http://www.centerforgreatapes.org/residents-details.aspx?id=18
Friday, October 14, 2011
Our Precious Grub at the Center for Great Apes
http://www.centerforgreatapes.org/residents-details.aspx?id=18
Grub – losing a friend - By Gloria Grow
On October 6th I learned of the death of a very dear and special friend, and one of the most remarkable chimpanzees I have ever known. Not only was he kind, sincere, intelligent and oh so very loving, he made us all feel he was our best friend. He had the ability to make you feel special, welcomed, and appreciated, so much like his human Mom, Patti. In so many ways he was just like her, and the world will never be the same without him.
I cannot even begin to imagine what this means to Patti, he was like a son to her and the loss will be great. So many of us in this work have lost amazing chimpanzees in our lives, and we have grieved deeply, in some cases after knowing them for just a short while. I cannot even begin to imagine the pain of losing someone you raised from the time they were a baby, as Grub was. He was a family member, like son, a deep and powerful bond.
I don’t even know what a day in the life of everyone at Center for Great Apes will be like for a long time. Grub was loved and cherished by all around him, Pongo, and Christopher who were raised with him, and to think of what Noelle, Kenya , Toddy, Mowgli the brother he was so recently reunited with, and dear Knuckles will go through is just so painful. It will take a strong group of people to try to console and comfort each other, to help each other go through the grieving process, and to continue to move forward for the living.
Patti wrote that to know Grub is without pain now is most important, and for him surely this is a peaceful and wonderful place, but for those left, it will be awhile before his presence will not be missed.
Dearest Patti, my heart breaks for you, for them and for everyone who knew and loved Grub. He was a true Angel, and he will be deeply missed.
Deepest condolences to my dear friend Patti, all the wonderful caring staff at The Center for Great Apes, and especially to Grub’s immediate chimpanzee family.
“Let my heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God.” -
Good bye dear friend,
Gloria
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Amazing Volunteers
Thank You Isabel!
Ces derniers mois, nous avons eu la chance d’avoir parmi nous une bénévole hors du commun, Isabel Martin. Originaire de Toronto et diplômée en anthropologie, avec une spécialisation en primatologie, elle nous a été chaudement recommandée par deux sanctuaires où elle a œuvré, soit la Fondation Koko en 2009 (http://www.koko.org/foundation/) et le CHCI (Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute) en 2010 (http://www.cwu.edu/~cwuchci/). Pendant son séjour à la Fondation Fauna, elle a contribué à de nombreuses activités, en particulier aux activités d’enrichissement. Voici quelques-unes de ses initiatives. À suivre…
Merci, Isabel!
Canada Day
Cook Out at the chimp house
Insect Garden Party
A note from Isabel:
My name is Isabel and I would like to share with you the incredible experience I have had being a summer volunteer here at Fauna. Having spent the previous two summers volunteering at other primate sanctuaries, I thought I knew what was in store for me, but boy was I surprised! Although feeling intrepid at first, everyone here greeted me warmly and made me feel part of the Fauna family. Especially at the chimp house where I met twelve of the most beautiful and charming chimps on this planet. Each one has a big personality--like Toby’s soft demeanour, Yoko’s readiness, Petra’s budda-like quiet presence, and Rachel’s grace--and meeting them underscored for me how important it is that we continue to create a better world for all chimps who are suffering in labs, circuses, and road-side zoos. We have to make that day today and not wait for tomorrow.
Although I initially spent a lot of time working on the farm (I never knew how much I loved goats!) and at the monkey house where I was always first greeted with a hello by Darla, the work at the chimp house exercised my skill set in a very good way. I was put on smoothie patrol, coming up with new and tasty smoothie ideas for the chimps, who always showed up like clockwork when smoothie time rolled around. We experimented using some odd combinations to be sure (tomato, spinach and apple anyone?), so naturally there were some misses. But happiness reigned in my heart when there were hits. One particularly good one to try and currently in season is the ABC smoothie (AvocadoBasilCorn). Unusually good and chimp-approved! Here it is: In a blender add one ripe avocado, corn niblets from one ear of corn, 1 cup of frozen orange segments,1small lemon piece, 1 1/2 frozen bananas, 6-7 basil leaves, 1 cup of soy and add some water to thin out. Invite two friends to join you because this recipe makes 3 smoothies. Enjoy!
