who's behind The Post: Rupert Murdoch. Murdoch, the Post's owner, is the man behind FOX News Channel. FOX has continually attacked and denigrated Black people, politicians, and institutions at every opportunity, and we've run several campaigns to make clear how FOX poisons public debate.8
We don't expect much from Murdoch. However, with enough public pressure we can set the stage for advertisers and subscribers to think long and hard before patronizing outlets like the Post that refuse to be held accountable.
You can help by making it clear that the Post's behavior is unacceptable, and by asking your friends and family to do the same. It only takes a minute:




http://colorofchange.org/nypost/?id=1846-687410
-- James, Gabriel, Clarissa, William, Dani and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team February 19th, 2009
References:
1. "NY Post Defends Cartoon, Slams Al Sharpton," Huffington Post, 2-18-2009 http://tinyurl.com/cdmhmm
2. "Obama Photo Preceded Cartoon Of Gunned Down Chimp," Huffington Post, 2-18-2009 http://tinyurl.com/d4jf3m
3. "'Curious George' Obama Shirt Causes Uproar," CBS News, 5-15-2008 http://tinyurl.com/d3ym5w
4. "Post-Racial USA? Not So Fast." Associated Press, 11-15-2008 http://tinyurl.com/b6nw6u
5. "Arson seen in post-election fire at black church in Springfield," Boston Globe, 11-8-2008 http://tinyurl.com/689k4k
6. "Obama never worries about his security despite record number of threats," Daily Mail, 11-27-2008 http://tinyurl.com/bwpr2b
7. "Winnfield man with rifle said he had 'delivery' for Obama," The Advocate, 2-11-2009 http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/39429842.html
8. ColorOfChange.org campaign -- "Dancing with the Devil" http://colorofchange.org/cbci_debates/

Don't forget Gloria on the Radio! Gloria à la Radio!

On Sunday February 22nd, at 1:30 I will be doing a radio interview with Jody Fabrikant. The program discusses many animal issues, events, stories and so much more. We will be talking about Fauna's amazing residents. The program is called, Wag Your Tale WKNY radio.I hope you can listen in.

Dimanche le 22 février prochain à 13:30 je serai à l'émission radiophonique de Jody Fabrikant. L'émission aborde des sujets, événements, histoires à propos des animaux et beaucoup plus. Nous parlerons des incroyables résidents de la Fondation Fauna. L'émission s'appelle Wag Your Tale WKNY. J'espère que vous pourrez être des nôtres à cette antenne.

Pet Chimpanzee brutally killed in Stamfort, CT

This is why it is so important for people to understand that chimpanzees are not house pets!

http://www.nypost.com/seven/02162009/news/regionalnews/bizarre_animal_attack_in_stamford_155493.htm

FROM THIS MORNING'S HUFFINGTON POST

Frans de Waal
Posted February 17, 2009 10:39 PM (EST)

