For the past four and a half years I have been fortunate to volunteer my time photographing the remarkable chimpazees at the Fauna Sanctuary outside Montreal. This extraordinary place is home to 14 chimpanzees, 3 monkeys and a menagerie of rescued farm animals. The chimps and monkeys have, for the most part, arrived here from research labs, zoos or the entertainment industry. Because of humans, they no longer live a free and natural life in the wilderness and are reliant on caregivers in sanctuary to tend to their needs.

Chimpanzees are large, wild animals with tremendous strength and intelligence. After spending more than 20 years alone in a small lab cage, enduring endless medical procedures, no individual could emerge without physical and psychological scars. So it is for these chimpanzees. They live with their pain, with their memories; saddled with demons and struggling with illness. They are courageous souls who have had to develop new life skills, adapt to unnatural environments and learn to trust, or at the very least, rely on humans–the fellow primates responsible for their lives in captivity.

I am honoured that most days they allow me to photograph them. Believe me when I tell you if they do not want their picture taken, it does not get taken. They walk away, turn their heads, hide, or use more emphatical means to discourage my attention. They communicate very clearly to me–this is their choice.

As a photographer and story-teller, it is my responsibility to portray them with the dignity they deserve and I seek to reveal their remarkable personalities, their complex relationships and deep emotions. My objective is always to tell their story in a truthful and respectful manner.

Frankly, I am awed in their presence. They can just as easily disrupt as inspire my creative process! I am humbled when I am with them. I learn so much from the compassionate caregivers who try to make their lives easier and more enjoyable, allowing them to make decisions–choosing where they wander, who they spend time with, what they eat…always trying to provide them with choices.

On Chimpanzees and Cages…

Let’s be perfectly clear; these chimpanzees did not choose to live this way. This is our doing. Our choice. When I have an image posted of one of these sentient beings living at Fauna and I read comments that some people dislikes or would prefer not to see the “cages” or the “bars,” it bothers me for several reasons.

To begin with, the chimpanzees at Fauna do not live in “cages.”

These are the cages many of them once lived in. This is an actual cell from LEMSIP that now sits in the woods on the Fauna property, out of sight of the chimpanzees, but very much present to anyone working or visiting the property. These were the bars they once lived behind…

…these are the cages, that thankfully for these fourteen chimps, have been left behind.

Their living space at Fauna is enclosed, absolutely, with electric wire, metal bars, locked doors, concrete walls, and even a moat. But they have acres of land, both inside their Chimphouse with its enormous ceilings and bright, unbarred windows, as well as on the acres of islands dotted with treehouses, hammocks and climbing structures. Elevated above the islands and leading away from the house are iron skywalks with canvas covers and see-through windshields in inclimate weather. The chimps can walk around outside, find quiet places to nap or be with friends while still enjoying some protection from rain and wind.

However, they need to stay safe. Their caregivers need to stay safe. So, they need to be enclosed.

Above: There is always available bedding to build night nests in the windows of the Chimphoue. Below: Island structures and outside skywalks.

So, why is it that we do not want to see the metal? Do we feel less guilty seeing them without the bars? We are so privileged to give witness to their lives–an opportunity that should never have been afforded us–should we not accept the terms that we created for them as they live this life they did not choose? To me, with or without the bars, they are the same remarkable, powerful, thoughtful and emotional chimpanzees. This is who I see. This is who I photograph.

When you are looking at one my photos of the Fauna chimps, you are seeing what I choose to show you. I make an emotional and creative decision. Of course I like to see the chimpanzees without obstacles in front of their beautiful faces. I push my skills to discover better techniques for creating images that will make the bars “disappear.” The work is very difficult and long with far more failure than success. But when they choose to co-operate, I feel they have offered me a great gift and that I must not let them down.

I do this work because I want to represent them and to help tell their stories. For these chimpanzees, their lives, their stories — past and present — take place behind bars. That will not change. Be mindful that as a photographer I am creating an image–making a moment. Regardless of what I choose to show you in my photos, make no mistake; the enclosures — the bars — they are always present…but lets all remember why they are there.

For these fourteen chimpanzees, thankfully, their home is no longer a cage. But there will always be locks, electrical wire and bars. Perhaps we can all look a little harder to see past them.

All photos © NJ Wight

Thank you Gloria Grow for all that you do and for inviting me into this world. I am forever grateful.

You can support the Fauna chimps by visiting www.faunafoundation.org.

95% Chimp

The post The Chimpanzees of Fauna: Seeing Past the Bars appeared first on NJ Wight.

During his eight years in the lab, Ch-665  as he was called, was knocked down by dart some 136 times, mostly for cage changes and teeth cleanings. He was used in four studies in seven years and was generally considered to be a ‘well-adjusted individual’ – even though by the time he was three years old he was being treated for self-inflicted wounds.

Binky was one of the “lucky” ones. He was released into sanctuary at Fauna Foundation on September 12, 1997 when he was just eight years old. Binky has been able to live these past 20 years in a safe environment with other chimpanzees, where he is loved, respected, and given the freedom to make choices for himself. He has a better life now, but make no mistake, it is not a life of his choosing.

Mirror, Mirror…

One day while I was taking photographs at Fauna, I saw Binky walk along the skywalk above me heading towards the back islands with something blue in his hand. I was curious to see what he was up to and so, after waiting a minute or two, I quietly walked to the back enclosure to see if he was visible to photograph. When I found him he was sitting all by himself up on a platform and looking into a small plastic mirror attached to a plush elephant. I didn’t want to startle him so I started humming quietly while I slowly moved towards the opposite side of the enclosure. He looked up and saw me and watched me for a few seconds and then returned to his mirror.

I have seen the chimpanzees grooming themselves, and each other, many times, but this was a first for me. Binky was holding the mirror in one hand while he groomed his feet, carefully licking between his toes. When he was finished, he moved on to his face and then his teeth. He did not take his eye off his reflection and his expression was very thoughtful and focused.

I started to click away as he continued to groom, moving slowly, trying to find small openings between the caging and surrounding gardens. I wanted to position myself in such a way that I might get lucky and capture his face in the mirror or the beautiful sunlight reflecting back.

Understandably, the chimps rarely follow my art direction so I rely mostly on stamina and luck! After several minutes with my arms extended and my shoulders starting to ache a little, Binky moved the mirror to just the right spot and a bounce of sunlight lit up his very handsome face. After five years as the paparazza to the primates this photograph is certainly one of my very favourites and I was happy it was choosen for the front cover of the 2015 Fauna Annual Report.

Enrichment for Chimpanzees

Enrichment, which includes activities that promote physical activity and mental stimulation, is essential for the well-being of not just the chimpanzees living at Fauna, but for all captive chimps. In the wild there are ongoing challenges to engage their intellect and in sanctuary, the Fauna caregivers work very hard to provide enrichment in various forms. (See Enrichment with Mary Lee and Tatu for more.) Plastic mirrors are a favourite for some of the chimpanzees but they enjoy lots of differnt kinds of toys. If you would like to donate enrichment items, you can consult these Everyday Items on the Fauna website.

Binky, I am blessed to know you.  You are courageous, loving, kind and good. To look into your eyes is a gift to my soul.

Thank you.

This is post was originally published on www.faunafoundation.org.

The post Binky and the Mirror: Reflections on a Courageous Chimpanzee appeared first on NJ Wight.