Also, one of the great honours I had was to work with Tasha, an animal-care worker, on weekly enrichment theme ideas for the chimps who are a demanding but appreciative audience. Some of the things they enjoyed this summer were our mardi-gras hoops, the jello-enhanced pool sharks and the metre-long paper hotdog with all the real fixins as well as the accompanying food enrichment using all of their favourites: green mango salad, tapioca pudding parfaits, honeyed popcorn and frozen jello pops. The food was always a hit!
It’s always incredibly hard to leave when the summer is over. It just doesn’t seem fair-time has allowed bonds to grow, you fall in love with the big apes, and you hope that they have come to like you too. Chimps are ironically the best teachers on how to be human, showing us that all emotions are ok, no judgments, just express what you’re feeling and then move on (or go eat!). Everything they feel is BIG and urgent, but then it passes and then they go lie down, take a walk, hang out with each other, groom one another or interact with their human friends. Although each one has had an incredibly difficult, trying life before Fauna, they laugh, love and play because that is what a day is made for. They are my kind of people.
Une Note de Isabel:
Bonjour, je m’appelle Isabel et j’aimerais partager avec vous l’expérience extraordinaire que j’ai vécue comme stagiaire bénévole à la Fondation Fauna au cours de l’été qui s’achève. Ayant passé les deux étés précédents comme bénévole dans des sanctuaires pour primates, je croyais savoir à quoi m’attendre, mais quelle surprise! Je me sentais un peu intimidée au départ, mais les gens ont été tellement accueillants à mon égard, comme si je faisais partie de la famille. À la maison des chimpanzés, j’ai fait la connaissance de douze des plus magnifiques et adorables chimpanzés de la planète. Chacun et chacune d’entre eux a son tempérament bien particulier. Toby est tout en douceur, Yoko est prêt à tout, Petra a la présence apaisante d’un bouddha et Rachel possède une grâce hors du commun. À les côtoyer, j’ai compris à quel point il importe de poursuivre nos efforts en faveur de tous ces chimpanzés qui mènent une existence misérable dans des laboratoires, des cirques ou des jardins zoologiques. Nous devons le faire avant qu’il ne soit trop tard.
Au début, j’ai surtout travaillé à la ferme, où je me suis découvert une affinité particulière pour les chèvres, et à la maison des petits singes, où Darla m’accueillait chaque jour. Plus tard, à la maison des chimpanzés, on m’a affectée à la brigade des «smoothies», ces délicieux breuvages nourrissants dont raffolent les chimpanzés. J’ai mis à l’essai plusieurs nouvelles recettes qu’ils ne se faisaient pas prier de déguster, l’heure venue. Une combinaison tomate, épinards et pommes? Pourquoi pas? Même si certains mélanges ont eu moins de succès que d’autres, j’étais ravie chaque fois qu’une de mes innovations trouvait preneur. Une des réussites de la saison actuelle est composée d’avocats, de basilique et de maïs et porte le sceau d’approbation des chimpanzés. En voici la recette :
Dans un mélangeur, incorporer un avocat mûr, les grains d’un épi de maïs, une tasse de quartiers d’orange congelés, un petit morceau de citron, une banane et demie, congelée, 6 ou 7 feuilles de basilic, une tasse de lait de soya et un peu d’eau pour éclaircir le tout. Cette recette donne trois portions. Bon appétit!
J’ai eu aussi beaucoup de plaisir à travailler avec Tasha, qui s’occupe des activités d’enrichissement hebdomadaires pour les chimpanzés, une clientèle plutôt exigeante, mais qui sait apprécier ce qu’on lui offre. Ils ont bien rigolé avec les anneaux de mardi-gras, les requins au jello et les hot-dogs en papier tout garnis, d’un mètre de long, sans compter leur enrichissement préféré- les gâteries dont ils raffolent : salade de mangue verte, parfaits au tapioca, maïs soufflé au miel et sucettes glacées à la gélatine.
C’est extrêmement difficile de partir à la fin de l’été, après s’être épris de ces grands singes, qui parfois, même, nous le rendent un peu. Chose surprenante, les chimpanzés sont passés maîtres dans l’art d’exprimer ses émotions. Avec eux, tout s’exprime, sans jugement, dans l’instant présent, puis on passe à autre chose- ou alors, on va grignoter quelque chose. Tout ce qu’ils ressentent est important, tout de suite. Et puis, ça passe et ils vont faire la sieste, ou une promenade, ou rejoindre leurs amis, se faire la toilette, peu importe. Même si tous ont eu une vie douloureuse avant leur arrivée au sanctuaire, ils savent encore rire, aimer et s’amuser, un jour à la fois. Quelle leçon de vie!