The story of Travis, the chimpanzee, reminds me of a zoo where a visitor had climbed in with the polar bears, and got mauled. One bear was shot. A rather unfair ending, in my opinion. Now there is another sad story surrounding a chimpanzee kept as a pet. Travis, a young adult male kept as a pet in Stamford, Connecticut,attacked a woman on February 16th, 2009, visiting the owner, and ends up shot and killed by the police. Under the circumstances, you can't blame the police, but this doesn't make the case less tragic.
Without going into the details of how well the chimp knew the human visitor, or what the effect may have been of the Xanax in his tea, we should consider that this was a 15-year-old male. This is precisely the age at which males begin to domineer females of their species and challenge more established males. If you have ever seen male chimps work on their status it is obvious that they are real risk-takers, employing their considerable strength to move up and not caring one bit about the injuries they may incur. Travis was a time bomb waiting to be set off.
Adult chimpanzees are totally beyond unarmed human control, and have been known to kill people. At a sanctuary in Sierra Leone, in 2006, a group of chimpanzees turned on a local driver and Western visitors, killing the driver and seriously injuring the others. Fatal attacks on humans have occurred at zoos as well.
Chimpanzees are smaller than us. On all fours, they only reach to our knees, so people often misjudge their force. You can see how muscular they are when they effortlessly scale a branchless tree. It's a feat of strength no human can replicate. The arm pulling strength of the male chimpanzee has been measured at five times that of athletic young men, and since apes fight with four "hands," they are impossible to beat. This is so even if they're prevented from biting as was done by a man I once met, who traveled carnivals with a chimp. Every macho guy was ready to wrestle the ape, thinking it would be a piece of cake. But even hulks the size of a pro-wrestler found it impossible to control the man's partner.
What makes apes so strong? Muscle density may be part of the answer, which would also explain why apes can't swim: they lack buoyancy. The pound-for-pound output power of ape muscles is estimated to be twice that of our own species.
It is well known to those who work with chimps in captivity that if one of them is able to get a hold of a human arm or ankle through the bars, there is no way to free yourself by force. The ape has to voluntarily release. A chimp can move its entire body up hanging by a single finger: don't try this at home!
It's tragic that perhaps the attacked woman will lose her life, or at least her face, not to mention the price that Travis paid for the incident. All as a result of lax laws that let people keep undomesticated animals at home. A chimp is no pet and will never make a good pet however well treated. People are lured into keeping them because they are cute when they are young, but this is naïve and irresponsible.
But there are other reasons not to keep nonhuman primates as pets. Chimps may be particularly dangerous, but even smaller monkeys are not made for a life in a human home. Hundreds of accidents happen every year in which monkeys bite owners or visitors, which is why many of them end up without teeth. Is this a way to treat our fellow primates: emasculated and detoothed?
This is why we need organizations, such as ChimpHaven, which take in animals like this, remove them from human homes, and release them onto large islands where they live a more natural social life. No diapers are needed here. They live in a green setting in which they mingle with fellow apes, doing no harm to humans and humans doing no harm to them.
-- Frans de Waal


HUFFINGTON POST'S FEBRUARY 18 REPORTING OF THE KILLING (with videos)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/02/17/travis-the-chimp-shot-dea_n_167527.html

Remembering Our Special Valentine/En souvenir de notre Valentin

Valentine's Day has never been the same for anyone that had the honor of meeting Billy Jo. Billy Jo passed away February 14th, 2006. It is hard to believe that it has already been three years. I do believe that we can be thankful that he was the first one to make it out on the new islands. He was a sweet soul and unfortunately Billy Jo did not have many chimpanzee friends but he did have the love and admiration from all of his human friends.


We miss you Billy...

1968-2006

"Good night, sweet prince, And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!"

Le jour de la St-Valentin n'a jamais plus été le même pour tous ceux qui ont eu l'honneur de rencontrer Billy Jo. Billy Jo nous a quitté le 14 février 2006. Il est difficile de croire que ça fait déjà 3 ans. Je crois que nous pouvons nous compter chanceux qu'il fut le premier à se rendre sur les îles. Son âme était si douce. Malheureusement, Billy Jo n'avait pas beaucoup d'amis chimpanzés cependant il avait l'amour et l'admiration de tous ses amis humains.

Tu nous manques Billy...

1968-2006

"Good night, sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!"

Valentines Day, from my heart

Valentines Day at Fauna, will always be one that fills us with a great deal of emotion. It is a time when we are reminded of how fragile and how durable our hearts really are.
It is a time that we should be sure to think about the amazing loves in our lives. Even if they are not with us anymore, our hearts have been marked for life, by those we love, and by those who love us.

It is also when our hearts need to be open to love, remembering who we love and to loving unconditionally.

At Fauna we think of those we have lost, and now we think even more of those we love, because we lost someone so dear to us on this day 3 years ago. It naturally keeps us in the present, and trying to enjoy and remember so many wonderful and special memories. It brings to mind our great loves in life, special friends, and our families.

So, for us this is a very special time, we will always remember this day, and of course think of some of the most amazing individuals, we have had the privilege and honor of knowing.

On Valentines Day we celebrated the Birthday of our dear Pablo. It was a date we chose for him, since we did not know exactly when he was born, and it was just the perfect day for such a unique and special fellow. He was to be one of the first to leave us, and the most shocking loss. He was here with us for such a short time, and we always felt he deserved more time in his new life.

