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!
Dalyce Kowalski says
It’s wonderful to see them enjoying the new structures. Very generous of the family’s to find them. All the hard work you’ve done has really paid off. Well done!
Keri says
It sure does take a community of people to provide these new opportunities for the chimps to enjoy!
Kathleen says
I remember being touched by your past post in memory of Carlene Garza. What a lovely honor and tribute to have the covered tower named in Carlene’s honor. It appears to be such a special place, where 7 beloved chimps will stop to rest, groom, and take in an extraordinary view that they could never have imagined. From the photos it looks as if this tower sits at the top of the world. And so it must seem to the chimps! I can only imagine that Jamie feels honored too, sharing in namesake the other tower — 2 lovely ladies together at the top of the world.
Thank you CSNW, you have this amazing way of uniting your supporters and friends so closely to the chimps and their everyday lives. Everything seems to flow and connect full circle.
Keri says
You are so very right Kathleen; the chimps absolutely love their new structure! The towers offer views they’ve never had before, shade, and plenty of ladders and poles to climb.
Joseph Garza says
Thanks to the entire CSNW family and those seven magnificent creatures for hosting our visit on Sunday. It was an unforgettable afternoon that we hope to repeat at least annually to check-in on the great work being done and to catch a glimpse of the Seven. A special thanks to Diana, JB for showing us around the Sanctuary, giving us the opportunity to participate in serving lunch and letting us get up close to the new structures. A special thanks to Katelyn for being our initial contact to the Sanctuary and all here kind words and support over the weeks and months since Carlene’s passing. She is truly a special person. Our best wishes to the entire staff of CSNW. Keep up the great work.
Keri says
Thank you Joseph for such a kind reply. We wish you and your family all the best and we are so happy to have all of you as part of our sanctuary family!