World Chimpanzee Day
Let's hold the mirror up to ourselves
From the perspective of an Aiderbichler
(written by Gisela Pschenitschnig)
Every year, World Chimpanzee Day commemorates the fact that the history of mankind began in the forests of Africa around seven million years ago.
For 15 years, the ex-lab monkeys of Immuno have been living in the monkey houses with outdoor enclosures in the former safari park in GÃĪnserndorf. That’s a long time for the animals outside the cages, in which they almost all screamed and raged for their freedom and rattled the bars for around thirty years. When Gut Aiderbichl took over the ex-laboratory monkeys, they were animals infected with diseases and severely traumatised. The re-socialisation of these former laboratory monkeys will never be complete. They have suffered and experienced too much during the horrific, long period of research.
Under the guise of research and science, highly intelligent monkeys continue to suffer and die in animal testing laboratories. The conditions in which they are kept completely contradict their natural urge to move. Isolation in solitary confinement is contrary to their character and makes them ill. If they are allowed to live at all after the experiments, the chimpanzees are traumatised and show behavioural disorders – visit our ape sanctuary in GÃĪnserndorf and see for yourself.
The relationship between humans and apes is a well-established fact - let's take a look in the mirror and who do we see?
About 98% of the DNA of great apes is identical to that of humans. Chimpanzees can laugh, giggle, kiss, hold each other’s hands and can also cry. As with humans, an attentive eye can recognise moods from facial expressions and body language. Chimpanzees can pretend, they are empathic, they become brutal when it comes to defending their habitat. Chimpanzees use heavy stones to crack nuts, they sharpen spears with their teeth. This enables them to hunt and defend themselves. Orphaned chimpanzees are cared for and raised by unrelated chimpanzees.
If we allow our closest relatives to become extinct, humans will eventually disappear
Scientists want to learn more about the behaviour of free-living great apes and their human-like behaviour. With the help of research and the observation of great apes, much can be discovered about human behavioural development.
The most modern facility for chimpanzees can never be compared with the animals’ natural habitat. The world’s population is growing, the wilderness is shrinking, illegal poaching and deforestation are increasingly threatening the ape population.
Educate and raise awareness - We are in their debt
Apes exert a special, undeniable fascination on us humans. Most people know chimpanzees from the zoo, those that perform in the circus or are shown in television programmes.
Gut Aiderbichl is trying to give a voice to the 27 ex-lab monkeys still alive at Immuno. Renate Foidl, the director of Gut Aiderbichl in GÃĪnserndorf, helps us to get to know and understand more and more about the wonderful ways of life, fears and everything that lies within the chimpanzees.
Through my years of working at Gut Aiderbichl, I try to read the eyes of the animals, whether they are small, agile ferrets, clever foxes or horses. They all tell us moving stories from their lives. They all tell me: “You have to be able to forgive”.
The Austrian author Thomas Brezina talked to the ex-lab monkeys in his own way, and these conversations and observations have resulted in a very moving book: “So what, said the white chimpanzee”. It is a story of forgiveness.
The important forgiveness that can be seen in the eyes of all the animals at Gut Aiderbichl: in the eyes of rescued cattle, former sport horses, breeding horses, animals with disabilities, maltreated donkeys, abandoned dogs, cats, rabbits and so on. They are all full of joie de vivre again because they have forgiven humans.
An excerpt from Thomas Brezina’s book on forgiveness:
(…) “Forgive! Forgive!” – said the white chimpanzee. (…) The white chimpanzee raised his arms to the night sky, which was dotted with stars. “Repeat after me,” he urged them.
I forgive you for what you have done to us.
I forgive your cruelty and stupidity. I smile at you, even if you deserve otherwise, because I smile for myself.
You must live with what you have done. For me, the past flies away slowly, like a black butterfly that a gust of wind will eventually carry away completely.
You all, who have treated us so carelessly and coldly, are like flowers that wither.
I no longer look at you, but admire the new flowers that have blossomed for me. You are like withered herbs whose leaves are decaying.
But I smell the fresh herbs that have sprouted from the earth and smell of new life.
My anger was like a chain that bound me to you. I break this chain with the sword called FORGIVENESS. I walk on. I play on.
I take joy in all that surrounds me today.
But I will never turn back to you (…).