Then, three months later, we suffered a truly painful loss. It was our Annie, the matriarch at Fauna, best friend, mother and teacher. One of the wisest, kindest beings I have ever met. This loss marked our hearts in a deep way, and took a toll on everyone in Annie’s life, but in particular her closest friend Donna Rae, who became withdrawn and distant.

When Annie’s best friend Donna Rae died, her death was felt profoundly by her Chimpanzee family, and to witness their pain, was so very difficult. To understand and see the love shared and the bonds formed, one can see how deeply affected everyone would be. I found at this time, the pain was more for those left behind, than for Donna Rae, who my heart told me, was in a better place, with her friend Annie, and her own family from Africa. That was a comfort, knowing she would no longer suffer, or be sad.

Pablo, Annie, Donna Rae

Eleven months later, on this Day of the Heart, Valentine’s Day, and the day that will never be the same again, for any of us who knew Billy. It would be the day he left us.
He was laughing and playing, when he suddenly dropped that morning. My last image of Billy was of him laying on his back, with my brother positioned over him, his mouth on Billy’s, trying to put air back into his lungs, massaging his heart, desperately working to keep him alive, and put life back into his body. It is an image that will remain in my mind forever, and one I can barely force myself to think about, even today.
We were all there, and we were uncontrollable, we cried, we were in shock, and in so much pain. It was an unbearable blow to all of us, and to the many friends who had met Billy, and knew what an amazing and truly special Ambassador he was. His loss was so difficult to accept for so many people, his friends here at Fauna, people he had never met, and those who knew him well.

It was his heart that killed him, and our hearts that broke. We will never lose, the love we shared with him, or the love we still have for him.

Billy Jo, Jeannie, Little Man

One would think after all of that, how could we take another loss, but on January 1st,
eleven months after losing Billy, one of my very first Chimpanzee loves left us too, our beautiful Jeannie, who took a piece of my heart with her, when her heart stopped beating.
A beautiful soul, who inspired me to do what I do, and who still keeps me inspired, and always will. I will forever hold Jeannie’s heart in my heart.

With another eleven months passing, one of the most darling, loving, kind and beautiful little beings was taken when his heart could no longer continue. Little Man, our dear little Capuchin Monkey joined his family, leaving us filled with sadness, once again.

Certainly one of the most tragic loses at Fauna was the loss of Sophie, who had arrived on November 6th, 2007 from the Quebec City Zoo, with her two close friends Spock and Maya. Sophie died after suffering terribly with an enormous gastric ulcer, only 6 months after coming to Sanctuary at Fauna. In the short time we shared with Sophie, it was very clear she was extremely special, and not having more time with her, was a tragedy.

Sophie

So on this Day of the Heart, not only do we remember our Chimpanzee, and Monkey family, but we can not help but think of all the wonderful and very special beings we have loved and cared for here at Fauna.

None will be forgotten, and all, will be forever, a part of our hearts.

Over the years I have met and fell in love with some very special beings, Cats, Rabbits, Pigs, Cows, Goats, Orangutans, Dogs, Parrots, Monkeys and many Chimpanzees. I will think of all of them on this special day, and remember how much I loved them, and will always love them.

At this time, I would say to all of our friends and supporters who have lost someone dear to them in the past year, or at all. Let us remember them, and open our hearts. Letting more love in, to feel all of the emotions that come with loving. This includes the pain, the emptiness, the tremendous feeling of joy and happiness when we are in love, and most of all the pleasure in giving love.

When we lose someone we love, we usually decide we will never love like that again. What a mistake that would be, because if we can feel that much pain and love that much, then we have no choice but to love again, and even more than we did before. Remembering how fragile life is, how important every moment is with someone we love, and to remember how strong the Heart really is.

That is what I will think about this Day of the Heart, and I will think of all of you with your enormous hearts, loving and strong.

Our hearts have been forever touched, and we are blessed.

Have a Special Valentines Day,
With love,
Gloria

From the Heart/Message du coeur

Fauna has some truly special friends and this Valentine's Day we received some wonderful gifts, beautiful cards and notes, and even a Pizza Party from Sharon Stewart a Fauna volunteer.