Dale Hepburn has been a Fauna volunteer for two years now. Her very first visit was organized by her son Jeff as a surprise in April of last year, Dale had no idea she was coming to see the chimps and visit the sanctuary so you can imagine her surprise. Dale then spent the following months buying and receiving donations of items for the chimps and brought a similar amount of gifts on her very first volunteer day in June 2010. Here are some of the great gifts Dale brought along on this trip. We always wonder how she manages to fit it all in her car, but she does.
Thank you Dale!
Dale Hepburn nous a rendu visite pour la deuxième année de suite. En avril dernier, son fils Jeff avait voulu la surprendre en organisant pour elle une visite du sanctuaire qui l’avait enchantée. Par la suite, Dale s’est affairée à acheter et à recueillir de nombreux dons d’articles pour les chimpanzés, qu’elle nous a rapportés lorsqu’elle est revenue pour une semaine complète de bénévolat, au mois de juin. Cette année, elle récidivait! Voici quelques-uns des cadeaux qu’elle a rapportés. Nous nous demandons bien comment elle réussit à tout faire entrer dans sa voiture…
Merci, Dale!
Friday, October 7, 2011
Fauna on the Montreal Dog Blog by Nat Lauzon
Nat Lauzon formerly from Mix 96 came by this past August to interview Gloria and write a story for her blog called "Montreal Dog Blog"
Her is her story entitled "This one's for you Pepper!"Click on the link below for the full article
http://www.montrealdogblog.com/9409/pepper/
A special message from Gloria
The Montreal Dog Blog’s Shelly and Nat
Visitors to Fauna are always a delight and this summer was no exception. This summer we had the opportunity to spend time with some of our cherished supporters, new and long time volunteers, and first time visitors. Among the new supporters we found two special people, we now call friends. I had the pleasure of meeting Shelly Elsliger and Nat Lauzon when they came for the first time in July.
Nat is well known for her years as being a radio host in Montreal for Mix 96 (now Virgin Radio). A lot of Montrealers have grown up listening to Nat. She has always been a friend to animals and has been involved in animal welfare issues in and around the area. Unfortunately her voice can no longer be heard daily as she recently left Virgin Radio to concentrate on her animal projects and voice work.
Shelly is a career advisor at Concordia University in Montreal and also uses her power of words as a blogger. She lends her expertise to cover not only animal topics, but likes to concentrate on sustainable living, educating readers on cruelty free product shopping. Both her and Nat are the main reasons that the Montreal Dog Blog is so successful today.
They have produced an amazing and much needed Blog that is specific to Montreal and addresses many of the questions and concerns people living with companion animals have. It is a concise and accurate tool for anyone who cares about animals.
I think the Blog is a wonderful resource and I was delighted to hear of its popularity and success. There is such a need for this information, and I was very interested in meeting the people behind the Blog.
They had contacted us after learning about our work and the chimps to ask if there was anything they could do to help. A sanctuary like ours is always in need of something, so naturally we do have a very long list of items on our wish list, and that seemed like the perfect place to start. They spread the word on their blog about Fauna, asking people to donate what they could from our wish list of items we would like for the chimps, and they had a wonderful response.
A few weeks later, Shelly and Nat were delivering a van full of goodies to Fauna, and it was like Christmas in July.
I met Shelly and Nat at the office, saw all the wonderful gifts they brought, and then off we went to the chimp house so they could meet our amazing residents. When we arrived at the gate, there to greet us were Pepper and Sue Ellen. They were sitting up high in the new section of sky walk (an elevated section of caging), a wonderful location right at the front gate, with a perfect view of everyone who comes to the chimp house or passes by in a day. With Fauna’s 15 or so employees, volunteers and contract workers there is an awful lot to see in a day, and it is wonderful to see that Pepper and Sue want to be a part of the action, it helps pass the long days and gives them so much to look forward too, never knowing what wonderful surprises we have in store for them. Today’s surprise would be two special new friends. I would have the chance to introduce Nat and Shelly to our new socialite Miss Pepper and her best friend Sue Ellen. For all the years Pepper hid in the back of the chimp house or hid up high in the building out of sight, these past few months have shown us a new and very exciting side of Pepper. A side of her we didn’t really know about.
I don’t know what happened exactly, or why she came out of hiding- all I do know is that it has been a remarkable breakthrough for this very special soul. From terrified, aloof, shy and introverted Pepper to the outgoing, outspoken super social Miss Pepper- the transformation has been simply magical. When we opened the gate Pepper just greeted us with the warmest welcome, I know she was curious to see the cast I had on my leg, and I am sure that was part of the excitement as well as the site of new people.
