Every morning before we give the chimpanzees access to Young’s Hill we do a perimeter check, walking the fence line to ensure everything is secure. I did this from inside Young’s Hill today as I was picking up around the chimps’ outdoor habitat. Every time I am out there I am in awe of the views so I can only imagine what it means to the chimps.
This is the chimps’ view as they enter Young’s Hill from the greenhouse. Imagine going from a view of the wall in a windowless basement from behind bars to having your door opened to this each day:
These are the chimps’ views from atop Carlene’s Tower of the wooded hillside across from the sanctuary and where Missy and Annie often like to enjoy their morning chow or wild greens:
And in the opposite direction toward the mountains and river below (and also Jamie’s current favorite when she sits atop the crow’s nest):
The beautiful valley below from the chimps’ log bridge atop the wild mustard and lettuce mounds (the spot Negra has been hiking to almost daily this summer!):
Negra:
Jamie’s pathway when she walks the perimeter every day with her caregivers following along on the other side of the fence:
Jamie:
The bamboo tunnel in the middle of the hill:
As the chimps had breakfast, lunch and dinner today there were so many fresh, healthy, yummy foods for them to choose from that I noticed the majority of them were quick to let us know exactly what they wanted to be served first, what they wanted to pass on and even what color of a certain food they preferred. To see the chimps not only have choices, but see them recognize and KNOW that they have choices and make those choices from a sense of abundance is an incredible thing.
This freedom, abundance and love that fills each of the chimpanzees lives is because of the many forms of support you provide them. Every day is one of celebration and we couldn’t be more grateful to you.
And because we believe the chimpanzees can never have too much to celebrate, if you haven’t yet heard we have some exciting Christmas in July festivities happening! Check out our Christmas in July video starring Foxie and Dora on the GoPro on Young’s Hill (trust me, you don’t want to miss this one) and then help us fill up our stockings! We’ve stocked up our Amazon Wish List with things the amazing chimpanzees need and things the caregivers need to take care of the amazing chimpanzees and we’re going to have a party for the chimps on July 29th to celebrate!
Foxie and Dora send hoots upon hoots of thanks to you (as do we all)!
I will never tire of seeing chimps on the “hill”.
We play but a small part in helping the Cle Elum Seven, it’s you we should be thanking for taking such great care of our friends and showing them the love that we all wish we could show and know that they deserve!
So, THANK YOU!
Young’s Hill is paradise. Beautiful images of their breathtaking surroundings. I agree with Cody. Thank you caregivers for giving the chimps freedom, abundance, love, and most importantly, a place to call Home.
Very beautiful. Can’t wait for more chimps to enjoy this someday.
This is perhaps my favorite — well okay, one of my favorites — posts. It is lovely to get a sense of what their lives are like. The beauty of their home and the compassion and love that surrounds them. It is easy to see why they race out everyday, or at least when the weather is inviting. What a wonderful and rich new life you have given these precious creatures. If there is a heaven, you have a standing invitation, and the Cle Elum will be waiting for you.
Wow- those are breath taking views, – who ever chose the land and designed the entire chimp house definitely is a visionary who knew exactly what he was aiming for ! The Chimps definitely ENJOY THEIR Youngs Hill views from top to bottom to top over and over and again, Even for Negra – whom due to her aged appearances, is a tad slower, but WOW , Negra truly has come in to HER OWN BEING – its so beautiful to see Negra ENJOYING HER LIFE of Sanctuary- Thank You Mr Chappelle for building such a wonderful Sanctuary facility for these very fortunate and blessed Chimps, Not that we can make up for all they lost, But- you all have certainly given them such a wonderful new beginning 8 yrs ago, that just keeps getting better and fuller, and enriching with every passing day, – as it created an entire new memory bank of new life experiences of 365 new fun filled days for all –
I’m certain. Miss Jamie. thinks outside the boundary lines. of over and beyond their enclosures and what lays over ,and beyond, her perimeter! , Perhaps, they all wonder and think about life outside and beyond th e Sanctuary property –