Let’s look at ourselves in the mirror and think again. Yours sincerely, Gisela
Chimpanzee Clyde
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Clyde is a very playful male. He prefers to play with PÞnktchen. He likes to be the "cock of the walk" and sometimes tries his hand at showing off, which he doesn't really want to do yet. Clyde defends his ladies, although he sometimes gets to feel their moods. However, he always remains good-natured and doses his affection, trying to distribute it fairly. He also shares his food and likes to show how clever he is by making and using tools. However, he suffers from chronic rheumatism. This is also a result of years of laboratory experiments. He is physically impaired as a result, but has nevertheless recovered very well. Since the outdoor enclosures were opened, he has become a fun-loving character. He likes to go outside and loves to play "chase" with people at the viewing windows. However, he doesn't really want to succeed yet. Clyde defends his ladies, although he sometimes gets to feel their moods. However, he always remains good-natured and doses his affection, trying to distribute it fairly. He also shares his food and likes to show how clever he is by making and using making and using tools. However, he suffers from chronic rheumatism. This is also a result of years of laboratory experiments. He is physically impaired as a result, but has nevertheless recovered very well. Since the outdoor enclosures were opened, he has become a fun-loving character. He likes to go outside and loves to play "chase" with people at the viewing windows.
Chimpanzee Bonnie
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Bonnie is a particular problem child due to her diabetes. She is given smaller portions of food several times a day, tailored to her needs, and now has no problems giving her insulin injections. This has been practiced patiently with her every day. Bonnie has made a great recovery thanks to this treatment. Her values are good, she has put on weight and she comes to the injection every day by herself. This illness has given her a special place in the group. Bonnie has lost her insecurity, stays out of conflicts and cultivates a deep friendship with Helene. Even Moritz, who previously did not accept her, now protects and comforts her. Grooming each other is their favorite diversion. Bonnie is always one of the first to run outside into the sunshine. She loves climbing and washing her food.
Chimpanzee Gabi
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Gabi was born in freedom in the African bush in 1979 and was not even a year old when she was captured by humans for research. She lost everything. You can read a lot in her eyes. In 1992, black and white photos were taken of her in her experimental laboratory cage (6 square meters). Today you can tell that Gabi thinks and observes a lot. She is the thinker and observer in the group. She thinks first and then acts. In research, she only accepted Renate Foidl. She was not accessible to all other people. Her movements are still somewhat awkward. It took her five long years to play and build a nest. In the meantime, she likes to be groomed by PÞnktchen and is trying to win Clyde's favor. At around 56 kilograms, Gabi is the heaviest female and loves any extra food that is offered. She stockpiles curd cheese, muesli and rice and always wants to be first at every meal.
Chimpanzee Anton
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Most of the ex-laboratory chimpanzees were stolen from the jungle as baby monkeys and had to watch their families being killed. Once they arrived in Austria, they were kept in an experimental laboratory for 30 years, without contact with other apes in a very small space. Animal experiments on apes have been banned in Austria since 1997 and since then the chimpanzees have been reclaiming their lives. The management and care of the animals was handed over to the safari park in GÃĪnserndorf, which finally went bankrupt in 2004. Since then, their fate has been uncertain. In 2009, they were taken over by Gut Aiderbichl from a bankruptcy estate and have been under our protection ever since. Anton is the "smart one" in the group. He always needs and seeks reassurance in the form of physical contact. The ladies particularly like him. He is considered a "womanizer" and, together with Helene, takes care of the children in the group. In the meantime, he has also learned to display typical male chimpanzee behavior from time to time. He tries to impress, although he still sometimes lacks skill and only tries.
Chimpanzee Benjamin
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Benjamin was the first to venture through the large concrete ring into the outdoor enclosure and likes to sit on the fence above the staff entrance. Benjamin is the only male in the group and has had to learn to adapt to the ladies and respond to each individual female chimpanzee. At first, it was not very easy for him to compete with this close-knit group of ladies. He tries to show off his macho side to the ladies by showing off. However, they are not very impressed and show Benjamin how strong they are, especially when they are outnumbered. This usually causes him to retreat quickly - SpÃĪtzle then tries to calm him down by hugging him. Benjamin also loves to play with her, while he prefers to play with Denise on the raisin board. He uses his tools with great skill and prefers to use his little finger whenever possible to find even the smallest raisins. Benjamin likes to lean on his back when eating and places the food in front of him as if on a tray.
Chimpanzee Blacky
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Blacky is one of the most traumatized chimpanzees in the male group. When stress arises in the group, he is still very scared - then he beats himself. When Blacky was one year old, he experienced the worst thing that can happen to a chimpanzee child. The loss of his mother and a murderous attack on his family. Stress, shock, pain. He still hurts today when his thoughts of the past catch up with him. He was kept in an experiment for 11 years without contact with other chimpanzees. He also has great difficulty learning chimpanzee language - all the consequences of years of isolation. In the meantime, we have noticed that he is already appeasing himself by grooming himself. Despite his weaknesses, he is accepted by the others. He is a very warm and loud laugh when playing. He is now the first one at the window to make contact when people come.
