Today is Tatu's birthday and an exciting day for her indeed, filled with the many treats she loves, pants and hugs from her dear mates, Dar and Loulis. As I pondered Tatu's birthday this morning on my commute, I thought about her mother, Thelma. Tatu's birthday, like most mammal's birthdays, really involved two people, Tatu and her mother. Usually mothers are overjoyed at the appearance of their wrinkled baby. I wonder how Tatu's mother, Thelma, felt. On December 30, 1975 Thelma lost her baby. Tatu arrived in the Gardner's cross-fostering laboratory on January 2, 1976, just 3 days old. Meanwhile Thelma had a total of 8 babies; she was used as a breeder by the biomedical community. She went from the Institute for Primate Studies in Oklahoma, to the Laboratory for Experimental and Surgical in Primates (LEMSIP), to Coulston Foundation and now thankfully she is in sanctuary at Save the Chimps in Ft. Pierce, FL. So Tatu's birthday gave me pause today to think of the sadness that her mother endured on the day she lost yet another baby. I follow this with applause to the many people who continue to work to end this cycle of exploitation. Thanks to you all.
Here are some pictures from the party today!
Tatu enjoying some of the treats from the party!
Dar stuffed his mouth with three clementines before heading up to the cargo net.
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