The Chimps have a new Aunty, and her name is as beautiful as our Petra's name is. I have always loved Petra's name, it is strong and meaningful. This special new Aunt calls herself Nel, but her name is Pieternella. You can read the article her local paper wrote about this special friend and see what a Big Heart this new Aunty has. (view blog posting on Feb. 9th)

La Fondation Fauna a de merveilleux amis et le jour de la St-Valentin nous recevons de magnifiques cadeaux, de belles cartes de souhaits et des notes et même une fête avec de la pizza organisée par Sharon Stewart, une bénévole de la Fondation.

Les chimpanzés ont dorénavant une nouvelle tante dont le nom évoque celui de notre belle Petra. J'ai toujours aimé le nom de Petra car ce nom est fort et éloquent. Cette tante que l'on surnomme Nel s'appelle Pieternella. Il est possible de lire un article à propos d'elle parut dans son journal local et de constater son grand coeur (consultez l'affichage du 9 février).

A long time friend of Fauna, someone else with a Heart that is filled with love for all animals, and her name is Marina. We received bags and bags filled with wonderful and very special gifts for each and every resident, even some of the humans. What always touches me about the gifts and notes Marina sends, is that she always remembers those who have left us, but live in our hearts forever. There is no doubt that Marina's heart is filled with a great deal of love, compassion and empathy.

Une amie de longue date de la Fondation, une autre personne avec un grand coeur rempli d'amour pour tous les animaux, nous a envoyé des sacs et des sacs pleins de cadeaux et de jouets pour chacun de nos résidents, même les humains. Cette amie se nomme Marina. Ce qui me touche le plus des cadeaux et notes de Marina c'est qu'elle se souvient toujours de ceux qui nous ont quitté et qui demeure dans nos coeurs pour toujours. Il n'y a aucun doute que le coeur de Marina est rempli avec beaucoup d'amour, de compassion et d'empathie.


We cannot forget the mail, and the special notes so many of you have sent to us, remembering that on this" Day of the Heart" we celebrated Pablo's Birthday, and we lost Billy.
February is also the Birthday month of Spock and Petra, and so we receive cards and letters, gifts and extra help from Volunteers.

As you know we have an Adopt-a-Chimp program, and so some lucky Chimpanzees get special cards from their adoptive families. Regis, Binky, and Petra received some beautiful hand made cards from the children in their human families. So very sweet and heart warming indeed.

Nous ne pouvons oublier le courrier et les messages que tant de vous nous avez envoyé, se souvenant en ce "jour des coeurs" que nous fêtons l'anniversaire de Pablo et le départ de Billy. Le mois de février est également l'anniversaire de Spock et Petra et nous recevons des cartes de souhaits, des lettres, des cadeaux et de l'aide supplémentaire de nos bénévoles.

Comme vous le savez déjà nous avons un programme d'adoption pour les chimpanzés et certains de nos chanceux primates recoivent des cartes biens spéciales de la part des familles d'adoption. Regis, Binky et Petra ont tous reçu des cartes faites à la main par des enfants. C'est tellement gentil et chaleureux!

The Note from the family read:
Dear Mrs. Grow,
We have recently 'adopted' Regis and our kids wanted to send him a few gifts for valentines Day. We hope he likes them! We have also included one small stuffed animal for his best friend Jethro, and one for Binky. To all at Fauna, we wish a Happy Valentine's Day!
Sincerly,
Caroline Mathieu
La note de la famille se lit comme suit:

Chère Mme Grow,

Nous avons "adopté" Regis récemment et nos enfants voulaient lui envoyé quelques cadeaux pour la St-Valentin. Nous espérons qui les aimera! Nous avons aussi inclus un petit animal en peluche pour son meilleur ami Jethro et un pour Binky. À tous à la Fondation Fauna, nous vous souhaitons une belle St-Valentin!

