Grab a snack, relax, and enjoy lunch with the Cle Elum Seven.
Archives for May 2016
Negra, reinvented
I’m used to telling people, Negra is more of a fair weather chimp. If there is any hint of wind or rain or if the temperature is too hot or too cold, she would most likely stay indoors. Also, if she does venture out onto Young’s Hill (the outdoor area of the chimps’ home), she usually sticks close to the building.
But, we’ve seen Negra exhibiting some “unusual behavior” this spring. She’s stayed out late, ventured to new areas on Young’s Hill (far away from the building) and is generally more independent.
So, today, the NOAA forecast called for “northwest wind around 21 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph” and it seems pretty accurate. But, the Negra of today, doesn’t seem to mind the gusty winds or not so perfect temperatures as she was the first one out on the hill for the lunch forage we set up.
I love that after almost eight years in sanctuary, she is still reinventing herself!
this is what it’s all about
After a very successful gala and the outpouring of support for Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest’s plans to expand, plus the incredibly exciting and long-awaited public announcement about the new sanctuary in Georgia, Project Chimps, I had all sorts of profound and deeply-felt sentiments to share in this blog post.
But then, this morning, I filmed Foxie and Jamie playing. I laughed out loud watching them and decided that all I really needed to share today is this, because this is what it’s all about:
Happy Birthday, Bruce!
Our second sponsor for this double day of sanctuary comes from the chimps’ long time friend, supporter and volunteer caregiver, Deb Wagman, in honor of her equally amazing husband, Bruce, for his birthday!
“Bruce is an animal lawyer; for him it is not a job but a calling. He works tirelessly protecting, saving, defending and making life better for almost every type of animal I can think of. Not only was he instrumental in starting CSNW, but continues to work for the seven as a board member and legal advisor. For the last 2 years he has been negotiating getting hundreds of chimpanzees out of private labs and into a new sanctuary in Georgia. There is nothing more special I can give him for his birthday than a day of sanctuary for his 7 favorite chimps. Happy Birthday, my love!”
Bruce, thank you so much for all that you have done for this sanctuary, as well as the work you are doing for chimpanzees across the country! We hope you have the happiest of birthdays!
Bruce’s friend Burrito:
Happy Birthday, LauRenn!
Today we are so fortunate to have two sponsors gifting the chimpanzees with a day of sanctuary! To start the day off, Joe Lilly sponsored today in celebration of his niece, LauRenn Reed, on her birthday!
Joe shared this message about today: “LauRenn is a devoted admirer of the sanctuary. She has a big heart full of love for animals and I know that she gets a lot of joy from learning about your chimps.”
Happy birthday LauRenn and thanks so much for all your love and support of the Cle Elum 7!
LauRenn’s pal Negra:
Annie:
Negra in the portrait studio:
Annie running bipedally through the wet grass:
Spring mornings
Springtime at the sanctuary is our favorite time of year – the chimps wake up extra happy and playful and then spend the morning picking wild greens and taking in the view from the top of Young’s Hill.
To Know Someone
There are many obvious differences between the chimpanzees’ current lives in sanctuary and their former lives in research labs. We often mention the blue sky, green grass, fresh air, soft blankets, and good food that are regular features of their lives at the sanctuary.
There’s another difference that I think about often: After decades as faceless lab subjects, treated as little more than the ID numbers tattooed on their chests, the Cle Elum Seven chimpanzees are finally known as distinct and unique individuals with distinct and unique personalities, quirks, and preferences. And it’s not just those of us who care for the chimps everyday who know them so well; it’s also all of you who follow the blog and have fallen in love. We’re probably biased, but we think these chimps are the best and they deserve an enormous fan club.
Here’s sweet, gentle, nervous, brave, grass-loving, foot-clapping Annie, unknown and unappreciated for so long. Thank you for loving her.
