Darla
Reflections on the Fauna Foundation Summer Intern program.
By Sydney Duchaine-Brunet
Before arriving at Fauna, I spent nearly two years working in biomedical research with laboratory animals. That experience introduced me to the world of primates and ultimately inspired me to pursue studies in anthropology, with the hope of continuing to a Master’s in primatology. But the environment was very different. Observation in the lab followed strict protocols. The focus was clinical, precise. Animals were treated with professionalism and respect, but in the end, they were there for human-driven research.
At Fauna, the act of observing has taken on a completely different meaning. Here, it’s not about gathering data or monitoring outcomes. It’s about presence: being attentive not just with your eyes, but with your whole body. The chimpanzees know that we’re not here to test or use them anymore, but to care for them. And that changes everything.
I’ve come to realize that while the skill of reading body language is essential in both settings, the intent behind it matters. In the lab, recognizing signs of distress helped prevent complications or refine treatment plans associated with testing. At Fauna, noticing distress is an invitation to support, to step in gently, or simply to give space.
What’s most remarkable is how clearly each chimpanzee’s personality comes through. Their spaces reflect who they are: Binky loves the colour pink and knocking over big objects, Sue Ellen enjoys manipulating small, intricate objects, Tatu treasures her colourful parachute, and Loulis insists on making his bed messy. These details, while seemingly small, speak volumes.
Forming connections with the chimps at Fauna has reinforced everything I love about primates; their individuality, emotional depth, and capacity for connection. This experience hasn’t just confirmed my path in primatology, it has shifted how I understand what it means to observe, to care, and to learn.
______________
Photo is of Darla who lived at Fauna Foundation from 2005 to 2022. She came to Fauna from Queens University where she was used in biomedical research.