Sincèrement,

Caroline Mathieu

I have to share this note with everyone, and I am sure you will agree that we are surrounded by some truly amazing people, of all ages, from many places, but with one thing in common, Really Big Hearts.
This note is from Sharon,

"Billy Jo was the reason that I wanted to get involved with Fauna. I had watched "Sanctuary: A New Life for Research Chimpanzees", and was so moved by the hardships he and all the other chimpanzees had endured their time in the lad, that I felt I must get involved with Fauna.
From Billy Jo getting so excited in having spaghetti for the first time in years, to Petra getting out and going to Gloria for hugs because the washing machine noise had scared her, left an indelible mark on me. I am so proud and humbled to be able to contribute in some small way to the well being of these magnificent individuals. So, with the pizza party we can celebrate Spock and Petra's Birthdays, as well as pay tribute to Billy Jo, Pablo and Sophie with all the joy and wonder that they have left as their legacy to us."

I cannot read this without crying, it is because of this kind of love and support, we are able to get through the sad and painful times. Friends like all of you, inspire and give us strength.

Thank you all so much for all the Love you give and share.

Je souhaite partager avec vous cette note et je suis certaine que vous serez d'avis que nous sommes entourés de gens exceptionnels, de tous âges, de tous lieux, ayant une chose en commun: un grand coeur.

Cette note vient de Sharon:

"Billy Jo était la raison pour laquelle je voulais m'impliquer avec la Fondation Fauna. J'avais regardé la vidéo "Sanctuary: A new life for research chimpanzees" et j'ai été tellement émue par la cruauté et les difficultés rencontrés par Billy et tous les autres chimpanzés en laboratoire que j'ai ressenti que je devais participer et prendre partie. Billy Jo si excité de manger du spaghetti pour la première fois depuis des années et Petra sortant et se réfugiant auprès de Gloria alors que la machine à laver faisait un vacarme et qui l'avait effrayée, ces événements m'ont réellement marqué.

Je suis si fière et humble de pouvoir apporter ma petite contribution si petite soit elle pour le bien-être de ces individus si magnifiques. Alors avec cette fête et la pizza nous célébrons l'anniversaire de Petra et Spock en plus de rendre hommage à Billy Jo, Pablo et Sophie et toute la joie et l'émerveillement qu'ils nous ont laissé en héritage."

Je ne peux lire ce texte sans verser des larmes car c'est avec cet amour et ce soutien que nous pouvons traverser les périodes tristes et difficiles. Des amis comme vous tous nous apportent l'inspiration et la force.

Merci à vous tous pour l'Amour que vous partagez avec nous!

What Love can do

On Friday January 30th, we almost lost our very first rescue here at Fauna; our beautiful horse Jethro. He was discovered early in the morning lying down on his side, covered in snow, and unable to get up. Jethro is over 30 years old and had an injury to his back leg months ago. He will always have a problem with it, and has medication to take when he looks uncomfortable. Jethro loves to lie down to sleep, but on this day, he probably did not have the strength to get up. He had lay for too long on his side, and struggled to get up, and ended up exhausted and sweating. When the carpenters who were working at the horse shelter that week discovered him, they called over to my home immediately. We called our amazing horse Veterinarian, Dr. Cesarie, and he came within 15 minutes. Seeing a Horse lying on his side, and to hear the sounds he made as he tried so hard to get up was heartbreaking. He was shivering and we were desperately trying to keep his body temperature up, until the Vet got there. It was so terrifying and so sad, Jethro is so special and I prayed he would not die that day. When the Vet arrived he gave Jethro pain killers IV, and then we all tried to help him stand up. Horses cannot lie down for long, and he was going into hypothermia, from sweating and being on the snow. He was clearly exhausted, and had lost feeling in his front leg now, from laying on it, pressing on the nerve. Dr. Cesarie massaged him, told us to keep him warm and to walk him back and forth. He did not want him to go into a building, but instead to stay in his winter shelter outside, for fear he go down again, and be in more trouble in a stall. I had to leave for a conference that day, and we had staff on vacation at this time, leaving us with enough people to do all the chores, but not enough to spend the day with Jethro, so our carpenters took over the job. We were lucky that day too, that Pat Ring was back in town, he worked with me here for nearly 20 years, and he knew Jethro well, so when he saw that Mario was walking Jethro and making sure he was comfortable we were all greatly relieved. Dr. Cesarie gave great instruction on what to do, and how to help him, to be careful not to let him lie down again, eat too much, or slip on the ground. Dr. Cesarie stopped by later that day, and could not believe how good Jethro looked, and how well he was being cared for. He said we got there just in time, we could have lost him. So, I thank Jocelyn for finding him, Dr. Cesarie for saving him, Joanie for being there so quickly, and Mario for caring for him all that day and the next two days when he needed to be so closely watched. Dr. Cesarie drives by and checks him daily, from the road, but that is the kind of extra attention and dedication a Veterinarian has for his patients. In my heart I felt that Jethro put his heart into it, because of the energy around him. So this is one the most special Valentines Gifts I received.

