Archives for February 2015

Bill’s birthday celebration continues!

February 5, 2015 by Katelyn

As you may have seen on the blog yesterday, a day of sanctuary was sponsored by Nicki Walters in honor of her husband, Bill, on his birthday. Well, their friend, Kenneth Epstein, was so inspired by this that he chose to sponsor another day of sanctuary for the chimpanzees today in honor of Bill! Kenneth shared this great message: “I believe everyone should get to celebrate their birthday for more than one day so I’m adding to Nicki’s awesome idea.”

Kenneth, we love this idea! Thank you so much for continuing the celebration of Bill’s life by making a difference in the chimpanzees’ lives! Bill, we hope you find something to celebrate in each day and may all the good that you and Nicki do for so many of our animal friends come back to you both tenfold! Thank you for sharing your love of the chimpanzees with others.

Thanks to so many amazing supporters like yourselves, Jamie and her family are seasoned party-goers! We are so grateful that the chimpanzees are able to find joy, comfort, and love in their days because of you.

Fake Neggie strikes again

February 4, 2015 by Katelyn

It felt like spring had arrived early here at the sanctuary yesterday and most of the chimpanzees spent much of the day roaming Young’s Hill. Today, however, we definitely awoke to winter with light snow and much colder temperatures. When I arrived at the chimp house this morning no one was even awake yet, not even Boss Jamie, and this is pretty unusual.

Missy spent most of the morning testing out other people’s nests, (well, Negra’s nests), something she commonly does. I can’t tell you how many times I greeted Negra in her usual spots this morning only to find it wasn’t the real Neggie, but Fake Neggie. But it seems appropriate that the Queen might have some pretty wonderful nests so I don’t blame Missy a bit.

Happy Birthday, Bill!

February 4, 2015 by Katelyn

Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Nicki Walters in honor of her husband, Bill, on his birthday! Bill and Nicki are the owners of Pooper Trooper and their mission is to give back by supporting local animal welfare groups. They have been long-time supporters of the chimpanzees and wanted to share this special day with them.

Bill, we understand you are a huge Seahawks fan! And while we recognize this may be a bit of a sensitive subject right now, maybe you will find this photo of Burrito playing a little relatable…

and nevertheless, a party is a party! At least if you are Burrito:

Bill and Nicki, thanks so much for all you do for our animal friends and for celebrating your own special day by making the chimpanzees’ day better. Bill, many pant hoots to you from all of the primates here at CSNW! Happy Birthday! We hope you have the best one yet!

The favorite spot

February 3, 2015 by Debbie

As I was walking around Young’s Hill with Jamie the other day, I was thinking about how she’s created a trail for herself (JB does mow the grass down during the summer, but there’s still a beaten path where Jamie walks several times a day) and it reminded me of when I visited the Louvre in Paris many years ago. One of the stairwells had worn down on one spot on each step because so many people walked that path every day. The favorite spot. I’m not really sure why I was thinking about that, but maybe because it’s just another way chimpanzees and humans are alike—we find a path we like taking, and stick with it.

The favorite spot phenomenon doesn’t just apply to pathways, but also places to rest or eat. Jamie has a few favorite spots, depending on the activity at hand. For her morning snack in the front rooms she likes to sit on her barrel in room 2, and she almost never strays from that spot for that activity. Foxie and Burrito both like to sit up on the lazy susans, and Negra will sit on a blanket just below.

Missy, Jody, and Annie all sort of move around during meals, but they do have favorite spots for resting. Annie and Missy like the catwalk by the bridge—it’s a popular spot for grooming. Negra has two favorite spots—her summer spot in front of one of the catwalk windows, and her winter spot in the middle of the loft. Jamie likes to rest in the corner of room 3 against the fencing, or near the playroom door. And Jody likes the bench in room 4—as we’ve dubbed it, “the portrait studio” because it has really great lighting. We have lots of photos of Jody lying down in this spot, both snacking on browse like cattails or bamboo, and taking a quick nap in a blanket nest.

Whatever it is that motivates us to find our favorite spots—they represent comfort and safety, which is something that is so valuable for ex-biomedical chimpanzees. This is their second chance at life, and what better way to spend their day than in the comfort of their own home.

Watch the video below to see more ways the chimpanzees find comfort in their sanctuary home, and please Share the Chimp Love!

Burrito’s Search for Snow: A Story in Pictures

February 2, 2015 by Elizabeth

Go Hawks!

February 1, 2015 by Keri

We’re always looking for a reason to celebrate and throw a party here at the sanctuary. What better reason for a party than to join fans in cheering on the Seattle Seahawks for Super Bowl XLIX today?

So, how exactly do we throw a Super Bowl Party for chimpanzees you may ask? Well, nothing says a party like green and blue streamers, blankets and toys. Throw in some Seahawks cups, plates, napkins, a football, 12th man socks, t-shirt and arm sleeves. And finally, to top it off (and quite possibly the best part if you ask Burrito) we set up a lunch forage in the Playroom, consisting mostly of green colored foods (lettuce, green peppers, cucumbers and potatoes) and blue drinks (watered down gatorade).

Here are photos from the set up: