Archives for March 2014

Today is for all the primates of CSNW!

March 11, 2014 by Katelyn

Today was sponsored by Patty Wilkerson, in honor of the chimpanzees and the staff of Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest! Patty wants the chimpanzees to have a party but she threw in the condition that the humans must have a party right alongside them! So we are all going to enjoy simultaneous lunch forages today!

Patty is a wonderful, long-time volunteer and friend of ours who comes all the way up from California to help out in the chimp house. As if that weren’t enough, she is always thinking of all of us here and how she can make our lives better. I think I speak for all of us when I say we (the humans) always want everything to be for the chimpanzees. But we are all so touched by your kind gift and thoughts, Patty, thank you so much!! All the primates here at CSNW are so lucky to have you!

Patty’s Pal, Negra, knows how to enjoy herself:

Here Comes the Sun

March 10, 2014 by Elizabeth

We had a cold, snowy, gray February here in Cle Elum – not the kind of weather these chimpanzees appreciate. So we’re all thrilled that spring is imminent. The skies are blue again, the sun is out, and the temperatures are mild.

The weather was so beautiful as I was driving to the sanctuary this morning that I decided we’d try to set up a breakfast forage on Young’s Hill for the chimps. But soon a cool wind picked up, so we opted for the sunny and warm greenhouse instead. The chimps thought this was a great idea.

Burrito:

Annie:

Missy:

Foxie:

Negra:

Jody:

Satisfaction

March 9, 2014 by Lisa

There is a look I am privileged to see on the faces of the chimpanzees living in sanctuary here and it is a look that gives me chills every time I see it. It is the look of satisfaction, which, to me, is even better than joy. Merriam Webster defines the word as follows:

sat·is·fac·tion \?sa-t?s-?fak-sh?n\

: a happy or pleased feeling because of something that you did or something that happened to you

: the act of providing what is needed or desired; the act of satisfying a need or desire

: a result that deals with a problem or complaint in an acceptable way

I can’t think of a more fitting description of the act of sanctuary. Knowing that we have provided the satisfaction of freedom of choice whether large or small is an incomparable gift. It can be an elusive look to try to capture on film though. Can you see it?

Jamie:

Negra:

Burrito:

Missy:

Foxie:

Jody:

Annie:

Making Sanctuary Possible

March 8, 2014 by Diana

Here is a great photo of Jody that J.B. took:

This is the Jody who spent decades in research laboratories and was used as a breeding machine, having at least eleven pregnancies beginning when she was eight years old. This is the Jody who lived in cramped quarters in a dirty basement in Pennsylvania, waiting for her sanctuary home along with Annie, Burrito, Foxie, Jamie, Missy, and Negra.

Jody had an adventurous day yesterday in the spring air and spent a lot of time today nesting and grooming her friends.

Sanctuary is so important. For Jody it might mean being able to climb once in a while and having piles of blankets to move from one area to another. Getting to know the chimpanzees and catering to their individual personalities is what Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest is all about.

But in order to do that truly effectively, there’s all this other work that has to happen. The Share the Chimp Love video that we made last month shows what it takes to directly care for the chimpanzees, but it didn’t show the hours answering emails, preparing for fundraising events, construction projects, budgeting, ensuring our non-profit status and various business licenses are in order, or strategic planning for the future.

Just like the direct care of the chimpanzees, this other work is essential to their well being, and we are extremely lucky to have so many people who volunteer their time, ideas, supplies, and support in order to keep the behind-the-scenes operations running smoothly.

Recently we had two volunteers who have added a tremendous value to our operations – both of them named Sharon! Sharon Burke has helped us immensely by serving on our Finance Committee and advising us on financial tracking, reporting, and procedures. Sharon Clinton, just a week after retiring, took several days and magically transformed our filing system. I am not exaggerating when I say that our files are now a thing of beauty to behold.

Just like the generator, made possible by the NAVS Sanctuary Fund and Karen and Don Young, I never imagined myself getting excited about a filing system or financial coding, but I really am now enthusiastic about these things. I understand that they are incredibly valuable to the chimpanzees and their future. And I’m so grateful for the Sharons of the world who not only contribute to the chimps’ lives financially, but also volunteer their invaluable skills to make Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest a better organization.

Jody is counting on us to take care of her in every aspect for the rest of her life, and I know that her large community of supporters means that she in very good hands.

Spring

March 7, 2014 by J.B.

Snow season has given way to mud season around here, but at least the chimps are able to have breakfast on the hill again. Can’t wait for green grass and bamboo shoots!

Negra: