From the AZA report: The health and condition of "Joe" the gorilla has vastly improved as a result of his transfer to Gorilla Haven, which is part of the mission of Gorilla Haven's facilities"
photos by Steuart and/or Jane Dewar,
except as indicated.
Note: almost all photographs are
thumbnails that you can click to bring up a larger version!
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From the AZA report: The health and condition of "Joe" the gorilla has vastly improved as a result of his transfer to Gorilla Haven, which is part of the mission of Gorilla Haven's facilities" |
| Fall is once again imminent, as the first signs of the leaves changing colors become more noticeable. It’s hard to totally enjoy the glorious weather, after the unspeakable devastation of Hurricane Katrina and all the horror and death it brought to countless people, animals and property in the southern Gulf states of the USA. We got some wind and rain, but as Katrina passed by Gorilla Haven, it wasn’t any worse than any normal thunderstorm. The day before Katrina hit, I was on the phone with another primate person, who was in touch with the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans, discussing evacuation options for the zoo animals, including their 4 gorillas, if necessary. Thankfully the zoo survived and while they have a long road ahead of them, it wasn’t as awful as it might have been. We’ve sent some donations to help the animals and people of the affected area and encourage others to do the same, since every little bit helps. Now the world watches and waits as yet another hurricane, Rita, threatens the same areas, including parts of Texas, where many survivors sought refuge. Our thoughts and protective prayers go out to everyone, as Mother Nature reminds us all that *she*, not us mere mortals, is in charge. |
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Steuart
just returned from Chicago, where the American Zoo & Aquarium Association (AZA)
was holding their annual meeting. In July we had been inspected for AZA
certification for a non-public animal holding facility, and the inspections,
like all the others, went very well. There were a few minor concerns (all easily
fixed, most of which were already on our ‘to-do’ list) and the only major
concern was the fact that Pete and Kelly don’t fully “suit up” while cleaning
Joe’s cages daily. This is a relatively new phenomena, based on potential diseases humans can catch
from gorillas (we were given high marks in protecting Joe from human diseases),
which are very rare, but still a concern. When more gorillas reside at GH, it
will be a bigger concern, but Joe has been so remarkably healthy, and Pete and
Kelly are so experienced in recognizing problems, we didn’t consider it a big
deal. Wearing face masks, gloves, and even full body-suits (hence the term
“full suit up” as in photo right) and special boots while cleaning animal areas would be done when
animals are in quarantine or ill, but not routinely, unless an individual
gorilla's health were in question. Some
zoos insist caregivers wear full protective gear for routine daily cleaning.
While we have the items to be able to do this too, we don’t think it’s necessary
with just Joe, and will change our procedures as warranted in the future.
Meanwhile, we already have routine health safety measures in place, and all our
staff, including maintenance, know when moving the compost pile or after working
in the habitat, that washing down machinery and good hygiene is imperative.
Still, considering all the things they look at for the AZA inspections, we
thought that was a pretty good sign, if that was the only ‘major concern’ they
had about our facility, and otherwise praised us for design, safety, etc.
Having AZA accreditation or certification as a related facility is like having a Better Business Bureau sign of approval. It’s a requirement for all places housing gorillas who are part of the SSP, but it’s also one more way to tell the world that GH is more than just a place where gorillas run around in our back yard, but a professional institution with the highest standards. We won't do any press releases, since our website is our way of letting our neighbors and the world know what we're doing, but part of an AZA suggested press release explains a bit more, just what this new status means:
"'We are very pleased to certify Gorilla Haven as a Related Facility,' stated Kristen L. Vehrs, Interim Executive Director of AZA. 'Zoos, aquariums and related organizations holding wildlife in North America are continually evolving and reaffirming their commitment to animal care, professionalism, ethics, conservation and education. In turn they are enriching the lives of their community. Gorilla Haven is no exception.' ... AZA was founded in 1924 and currently represents 211 accredited zoos and aquariums and 16 certified related facilities ... AZA's mission is to support excellence in animal care, conservation, education, science and recreation." For more information on AZA, check www.aza.org.
Inspiring Guests:
We
recently had some college students from the University of Tennessee at
Chattanooga visit, as a favor to their professor, Dr. Lyn Miles, who I’ve known
for years. Lyn teaches the orangutan Chantek, (now at Zoo Atlanta), sign
language (learn more at www.chantek.org).
