Back in February, the sanctuary received an enormous amount of love as part of our Share the Chimp Love fundraising campaign. The original goal of $12,000 was surpassed and the extra money was used to help build a new climbing structure for the chimpanzees on Young’s Hill. Construction began at the end of May and was completed a few days later, thanks to the hard work of the sanctuary’s founder Keith LaChappelle, JB and long time friends of the chimps Nick, Josh, John, Bill and Marc. The structure is located at the top of Young’s Hill and is the highest of any of the structures on Young’s Hill; consisting of two separate towers with a swinging bridge that connects them.
As part of February’s fundraising campaign, two generous families won the naming rights of each of the towers. The Garza family named the tower with the roof “Carlene’s Tower” in honor of Carlene Garza. And the other tower, which does not have a roof, was named “Jamie’s Lookout” by Joan and Pat Borders.
Today the Garza family visited the sanctuary to meet the chimpanzees that Carlene had grown to love and to see the new structure with their own eyes. Because it was such a beautiful day, we ended up spreading the chimps’ lunch all over Young’s Hill for them to forage. On the menu was bell peppers, onions, broccoli, tomatoes, red cabbage and primate chow. All of the chimps went out at various times throughout the afternoon to gather food and some of them enjoyed their food from the new towers.
Here is a photo of Carlene’s Tower.
Missy enjoyed some of the food she found while foraging on Young’s Hill under the shade of the roof of Carlene’s Tower.
Burrito also spent some time on Carlene’s Tower…
…and below the tower. (Annie is in the background, also foraging for food).
Jamie gathered some of the onions and peppers that were spread out around the hill as part of the lunch forage…
…and made her way to Carlene’s tower to take in the views, while Annie stayed below Jamie’s Lookout.
Annie (sitting on right) and Foxie (climbing the ladder) also spent some time in the shade below Jamie’s Lookout.
Then, Foxie climbed the ladder for a higher view.
To the Garza family, everyone here at CSNW thanks you for your generous support and continued love of this very special family. I have a feeling that Carlene has a huge smile on her face, knowing she and all of you are helping her dear friends here. Her love will continue to live on in the lives of everyone here. Thank you!