Transformation
April 19, 2013 by J.B. -
Earlier this week, as volunteer Keri and I were finishing a walk around the hill with Jamie, we did some quick calculations to figure out just how far Jamie is walking each day. At a minimum, I think she is doing a mile a day just in walks with her caregivers – around an enclosure that rises 100 feet in elevation from end to end, no less. For a free-living chimpanzee, this wouldn’t be much, but for a chimpanzee who spent her life in a laboratory, it’s not bad at all.
The physical transformations that we’ve witnessed over the past five years have been incredible. After decades in tiny cages in a windowless basement, these seven chimps finally saw the sun, breathed fresh air, and got to run, climb, jump, and swing. Almost immediately, their skin darkened, their hair filled in, and their muscles grew stronger.
While most of these changes occurred over the first few months, we are still witnessing changes to this day. I think this is driven in part by their emotional recovery. This morning, as I watched Jamie run playfully after her friend Missy, I couldn’t help thinking about how much physical health and emotional health are intertwined. The stronger they get, the more they play and explore. And the more they play and explore, the stronger they get. I guess they call this a virtuous cycle.
When I look back at photos from the chimps’ arrival in 2008, I hardly recognize them. Their bodies displayed the toll of so many years in the laboratory, but in their faces you could see the even greater damage that was done to their spirits. They looked sick, tired, scared, and beaten down:
Five years in sanctuary can do a lot. Today, Jamie looks better in every imaginable way. And I’m sure she feels the same. Who knows what changes we’ll see in the next five years.
12 Comments
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Genius Jamie is also now using more of her significant intellect, while improving physically. I love what you’re providing for her and the others!
WoW! That is a dramatic difference! So happy they are all out of pin cushion mode and able to live happily ever after! <3
What a wonderful post! It’s hard to imagine the CE7 in the windowless nightmare they lived. Their transformation speaks volumes of the love and care they’ve gotten
Thanks for sharing such wonderful news….I am so happy for them.
A much better way to cruise the Internet than the trouble in Boston. Thank you.
What an amazing difference. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen that photo of when she first arrived. Wonderful post as always, J.B.
What an amazing transformation. Seeing Jamie then and seeing her now…wow. It’s awesome! Bless all of you who take care of the CE7 with so much love and compassion. They are the truly blessed ones. Thanks for your post and pictures J.B. Love it.
A 180 degree improvement for Ms. Jamie.
I also noticed that the picture of Jamie on the scroll on the main page is so earnest and intelligent looking. She’s a very handsome lady.
I love the comfort and confidence Jamie exudes now.
BTW, I think if Negra is the “queen” of the CE7, Jamie is definately the Prime Minister.
This post and the before photo of Jamie brought tears to my eyes and heart. It makes me go from sad to mad very quickly! My gratitude to all of you at the Sanctuary is and always will be never ending!
She is so beautiful now, (inside and out) as are Missy, Negra, Jody, Burrito, Annie and Foxie!
That “before” photo was such a shock. I have seen them so healthy and happy lately that I’ve forgotten how they looked when they came in. Keep sharing these “before” photos during their journey, not just for the newer supporters who have joined this group in the last few years, but for those of us who continue to need a recurring spurt of indignation over other chimpanzees who are still in this kind of shape.