The students came on a Saturday as extra credit in their anthropology class, and
Steuart and I took them on a tour of the GH facilities, including a visit to
Joe. The students apparently were impressed with everything they saw and agreed
with what other visitors say – that is, the website gives you an idea, but being
here is a special and unique experience that nothing can prepare you for. Since
the students weren’t gorilla fans, per se, we just showed them around and gave
them the take home message that if you have a dream and set your mind to it,
anything is possible. At an age when most kids are thinking about making their
millions to live a comfortable and glamorous life, they were a little surprised
that we’d given up our Porsche, BMW and Lotus Turbo Esprit sports cars, in favor
of a Jeep, and instead use 90% of our money to build GH and support in situ
wildlife conservation. Dr. Miles had them write a report about their experiences
at GH and their sentiments were all similar to the following, which left Steuart
and I with a very good feeling and some hope for the future:
“…as you can see, (the students) did indeed find their visit ‘life transforming.”
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“Gorilla Haven was an amazing place … I looked on Gorilla Haven’s website
…(but) I was (not) prepared for what I experienced. It is one thing to see a
picture on a website of a gorilla and an entirely different thing to be
sitting a few feet away from one… I never realized how intelligent gorillas
were. What struck (me) ..was the look on Joe’s face as he was listening to
us. I could see in his eyes that he was really processing what we were
saying and he seemed to enjoy what we said …I came away…with a new found
respect for gorillas …They were not put on this earth for us. They are
intelligent individuals … it should not be what we get from these animals,
but what we can do for them … We were the ones that took them out of the
environments and put them on display. We owe it to them to give them the
best life possible.” “The best part of the trip was getting to see Joe … I was amazed at his size and his gentle nature.” |
“…I had no idea that I would get a life lesson from this trip. As amazing as
Joe was (and he is someone I will remember for the rest of my life), what
really struck me is the passion of the Dewars! … To actually see someone
living their dream was very inspirational to me …I hope that I have the
courage to find my dream and do whatever it takes to make it a reality like
the Dewars. Mr. Dewar said, ‘making money is good, but it doesn’t quench
the soul.’ Amen.” “The moment you arrive at the Haven you get a sense that something different is going on there … The cabin that the Dewars live in is like a Gorilla art gallery. There are dogs and cats and other animals wondering around inside and out. …And then there was Joe. The most powerful and gentle creature I have encountered.” |
“A wonderful and uplifting experience is how I choose to describe Gorilla
Haven …Another delightful surprise, is that I learned there are actual
millionaires on this planet that really do use their millions for a
good purpose. There may still be hope for this world yet …” “Joe was amazing …he even seemed to be watching us as much as we were watching him. By the time we were ready to leave we had to say ‘goodbye’ to Joe. This event I know I will never forget. As we sat there talking to him and telling (him) thank you for today, he let out (a) low purr. It was the most amazing thing I have ever heard. I knew then for at least that day, we all had become friends with Joe. I doubt he (will) remember us, but I think I can (say) for all (of) us that were there, we will remember him.” |
I’m constantly asked about my life
and how I ended up running Gorilla Haven, or why I worked in Amsterdam or lived
in Germany or graduated from high school in Switzerland, or hung out in Africa
as a 17 year old kid, or met my soulmate,
Steuart. My answer is always the same: “Wait and read my book…” That book has
been in the offing for several years now, but I’m always putting it off for one
reason or another, until recently. Over the years, I’ve written about 100
pages, and am now trying to figure out how to write the book of my life and all
the people in it, without ticking off all the “famous” folk or situations
involving primates that I know by writing what I really think/know about them –
not what they want the world to think… The other day I told Steuart I think I
have to wait for all these people to die first – or I’ll have to be dead before
the book is published, to avoid the outrage some of my experiences will evoke.
People don’t like the truth. They don’t like to be told they are petty and
jealous, especially when they are petty and jealous. But in the words of one of
my idols, Sandra Boynton, “everyone’s entitled to my opinion” and so the book
will be written … I just have to decide if it’s going to be fiction or not.
Maybe a combination thereof, to really drive my detractors crazy, as they try to
figure out if it’s them I’m talking about when I say they’re bi-polar,
ego-centric whack jobs …