Fauna In the News

We've had a pretty exciting New Year . We have some very special events and exciting things going on. We have been speaking with some amazing Authors and Journalists recently, and have some rather interesting stories to follow. We also will be doing a Radio Interview on a new Animal Issues radio program.

Let me tell you about the first one:

Erika Ritter has a new book called The Dog and the Cradle, the Serpent Beneath: Some Paradoxes of Human-Animal Relationships, which deals with the contradictory nature of humanity's age-old involvement with animals. That involvement encompasses love and cruelty, exploitation and exaltation, kindness as well as commodification. Because no other animal exemplifies all these contradictions more poignantly than chimpanzees, Erika Ritter spent a day at Fauna speaking with me. Erika's book covers that experience in detail, along with reflection on horses, dogs, pigs and other species who have been both the beneficiaries and the victims of mankind's attentions. To learn more about The Dog and the Cradle, the Serpent Beneath, check out Erika's website www.erikaritter.com. The author will be reading from the book at the Blue Metropolis Festival in April, and specific information about that will also be on her website as soon as available.
We hope you will join us there to hear Erika read from her book.

On Sunday February 22nd, at 1:30 I will be doing a radio interview with Jody Fabrikant. The program discusses many animal issues, events, stories and so much more. We will be talking about Fauna's amazing residents. The program is called, Wag Your Tale WKNY radio.
I hope you can listen in.

We had a special visit from the award winning author of many books, Kenneth Oppel on February 5th and 6th. He was in Montreal visiting our Sanctuary doing research for a new book he is working on. He is a very interesting and compassionate person, and it was a pleasure to speak with him and to share the stories of the Chimps. Please go to his website and see the amazing work he has done. You can find him at www.kennethoppel.ca.
We look forward to working with him even more in the future.

Another exciting visit we have coming up, is from Anne Mullen's, another amazing Canadian author. Anne will be here on March 5th, working on a piece for Reader's Digest Canada. I look forward to meeting her and having her meet our Chimpanzee family. You can look at the work of Anne on her website at www.annemullen's.com.
This will be a wonderful opportunity for Fauna.

Then last but not least, is Andrew Westoll. I had an amazing conversation with this Canadian author and journalist who is working on a piece for the magazine "The Walrus". Andrew is also someone to watch out for, and has written some very interesting books. We are looking forward to his visit in March sometime. We will keep you posted, but in the meantime, please go to his website to see the work he has done. You can find him at www.andrewwestoll.com.
We are anxious for Andrew to meet the Fauna Family.

A message from Chimp Haven

Thank you for caring about the Keithville Krewe!

Dear Friends of the Krewe,

On behalf of the chimpanzees Sarah, Sheba, Keeli, Ivy, Harper and Emma, the Chimp Haven staff and Board of Directors – our deepest appreciation to the many individuals who have helped to support the Krewe since their arrival at Chimp Haven two and a half years ago. Your encouragement, support and concern for these special chimpanzees are inspiring. The chimpanzees have benefitted from your visits, monetary support and many gifts of blankets, toys, goodie boxes and special bean cakes!

Today is Harper’s 9th birthday. He arrived here as a youngster and has grown into a handsome, strong and socially-savvy young adult. Every day he learns so much about being a chimpanzee from the other adult males in his group. Of course, Harper will always have his playful side and endearing personality – making him a favorite of the chimpanzees and humans alike!

We at Chimp Haven are honored to have the opportunity to know these chimpanzees and provide them with a loving home. We are thrilled at the prospect that they remain here for the rest of their lives.

