Elizabeth October 29th, 2009

UNITED in what appears to be profound grief, more than a dozen chimpanzees stood in silence from their enclosure as the body of one of their own was wheeled past

This extraordinary scene took place recently at the Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Centre in Cameroon, West Africa.

When a chimp called Dorothy, in her late 40s, died of heart failure, her fellow apes seemed to be stricken by sorrow.

As they wrapped their arms around each other, Dorothy’s keeper gave her an affectionate stroke on the head and settled her into the wheelbarrow that carried her to her grave.

I saw this touching photograph in The Age this morning, and it lingered in my thoughts long enough that I decided to google the rest of the story. What I discovered was a touching tribute, written by her friend and carer Dr Speede from the Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Centre.

Here is an excerpt from the article:

Dorothy spent at least 25 lonely years, and probably closer to 40 years, chained by her neck before a daily parade of people at an amusement park – people who thought it hilarious that she would beg for cigarettes and savor the butts they threw at her. After the first ever armed confiscation of primates in Cameroon in May 2000, Dorothy enjoyed eight years and four months at Sanaga-Yong Center surrounded by people and chimpanzees who cherished her.

Dorothy was a kind and giving soul. Those of us who loved her, enjoyed many hours being groomed by her. Her long lovely fingers were patient and unwavering in their gentleness; only seldom did she bow her head and look up sweetly, asking for someone to groom her in reciprocation. I trusted her completely, and for some inexplicable reason, considering the harm done to her by humans, she knew that she could trust us. Sanaga-Yong Center manager Agnes Souchal entered her enclosure recently and drew blood from Dorothy, with Dorothy’s permission.

Dorothy used gestures and sounds to communicate very effectively. “Come here.” “Give me that thing over there.” Give me that thing over there, NOW.” “NO, NO, NO, not that thing, the other thing!” “Open this door and let me in.” And my favorite, which fortunately was never applied to me: “Your presence is really annoying me. GO AWAY.” With a grunt and quick back flip of her hand, Dorothy communicated this last sentiment as succinctly as anyone ever could.

I believe that Dorothy loved her human friends, but the relationships that were most important to her, by far, were her relationships within her chimpanzee family. Dorothy was respected and loved by all in her family – perhaps most of all by Nama, her loyal friend who had suffered with her through some of those horrible years at the amusement park and who was rescued with her.

This page at IDA-Africa.org tells the story of Dorothy’s heart-breaking years in captivity, and her rescue. Another page is dedicated to the beautiful story of her adoption of an orphaned chimpanzee, Bouboule.

It’s such an incredible story, and a very powerful photograph. I wonder how different we really are?

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