Tomorrow we are celebrating Negra’s honorary birthday and the Cle Elum Seven’s anniversary of their arrival to Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest.

Negra is about 36 years old. She was captured in Africa as an infant and brought to the U.S. to be used in biomedical research. She had four babies during her decades in research.  She had over sixty liver biopsies while being used as a test subject for hepatitis vaccines. She has spent the vast majority of her life in small cages in various laboratories. She lived without access to the outside. Without windows. Without the chance to feel the sun on her face.

I think this photo, taken a couple of weeks ago, illustrates what sanctuary means to Negra:

You can support Negra today and wish her a happy birthday by giving a donation on her fundraising page. CSNW couldn’t exist without the support of so many. You provide the chimpanzees with a new life.