Pepper was so excited, we hadn’t seen each other for a few days after my accident, so to have a nice visit was really important. I knew Pepper would want to see why I had a cast on my foot, and to see for herself what was up. She is very compassionate and concerned about others so for her to need to see was very special and important to her and to me. I had the choice of going up the stairs to be close to her and leave my guests behind, or invite my guests to come up with me. Pepper did not appear to be stressed at all by the guests and was interacting right away with them, looking them in the eye, greeting them with her gestures and in general just interested in a visit with me, my cast and new people. She wasn’t too bothered at all by the visitors, and I knew how important it was to Pepper to see me close up after such a time away from her, and it didn’t feel right to stay so far away and not interact with her at this time. I decided to invite my guests to follow me up the stairs to the mezzanine level, explaining to them what they had to do, and how they should react in this area where visitors are not usually able to go because it is more dangerous and stressful for the chimps. There is always caging and lots of bars between the chimps and the humans, but it can and is very dangerous if you are not careful, and I trusted that my guests would pay close attention to everything we discussed earlier about safety.
Pepper was there, Sue Ellen right beside her and Chance was off in the background. I could see right away that Shelly and Nat were not sure what to do or how to act, but within minutes Pepper and Sue showed them. It is amazing to meet a chimpanzee in person, and to feel the energy that is exchanged between them and us. I know how impressive it is and I could see that my guests were feeling it too. When Pepper responded to my comments and questions, when she went to bring over the empty water bottle asking for something to drink, how she passed me the cup I asked her for, we were in a conversation and to see that is rather impressive and overwhelming. I know it was for me the first time I met chimpanzees at CHCI, many years ago, and I can only imagine what my visitors were feeling.
We sat for more than 20 minutes admiring Pepper, chatting with her and talking about her life in the lab and her life at Fauna. I could see that Pepper had two new admirers, and I was so happy for her that she had been recognized as the truly amazing soul she is.
Nat and Shelly were clearly moved by the whole experience and it made me feel very much at ease with them, knowing they understood how special this moment was. We left Pepper and Sue Ellen after a lovely visit with them. We went for a little walk to see who else might be outside before going into the building, and as we went around the corner heading towards Billy’s Island we noticed we had two followers, there they were again, Pepper and Sue Ellen following us to see where we were going next. They had gone into the building, up two sets of stairs, crossed over the tunnel, down another ladder into a night room, then out into the sky walk heading towards the Island. It was a long walk for them, but they really wanted to stay with us.
I knew they must be completely comfortable, because they wanted to continue the visit. We were delighted to see them again, and knowing that Pepper had chosen to spend time with these enlightened guests was lovely. They were definitely worth Pepper’s time, and that was obvious.
Pepper is a wonderful judge of character and would never participate in a visit if she did not want too. Pepper sat looking at us then requested my hand for grooming. While she was grooming me she kept looking at Nat and Shelly and I knew she was curious about them and would probably like to engage in a grooming session, a very important social activity for a chimpanzee. It is difficult for me to just allow a chimpanzee to touch a human through the bars, the risk is high and can be extremely dangerous.
So, I knew what Pepper wanted, but I was processing. It is always a risk, and not something I would do just because a human wanted an interaction with a chimp. I would do it if the individual chimpanzee was inviting the interaction maybe. Well, it was as though she was reading my thoughts, and helping me make the decision. Pepper turned her back to us, a clear and obvious invitation, and usually a safe interaction, she looked over her shoulder at me. I respected her invitation and touched her back, then she glanced towards Shelly and Nat, that was it, they had been invited to groom her. Indicating that she was the one in control, and she was making the decision. I could never have asked her to do that, and I wouldn’t ever ask her to allow someone to groom her, and she wouldn’t do it anyway even if I did ask her too.
It was lovely to see Pepper so at ease and feel comfortable enough with them to invite and initiate contact. My darling Pepper, after 14 years here at Fauna, coming out of her secret world, a world of loneliness and fear is truly heartwarming.
She didn’t stay long- but it didn’t take long for her to not only allow someone to touch her- but for her to touch someone in the most remarkable way.
Pepper has magical powers, she can melt your heart, open your eyes, and fill you with so much love your heart can barely stand it. That is how we feel around her.
Thank you Shelly and Nat, for taking the time to spread the work about Fauna and our mission. We need friends like you and we hope you can be there for the chimps for a long time.
