Caramia-Xarms
CARAMIA was born at Yerkes Regional Primate Research Center and raised by her mother until she suffered an eye injury at 2 months. Despite excellent care at both the Yerkes Center and later at the Oakland Zoo her eye had to be removed because of complications. She has adapted well to the loss of her eye and climbs the ropes, fire hoses and cargo nets with no problems.

Since she has such a lovely face I have chosen as an artist to paint her with two eyes. That's the way I see her. You have to admit she has a sweet face. Apparently because she was hand-raised due to her eye injury she is very people friendly and interested in visitors to the zoo. Also, I bring pictures of my paintings and other chimpanzees to show her and she seems to enjoy looking at them.

Her face has darkened and matured since I did this painting but she is still lovely to look at.

Species: Pan troglodytes
Painting is 24"x 30".
Completed in 2001.
All Images and Text Copyrighted 2001-05 Robert Cooper