Chimpanzee David
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David was born in an experimental laboratory, but fortunately he was never used in research. His father died in the laboratory and his mother Shusha was unable to breastfeed him - possibly due to an untreated infection. Shusha was particularly caring towards David, but his nurse at the time had to bottle-feed him at home for several months. In 2000, before the chimpanzees were moved to the ape facility in GÃĪnserndorf, he took part in a resocialization programme in rooms at the experimental laboratory. Provisional connections were opened between four isolation cages. This allowed him to live together with his mother and his sister Xsara. He is known as the group's explorer and is curious and courageous. He is usually the first to take on new challenges. He is particularly adept at using tools. David always goes out of his way for the ladies. He particularly likes Bonnie and Helene. He loves to groom them and thus strengthen their relationship again and again. He also willingly shares his food with the others. David is still going through puberty. He likes to provoke from time to time, but is tolerated by Anton and Moritz, who show understanding for the adolescent. David loves to play "chase" with Moritz in the outdoor enclosure and is always one of the first when the doors to the outside are opened.
Chimpanzee Dorli
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Dorli is considered the boss of the group. She shows the others their boundaries and is patient until she decides that the group needs to calm down again. She shows Pumuckl very clearly when he has had enough of his imposing behavior. She is a very dominant chimpanzee and is considered headstrong and stubborn. During the training sessions, Dorli had to learn that "give and take" within a group is very important. She is particularly thorough when it comes to grooming. She is considered to be a very eager eater and likes all kinds of food. She regularly makes her rounds in the outdoor enclosures to make sure that everyone is doing well. Dorli has developed a strong protective instinct and takes particular care of Pumuckl when he is in the outdoor enclosure. She always accompanies Carmen outside, defending and protecting her.
Chimpanzee Pumuckl
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Most of the ex-laboratory chimpanzees were stolen from the jungle as baby monkeys and had to watch their families being killed. Once they arrived in Austria, they were kept in an experimental laboratory for 30 years, without contact with other apes in a very small space. Animal experiments on apes have been banned in Austria since 1997 and since then the chimpanzees have been reclaiming their lives. The management and care of the animals was handed over to the safari park in GÃĪnserndorf, which finally went bankrupt in 2004. Since then, their fate has been uncertain. In 2009, they were taken over by Gut Aiderbichl from a bankrupt estate and have been under our protection ever since. Pumuckl is a talented "singer". He has a wide variety of chirping sounds in his repertoire. His peculiarities also include making sounds of rapture while eating. He has a very special way of maintaining physical contact. He loves to spend minutes patting the ladies' feet or heads. We were amazed when he took his breakfast outside and ate it there on the first day the outdoor enclosure was opened. He has a soft spot for all kinds of objects and play utensils and carries them around with pride. Pumuckl makes his sleeping nests particularly beautiful and elaborate. Grooming together is very important to him. It took him a long time to overcome his fear of this closeness. Today he is one of the most affectionate male chimpanzees. Carmen, Pumuckl and Dorli have even developed their own language with each other. This was a long process of personality development and resocialization.
Chimpanzee PÞnktchen
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Most of the ex-laboratory chimpanzees were stolen from the jungle as baby monkeys and had to watch their families being killed. Once they arrived in Austria, they were kept in an experimental laboratory for 30 years, without contact with other apes in a very small space. Animal experiments on apes have been banned in Austria since 1997 and since then the chimpanzees have been reclaiming their lives. The management and care of the animals was handed over to the safari park in GÃĪnserndorf, which finally went bankrupt in 2004. Since then, their fate has been uncertain. In 2009, they were taken over by Gut Aiderbichl from a bankrupt estate and have been under our protection ever since. When the free-born chimpanzee was finally allowed to move from the experimental laboratory to the monkey house in 2002, she had been kept in isolation for 16 years. You can see this in the humble chimpanzee's face. During the construction work for the outdoor enclosures, she often sat at the window and watched. PÞnktchen is our artist. In her group's living room, we often see her spending hours working with jute cloths and wood wool. She weaves real works of art and obviously uses them to distract herself - from her sad life story, the terrible capture, the posture, the confinement in the laboratory. She is obviously successfully combating her traumatization. Because PÞnktchen has learned to laugh heartily and loves to romp around the living room with Clyde. She tries to win Gabi and Ingrid's affection and is very active in grooming. PÞnktchen makes sure that she can enjoy moments of togetherness with Clyde.
