Chimpanzee sees sunlight for the first time in 29 years — the bald patch on her arm tells a painful story
Imagine being confined to a small, dark room where every minute feels like a lifetime — nowhere to run, no hand to hold, no sun to jumpstart your brain. While just the mere thought makes you nervous, this is exactly how countless animals in captivity spend their entire lives. Trapped in zoo enclosures, cages, or labs, these creatures are deprived of the natural environment and freedom that they are meant to explore. The harsh reality of captivity is that it's prevalent everywhere, and unfortunately, it's something millions of animals are forced into without a chance to ever see the sunlight again. This profound truth was brought into the spotlight when Vanilla, a chimp who had spent over two decades caged in enclosures, finally saw the open sky. The incredible video of the chimpanzee relishing her newfound freedom was shared on Save the Chimps' official YouTube channel.
Vanilla, the adorable chimp, was in a biomedical research laboratory until she was shifted to New York's Laboratory for Experimental Medicine and Surgery. After two years, Vanilla was shifted once again to a different location, but the conditions were as cruel as before. However, after spending nearly 30 years in captivity, the chimpanzee finally experienced the sunlight for the first time in 2020. In the now-viral video, Vanilla, who looked a bit anxious about stepping out, later seemed thrilled looking at the open sky without any restrictions. Initially, Vanilla was captured sitting at the window, evidently scared, glancing at the outside world; however, Dwight — the alpha male chimpanzee — encouraged her to take the first step by giving her a tight, warm hug.
When Vanilla finally stepped into the open field, her eyes melted as she looked up and saw the bright sky shining over her head. After a traumatic past, Vanilla and her sister Shake found their happily-ever-after, enjoying their life on a 3-acre island. "Vanilla and Shake have been fully integrated into a large family group and were released onto their island home! Shake went right out, but Vanilla was hesitant. Nothing an encouraging hug from the alpha, Dwight, couldn’t fix," the officials of Save the Chimps shared.
Meanwhile, @cozyandahalle commented, "The personalities and reactions are so human. The welcoming embrace from a friend reassures her that it is safe. They 'wow' at the sky. The old guy nudging her on the arm wanted to be the first to tell her about the killer buffet. The whispered gossip and grooming under the trees. It shows how far back in our genes these things go." Similarly, @alirezaghadiri369 wrote, "I am honored to volunteer as a veterinary radiologist to give teleradiology for this genuine person or any form of wild animal and shelter."
@jaxf7888 said, "Assuming the missing hair on the arm, she probably ripped it out herself while under the cruel conditions she was under previously. Glad to see she gets to enjoy the sunshine." On the other hand, @jvinson4181 confessed, "They terrify me, but I discovered this channel, and it really is incredible how much like humans they are. Such a very different, strange animal than what I usually learn about." @c00lhandluke81 confessed, "This breaks my f****** heart. Never seeing the sky or never walking on grass, 29 years?? Poor baby. So happy she’s getting treated properly." @alirezaghadiri369, who was moved by the emotional video, noted, "I am honored to volunteer as a veterinary radiologist to give teleradiology for this genuine person or any form of wild animal and shelter."