In gratitude,

Linda Brent


Linda Brent, Ph.D.
President and Director

CHIMP HAVEN, Inc.
The National Chimpanzee Sanctuary
13600 Chimpanzee Place
Keithville, LA 71047
318-925-9575
318-925-9576 fax
lbrent@chimphaven.org
www.chimphaven.org
Chimp Haven relies on donations from individuals, organizations and businesses to provide the finest care and enrichment for the chimpanzees. All donations, small and large, are both appreciated and needed.

Ape Advocate Cries Foul Over Super Bowl Simians

Check out the following link and let you voice be heard, every year there are Chimpanzees in the super bowl commercials.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/brenda-scott-royce/ape-advocate-cries-foul-o_b_165483.html

Today is Spocks Birthday!

Spock is 33 today!!

Spock is quite a handsome chimp; he has a speckled face and the cutest little lips. He has made some new friends since his arrival like Jethro and Pepper. He is a nervous guy so sometimes his insecurities get him in trouble with the other folks. Luckily he still has his friend Maya. Spock loves his morning smoothie and muffin and he is our tester for new cooked meals. He especially loves to play chase with his human friends, with his little foot popping up as he takes off running!

A special note from Sylvie Poulin Spock, Maya and Sophies' keeper from the zoo.

On this beautiful sunny day, I wanted to give my good old friend a message:
Hello my handsome Spock; today you are 33, it is a venerable age, Congratulations. You still have many more beautiful years to live with your new friends, and as you can see your old friend from Quebec has not forgotten you. I am sending you big kisses and a big hug on your nice big hands. Tell Maya to keep looking out for you, you nervous little guy
Sylvie Poulin from Quebec

En cette belle journée ensoleillée, je voulais te transmettre un message pour mon bon vieil ami Spock:

Bonjour beau Spock; aujourd'hui, tu as 33 ans , c'est un âge vénérable Bravo, tu as encore des belles années à vivre avec tes nouveaux amis, et comme tu vois ta vieille amie de Québec ne t'oublie pas. je t'envoie un gros bisou et une belle caresse sur tes belles grosses mains. Dis à Maya de continuer à veiller sur toi , le gros craintif... le bon bonhomme! Sylvie Poulin de Québec.

Fauna Donor Pieternellain Kleij in the news

Nell Kleij is helping the chimpanzees
By Christine Hosler

You’ve probably heard of Jane Goodall, or the Jane Goodall Institute, but now there is a cause supporting chimpanzees a little closer to home.
Established in 1997 by Gloria Grow and veterinarian Dr. Richard Alan, the Fauna Foundation is a non-profit organization that is a permanent home for abused animals.
This includes animals like llamas, pot-bellied pigs, geese, cattle, an ostrich named Sultan, and chimpanzees.
One of the primary focuses of the foundation is to provide a safe home for chimps rescued from research facilities where they have been abused.
Located in Quebec, Fauna was the first sanctuary to accept chimpanzees infected with HIV. Fauna is currently home to 13 chimpanzees.
Chimpanzees and humans are closely related; only 1.6 per cent of DNA differs between humans and chimps. Biologically, chimps are closer related to humans then gorillas. They are capable of intellectual performances, and in captivity they have even been taught American Sign Language (ALS), and are able to communicate with it. They use tools in their daily lives, and in captivity they enjoy many things that people do, like stuffed animals, blankets, crayons and colouring books, cleaning supplies, baby rattles, brushes and accessories.
And there is local involvement with these animals. Nell Kleij, a Baldwin Place resident, has been interested in chimps since her playtimes with a baby chimp when she was a child. And just recently she was given the opportunity to help. An old rerun of a commercial promoting the Fauna Foundation and their ‘adopt a chimp’ program on television inspired her in early December.
“I just had a light-bulb moment,” said Kleij. “I’d adopt one instead of (buying) stocking stuffers.”
And she did.
Announcing to her slightly disgruntled grandchildren that there would not be any stocking stuffers again this year (last year she donated the money to a charity), they soon became interested in the idea, and so Binky, an almost 20-year-old male chimpanzee, was adopted in their names.
At the same time Kleij also adopted another chimp, a soon to be 21-year-old female chimp named Petra. Both these chimpanzees where adopted for a one-time payment of $80, and they received a package that included photos of the two chimps, profiles, adoption certificates and information on the chimpanzees and the foundation.
Now Kleij has become more involved.
“I’m officially Aunty Nell to the chimpanzees,” laughs Kleij.
She makes blankets for the chimps, has gotten various local businesses and organizations to help her cause by donating fabrics for her to make blankets and toys for the animals, and she’s wrangled discount shipping prices for all the donations to get to the sanctuary.
She is also looking for donations, things that the sanctuary can give the chimps to keep them comfortable and happy. Items like beach buckets, brushes, stuffed animals, crayons and colouring books, rattles, plastic bowls and cups, cleaning implements, jello, juice, and fruit bowls. Monetary donations are also welcome, and tax receipts are available for donations over $10.
“It’s heartwarming to hear the happy stories,” said Kleij. “And to be able to help.”
Anyone wishing to learn more about the Fauna Foundation, chimpanzees, or how they can help can visit the foundations website at http://www.faunafoundation.org/

