The grieving chimps
The November issue of National Geographic features an extraordinary photograph of a group of chimpanzees watching, evidently in solemn sympathy, as two humans prepare to bury a fallen peer.
The photograph has attracted so much attention--so many links--that National Geographic today, on its web site, offered more information about its origins. The photographer, Monica Szczupider, is a volunteer at the Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Center, in Cameroon. She submitted the photograph, taken a year ago, to the magazine as part of a regular contest for amateurs. Realizing what a fine shot they had on their hands, the editors promoted it to the magazine's regular "Visions of Earth" section, which features the best stand-alone photographs the magazine can find.
The simian subject of the shot, Dorothy, died in her late 40s of congestive heart failure. She'd been at the rescue center for eight years, after having worked for 25 years at an amusement park, where she was chained by the neck and taught to drink beer and smoke cigarettes. "As her health improved," writes the magazine's Jeremy Berlin, "her deep kindness surfaced. She mothered an orphaned chimp named Bouboule and became a close friend to many others, including Jacky, the group's alpha male, and Nama, another amusement-park refugee."
The Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Center, now home to 62 chimps, was founded in 1999 by Sheri Speede, a veterinarian who can be seen cradling Dorothy's head in the picture. Speede was assisted at the burial by Assou Felix, an employee of the center.
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This is just another piece of evidence that the differences between humans and animals, particularly the apes, are a matter of degree and not kind.
Humans ARE a species of ape.
Biologists are clear on this. There is no biological reason to put humans in a separate category as apes. Chimpanzees and bonobos are more closely related to humans than they are to gorillas and telemarketers.
I think we all need to get in touch with our inner ape, and no, I'm not joking.
This is a very moving photograph. If you get a chance, I recommend that you take a look at the photo in the magazine, which has better detail. If you have any doubt that an animal can have sincere emotions, take a close look at these somber faces, more than I've seen at some human funerals.
What an amazingly touching photograph. Elephants appear to grieve as well. We are all connected, despite those that believe the earth was made 500 years ago.
Drink beer and smoke cigarrettes? Where on this Earth was that considered entertainment?
Souls.
The difference between chimps and humans is simple-a chimp doesn't vote for Barney Frank
What we do to Apes, Chimps and Simians in general is murder. It's indisputable and the evidence is overwhelming.
Testing on pigs and mice is very very different from testing on Simians. We can do better as a society to protect these treasures.
Maybe the wrong specie is behind the fence?
Such a moving photograph. For those of us who love animals and work with them too, this is just more evidence of the depth of feeling they can experience and express. These animals are also an ancestral link to we humans. May this kind and hard working animal, who had been abused early on, now rest in peace. It is good to know she found a real home and such good care in the later years of her life.
Chimpanzees do eat other primates. Even baby humans. That's why Jane Goodall had to keep her son in a double barred cage.
Wow....the chimps behind the fence sure look as if they know they're at a funeral. Wonderful photo, very moving!
To the person that made a comment about Barney Frank. Plain and simple---GROW UP!! Why do you have to make comments that aren't even relative to the photograph. Your comment just showcases your ignorance and lack of emotion.
You people are all nuts. Wait, I mean bananas. We were never apes or chimps. We have always been humans. Period. Weirdos.
The difference between chimps and humans is simple-a chimp doesn't vote for Barney Frank
Posted by kevinluby October 28, 09 08:55 PM
Very funny.....unfortunately the difference between you and a human is much more profound.
wow...what a great shot...amazing.
Good night, Dorothy. You deserved better. Thank you for helping out where you could.
"Testing on pigs and mice is very very different from testing on Simians. We can do better as a society to protect these treasures."
Good point!
As for medical research, I've been a subject myself for a couple of studies done to help human patients. Likewise, I've heard of medical research restrictions on using simians make exceptions for veterinary medical research done to help simian patients.
Then there's the way knowledge gained from treating human patients has been used to help simian patients. For example, last year a baby gorilla in Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo had an infected cyst on her spine. Woodland Park had gorilla experts but no pediatric experts. The nearby Seattle Children's Hospital had surgeons experienced in removing these cysts from human babies, but no gorilla experts. Doctors and veterinarians from the two places teamed up (details at http://www.seattlepi.com/local/346922_gorilla11.html ) and saved her.
Go to the linked larger, more detailed photo. Spend time on this. Spend time on each face. Totally focused. None is distracted whatsoever. Sixteen diverse portraits of abject grief.
where is that "amusement" park? for heaven's sake this magnificent creature was put through that during the late 20th century! I hope the humans who ran that place are out of business and have been at least impacted financially for their unbelievable indifference to decency. I hope every dope who went through that park and did nothing has trouble sleeping.
A SMOKING MONKEY!!!!! HA!! Thats awesome.
Why is this surprising? Even dogs express solemness and empathy. Makes sense chimps would too.
For a counter example, let's have a moment of remembrance for Charla Nash, whose face was ripped off by an angry chimp.
"The difference between chimps and humans is simple-a chimp doesn't vote for Barney Frank." Posted by kevinluby October 28, 09 08:55 PM
What is wrong with you?
Can't you set aside politics even for a minute out of respect for deeper things in life?
I will stop making comments about Barney Frank and John Kerry when Massachusetts votes them out of office. It is my little form of political dissent and if you are offended by my comments then you are the one that needs to grow up. The comments I make about Frank are fall less severe than comments that were made by contemporaries of our founding fathers. Based on the comments posted by several readers, I am surprised there hasn't been a derogatory comment about Catholics or Catholic Priests or some other reference far more tasteless.
To all the posters insulted by many Frank reference I view your criticism as a compliments. When Massachusetts apaologizes for Barney Frank, then I will aplogize for my comments. Since that is about as likely to happen as a blizzard in Florida, I will continue to post my comments and get under your skin. It's grass roots dissent and I hope others across the nation do the same .
To all the posters insulted by many Frank reference I view your criticism as a compliments. When Massachusetts apaologizes for Barney Frank, then I will aplogize for my comments. Since that is about as likely to happen as a blizzard in Florida, I will continue to post my comments and get under your skin. It's grass roots dissent and I hope others across the nation do the same .
You people who get so worked up about animals are about as weird as they come.
awww!! :) its so CUTE!!
I love this and love the commentst specially about the"The difference between chimps and humans is simple-a chimp doesn't vote for Barney Frank"
This blogger might want to review your comment before posting it.
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