The chimp’s wish list is a long one, and never a day goes by where we aren’t trying to find another new way to help them stay active, emotionally healthy and stimulated by their environment. We will always need you in our lives to help us make their lives in captivity better.
WINDOWS WITHOUT BARS FOR THE CHIMPS
http://www.avivacommunityfund.org/ideas/acf11543
Thanks for all your continued support.
Project R&R Action alert
Captive Chimpanzees Require “Endangered” Status
NEAVS, along with other organizations, filed a petition spearheaded by HSUS with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) requesting that the agency “uplist” the status of captive chimpanzees from threatened to endangered. FWS agreed to review the request: “Based on our review, we find that the petition presents substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that listing all chimpanzees as endangered may be warranted.”
The Endangered Species Act protects wildlife and promotes conservation, but captive chimpanzees who are only listed as threatened are deprived of protections afforded their free-living kin, who are listed as endangered. Captive U.S. chimpanzees are used in entertainment, invasive research, and are kept as exotic pets.
The petition states, "It is clear that exploitation of this species for biomedical purposes has not positively benefitted chimpanzees in captivity or in the wild…and undermines chimpanzee conservation." The petition further argues that this unusual split listing is "scientifically unjustifiable."
Click on the following link for the full Alert:
http://my.neavs.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=3541.0
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Fauna E-News Available Now! / Bulletin de Nouvelles !
Hello everyone,
With summer over and fall just around the corner, we look back and feel blessed for the time spent with those we love. We have had our fair share of losses here at Fauna. Many of them were seniors whose lives have come to a natural end, such as our Terrific Turkey Agnes. But some of those losses were unexpected, which is always so difficult for all of us.
Click on the following link for the full e-news:
http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs025/1103523274568/archive/1105684009928.html
Message de Gloria
Bonjour à tous,
Avec un autre été qui s'achève et l'automne à nos portes, nous sommes reconnaissants du temps qui nous est accordé auprès de tous ceux qui nous sont chers. Cette année encore, nous avons dû composer avec la perte de plusieurs résidents du sanctuaire. Certains d'entre eux étaient très avancés en âge, comme notre dindon Agnès, alors que d'autres départs nous ont pris tout à fait par surprise, ce qui rend toujours les choses plus difficiles à accepter.
http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs025/1103523274568/archive/1107891860269.html
Bonjour à tous,
Avec un autre été qui s'achève et l'automne à nos portes, nous sommes reconnaissants du temps qui nous est accordé auprès de tous ceux qui nous sont chers. Cette année encore, nous avons dû composer avec la perte de plusieurs résidents du sanctuaire. Certains d'entre eux étaient très avancés en âge, comme notre dindon Agnès, alors que d'autres départs nous ont pris tout à fait par surprise, ce qui rend toujours les choses plus difficiles à accepter.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
The Chimps Of Fauna Sanctuary book by Andrew Westoll
For more ways to help visit the HOW TO HELP page. http://www.faunafoundation.org/html/donate.html
For more information on what is new at Fauna visit the NEWS AND MEDIA section. http://www.faunafoundation.org/html/news_events.html
Cliquez sur le lien du site Amazone.ca pour acheter le livre d'Andrew Westoll et 4% du produit de la vente sera versé à la Fondation Fauna. Faites-le savoir à toutes vos connaissances.
Pour contribuer autrement, consultez l'onglet http://www.faunafoundation.org/html/donate.html.
Pour les plus récentes nouvelles au sujet de la Fondation, consultez l'onglet http://www.faunafoundation.org/html/news_events.html
Urge the Government to Protect Captive Chimpanzees
The Endangered Species Act is meant to protect wildlife and promote conservation, but current regulations deprive captive chimpanzees in the U.S. of protections normally afforded to threatened and endangered species. As a result they are frequently used in entertainment, invasive experiments, and kept as exotic pets. Studies have shown that using captive chimpanzees in these ways contributes to the mistaken belief that chimpanzees are not in danger of becoming extinct in the wild, which contributes to their decline.
The Humane Society of the United States, along with other conservation and animal protection organizations, filed a legal petition with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service asking the agency to list all chimpanzees as "endangered," which would help protect captive chimpanzees in the U.S. The agency is soliciting public comment on this issue. It's very important that they hear from you!
TAKE ACTION
Please contact the Fish and Wildlife Service and ask them to recognize captive chimpanzees as an endangered species. Please note that your comments will be available for public viewing. Click here for more information.
Click on the link below for full information and to Sign Petition