Article ID# 1415869

Rescued Fongoli Chimp Baby Reunited With Her Mother

Check out this amazing story!http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/news/chiefeditor/2009/01/chimpanzee-baby-rescue.html

Special Thanks/Remerciements

A special thanks goes out to Nancy Belley the manager at our local Familiprix pharmacy for donating Boost and Ensure for little Sophie and Pougie, as well as, putting us in contact with a wholesale supplier of baby toys. We were able to purchase nice toys for the Chimps and Monkeys at a great price.

Thank you!

Nous aimerions remercier Nancy Belley, gérante de la pharmacie Familiprix de la région pour avoir fait un don de produits Boost et Ensure pour notre petite Sophie et Pougie en plus de nous avoir mis en liaison avec un fournisseur de jouets pour enfants. Nous avons pu faire l'achat de bons jouets pour les chimpanzés et les petits singes à de bons prix.

Merci beaucoup!

Litte visitors with big gifts/Petits visiteurs avec de gros cadeaux

This summer Nicolas, Emma Rose and their mother came to visit with the chimps. Nicolas' mother, Kim, said that he was so excited about his visit that he hardly slept and had so many questions the following morning she could not get him to stop talking. He was the most inquisitive 5 year old I have ever met. He had brilliant questions and was totally mesmerized by the chimps. Here are some drawings he sent us for the chimps.

L'été dernier Nicolas, Emma Rose et leur mère Kim sont venus visiter les chimpanzés. Kim raconta que Nicolas était tellement excité de sa visite qu'il eut de la difficulté à dormir et posa tant de questions le lendemain matin qu'elle ne pouvait le faire taire. Ce petit de 5 ans est certainement le plus curieux de tous ceux que j'ai rencontré jusqu'à maintenant. Il posait des questions pertinentes et était complètement hypnotisé par les chimpanzés. Voici quelques dessins qu'il a envoyé aux chimpanzés.

Special Beds/ Lits douillets

Yoko enjoying his bed with his feet in the air as always!
Yoko s'amusant dans son lit les pieds en l'air, comme d'habitude!

Tom's stash! La réserve de Tom!

A little more for later! Quelques-un pour plus tard!

Toms' Bed / Lit a Tom

Some of the Fauna folks make the most amazing beds. Tom, Sue Ellen, Pepper and Yoko are the best of the best. Here are some of them. Notice how Tom places all his food for later, this was all found during the morning cleaning, what a guy!

Certains de nos résidents font les lits les plus douillets. De toute l'équipe Tom, Sue Ellen, Pepper et Yoko sont vraiment les champions. En voici quelques-un. Remarquez l'idée de Tom qui dispose sa nourriture en prévision pour plus tard. Son butin a été trouvé au cours du nettoyage du matin. Bravo Tom!

Kisses/Baisers

Binky and Petra giving huge kisses for my camera!

Guess who?

Binky et Petra qui donnent des baisers pour mon appareil photo!

Qui suis-je?

Petra, Binky, Binky

Sky view of the islands in winter/Vue aérienne des îles en hiver

We had windows in the Chimp House to fix so while we we up there we took some nice shots of the islands.
Nous avions besoin d'effectuer des travaux de réparation sur quelques fenêtres de la Maison des chimpanzés et nous en avons profité pour prendre quelques photos des îles.