Feature chimp: Yoko

by Gloria Grow
Spring 2004 newsletter

Yoko
Born: 1974
7 years in entertainment
16 years in research

When I met Yoko he was living in a 5 'x 5 'x 7 'cage, suspended from the ceiling, in a long narrow building with no natural light and seven other cages, each with a single chimpanzee inside. The cages were positioned at least three feet away from each other, so they were able to see, but not touch each other. I met Yoko in February of 1997, at the Laboratory for Experimental Research and Surgery in Primates (LEMSIP). Yoko had a tire hanging from chains in the center of his cage. He was lying on this tire, staring at the chain that held it up. He did this endlessly and he pulled the hairs out of his arms compulsively making this very distinctive lip smacking noise. Yoko had this way of ignoring any one who came near that made you feel so uncomfortable. He made you feel as though you had no business being there, staring at him. Yet he looked as though he wanted to interact but was simply refusing, not giving or showing any emotion at all, holding onto his dignity and pride. It was heartbreaking to see the look of resignation he had in his eyes.

We were told that Yoko had started his life as a circus performer in Missouri. He, like so many others in entertainment, outgrew his cuteness and ended up in one of the only places that could use an active young male chimpanzee: a biomedical research facility. This was a very common way of disposing of unwanted actors or chimpanzee models used in cards, calendars or of course as circus entertainers.

There are places, like the Primate Foundation of Arizona, that actually have chimpanzee children that are bred, raised and prepared exclusively for the purpose being sent to research facilities.

Purchased from the circus, Yoko arrived at LEMSIP in 1981 when he was only seven years old. Also known as Ch-353, he perfectly fit the bill of a "hard-core " research chimp. From 1984 to 1991, Yoko had at least one punch liver biopsy per month and in total has had well over 140 liver biopsies. There are no indications as to what these biopsies were for, no references to any studies. In a study to test a nasal spray, he was knocked down every two days over a period of two months. Every day in this study, he endured a fever. But since it might have interfered with the results, he was never even given an aspirin. In 1995, he was infected with HIV. He endured another three lymph node biopsies but no longer participated in any studies. He became another HIV chimp with nothing to do and nowhere to go.

It was a huge challenge for the staff at LEMSIP to introduce Yoko to other chimpanzees. Before the chimps moved into Fauna, the staff felt it would be better if the introductions happened at the lab. Yoko wasn't cooperative, he fought back and he was quick and very angry. For months we were told Yoko just wouldn't be able to come to Fauna, because it was impossible to introduce him to the others. So Yoko was moved out of the unit. I didn't even see him on many of my visits but I didn't want to give up on him — nor did Dr. Mahoney. We could never imagine him not having this second chance for a better life.

Yoko was one of the last to arrive at Fauna. Seven chimpanzees arrived in September 1997, five in October and finally Yoko, in November, along with Tom and Jeannie.

His first months here were difficult, but he absolutely enjoyed the opportunity to have blankets, sheets, newspaper and anything else to make a bed with at night. Yoko's beds, or nests as they are called, can often have nearly 18 sheets in them along with all sorts of food tucked neatly underneath the layer of sheets. We'd find full juice boxes, unopened applesauce, apples, bananas and other goodies, stashed away, in his nest.

Yoko, to this day, stashes food under his blankets, and still makes the most elaborate and comfortable looking nests; a luxury he certainly never had hanging in a steel cage, on a rubber tire with absolutely nothing to do or anything to make a bed with. Yoko is a reckless young fellow who doesn't seem to think much about the situations he throws himself into. He has been known to be quite imprudent, daring and defying all around him to take the Yoko challenge.

Often Yoko seems to actually be planning his next attack or should I say "adventure". He has a swagger that commands attention and a character that needs attention, good or bad. Yoko has many nicknames, and he knows them all: Yokie Pokie, Little Man, Pokie Man, The Pokester, all spoken lovingly.

The interesting thing about Yoko is that he is a pretty stressed out fellow. He is very high strung and "antsy". He rarely remains still, even when lying down. Yoko has his feet in the air, clapping them together constantly and always moving some part of his body. He is quite a character, not a very large fellow and he just sort of bounces around the place. While all the others have gained weight and grown, Yoko has only become more fit, firm and incredibly agile. He literally hops over chimpanzees in his path. He is amazing to observe. But this past December, when he lost the use of his legs, it was so hard to imagine this little man forced to lay still. It clearly was a difficult time for him and it affected his personality a great deal.

We've all seen so many changes in Yoko in the six and a half years he's lived here with us and without a doubt they are mostly improvements in his life. A time I will never forget — and it explained to all of us with out words — who Yoko really is. Some one who has been so betrayed and wants desperately to be friendly but cannot let himself be tricked or taken advantage of again.

We had a visit from Nancy Megna, someone who had worked at LEMSIP for years. Nancy worked mainly in the nursery, with the youngsters and infants, but knew all the chimpanzees who lived in the units. Nancy was visiting and we were anxious for everyone to see her again, especially the younger who thought of her a mother. Nancy didn't feel the older residents would even remember her.

She remembered Yoko and said that each night she worked, she would try to say hello to all the chimps as she did her job. She particularly remembered that Yoko would never look at her, no matter how hard she tried to get his attention and trust. After nearly one year, Nancy said, he offered her his foot in a slight gesture of friendship or trust yet still didn't look her in the eye. To her, that was a huge gesture of trust.

Well, years later, after Yoko had lived here for about three years and hadn't seen Nancy since, a truly amazing thing happened. As Nancy went around to all of her friends and greeted everyone, there was so much happiness and sadness at the same time. Nancy was crying, not believing that Jethro, Regis, Binky, Petra, Chance and Rachel, who she knew so well, would even remember her or be so happy to see her. She also felt overwhelmed by their love and forgiveness.

So when I saw Yoko come running out side towards Nancy, I was initially a little worried, because he had such a bad reputation and it was possible he could grab her — but there was a happiness in his romp, a look of excitement and recognition — he ran up to Nancy and turned his back to her in a complete gesture of friendship, trust and love. We were completely shocked! Nancy reached in and touched him so gently, cried and apologized for all that had happened to him. He didn't want her to go, it was such an amazing and powerful moment, we then realised how much Nancy had meant to him.

Clearly, for all those years in the lab that Yoko ignored Nancy, he still must have felt she was someone who cared; he simply couldn't allow himself to show it. It proved to all of us how important one person could be to another. You don't always know or even get to see how important you are in someone's life. The people who care are the people who make the difference.

Yoko was now in a place where he could show Nancy he really did like her and there was no doubt he remembered her kindness and compassion towards him.

We have also seen a change in Yoko since his illness. He seemed to understand that we were trying to help him and he has changed towards us in such a positive way. We can never stop trying to reach in. There is so much that has happened to each and every victim of research. They suffer in silence daily with memories, flashbacks and pain. Clearly, for some, it will take many years of recovery.

Nancy Megna is a founding member of the Laboratory Primate Advocacy Group (LPAG). She speaks out publicly about the crimes committed against individuals like Yoko. I am proud to be on the advisory board of this very special group.