Around here we all rightfully view the chimpanzees as the stars of the show. But behind the scenes there are some amazing and wonderful humans who make every day go smoothly and safely. I’m so proud of our team and all they do for the chimps. You can see by the human faces in these pictures that we love our jobs! But you can also see how we safely interact with the chimpanzees without putting them (or ourselves) at risk. The chimpanzees can reach out and groom our elbows or wrists (as you’ll see with Seana all the way at the end) and they can put their bodies up against the fencing so we can tickle or groom them, but we never cross the barrier of the fence. Their space is their space, period.
Elizabeth and Foxie:
Jackie and Jody:
Diana and Foxie:
JB and Missy:
Me (Sarah) with Burrito:
Ooops… we apparently need more pictures of our newest staff member, Debbie:
And here are just a few of our dedicated volunteer caregivers!
Deb W and Burrito:
Steph P and Jamie:
Seana B and Jamie:
Find us all on Facebook so we can get to know you too!
You all do such a great job taking care of these chimps. I wish I could volunteer! If I lived anywhere near the sanctuary I’d see what you require to be a volunteers, but alas, I’m in Utah.
Hello there so nice to meet you all ! These are lovely pictures thank you for sharing xxxx I have to smile at Seana and Jamie, my goddaughter who’s now 10 has a thing for elbows when she’s tired she likes to snuggle up and stroke your elbow ( it has to be arm out straight so its wrinkly lol ) she’s done this from been tiny 🙂
thank you that was lovely. looks as though the chimps are as happy with the humans as the humans are with the chimpsters … a real love fest.
BLESS you all!
Sarah, I feel like Marla Hooch from that movie about women’s softball. All the other players get close-ups but Marla’s is from a distance. “And how about Marla Hooch? What a hitter.”
i’ll do better next time – we need pics of you!
Debbie …. atleast you got a pix…. How quickly they forget. Just kidding. I do like the pix where the humans look like they are the ones caged.
denice – that’s what you get for abandoning us for the southland! actually, the only one i could find of you was one where you were wearing a reindeer hat and i didn’t think you’d like it. so really, i was looking out for you.
Just great photos of The Caregivers and the Chimps! You Guys are AWESOME! The Chimps are in GREAT HANDS!
lovely to have a few faces to go with the names we see on the blogs 🙂
what wonderful photos of the chimps and their caregivers! we already know the love and effort you guys put into the chimps and their care, it’s very nice to see the faces along with the chimps! your blogs are always so interesting and fun to read and the photos are always great!
Thank you for spotlighting the importance of the humans who physically and emotionally devote so much. Although none of these people do this for the recognition, their contributions are the backbone of animal facilities. This is the story that so many times goes untold. As a former caregiver, I thank-you.
Thank you for this series of photos of our favorite chimps and caregivers, Sarah. My admiration for all with your love and constant care for these wonderful chimps is heartfelt.
Is that an abacus I see in the last photo with Serena? How fast can Jamie do long division?
Sarah, these are wonderful pictures of the whole…well, almost whole family at CSNW. You can really see the love on everyone’s faces! And yes, it is very nice for the people who have not met any of you in person to have a face to go with your names!
Your dedication to these chimps is extraordinary and we all are so thank-ful for all you do for them!
I’m just curious though…what do you think would happen if one of you were to actually go into their space…I suppose it would depend on who it was, etc. etc. Do you think because they all know you so well that it would have a good outcome? I’m sure you would never want to actually find out but I really don’t think any of them would harm you as they seem to love you guys as much as you love them!
I sometimes think about the story of the little boy that accidentally fell into the gorilla enclosure and one of the females carried him over to the door so the caregivers could get him out safely.
hi chris! good questions. it’s certainly tempting to say that because we view them as our friends, they would treat us gently. and it’s possible that for whatever reason (friends or otherwise) that’s true. but we have to remember that these friends of ours are wild animals, and they have their own rules of behavior. it’d be asking them to interact with us on our (human) rules and ignoring their natural ways, and their natural strength. they’re so much stronger that they could easily hurt us unintentionally. so we’d never take that risk, and that’s why we have ways of separating and sedating them if an emergency arises.
Thank-you Sarah….but wouldn’t it be beyond wonderful to get a real, full on…gentle of course…chimp hug! Just dreamin! 🙂
It is a dream of mine to fly out to WA sometime and spend a couple of weeks out there volunteering with the sanctuary. (I retire in 2 1/2 years…) I would find it simply amazing to all these wonderful chimps and the people who make it their lives to care for them.
…amazing to MEET all these wonderful chimps… 🙂