Veterinarian Dr. Sheri Speede was in Portland recently trying to raise awareness about the plight of orphaned chimpanzees.
The founder of the Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Center in Cameroon has received a lot of attention lately because of a photograph of grief stricken chimpanzees that was taken at the center.

The photograph shows Speede cradling the head of Dorothy, a beloved chimpanzee who died of heart failure, while the other chimps watch. The photo clearly shows grief stricken chimpanzees. Speede says that the way the chimpanzees reacted was not surprising. She says chimpanzees show emotion all of the time. In her opinion, the photo resonates because people see chimpanzees expressing a human emotion.

Sanaga-Yong is home to sixty-six orphaned chimpanzees that range in age from two to over 40 years old.
Speede gave a slide show presentation December 16th at Laughing Planet Cafe’s Chimpanzee Benefit in South East Portland.

Laughing Planet Cafe is raising funds for the Sanaga Yong center through the end of December. To find out how you can help go to www.laughingplanetcafe.com or visit your local Laughing Planet.