Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary for primates.

A spring celebration, just because

by

It’s watermelon season and since the chimpanzees haven’t had a party in days, we thought what better thing to do than have an impromptu watermelon bowl party! Just because! We halved personal size watermelons and filled them with blueberries, strawberries, purple cabbage, cucumber, mini-peppers, avocado, wild roses, and chives. And what chimp party is complete without sparkling cider?

Jody:

Annie:

Negra collecting bowls:

Missy:

This guy:

Jamie lingering over the wild roses, one of her favorite things to eat:

Everybody has their favorite parts and style of eating the bowls. Foxie was all about the bowls themselves, scraping as much off the rind as she could:

The chimps spent most of the afternoon in various locations of the chimp house deep in watermelon bowl-induced naps. I came upon Annie, sound asleep in the greenhouse with the breeze blowing on her hair. But at one point she managed to find a bit of rind leftover to chew on before drifting back to sleep. She didn’t even open her eyes!:

Spring has just been a kaleidoscope of birds swirling through the cacophony of their songs, yellow and purple wildflowers covering neon green fields, warm days and cool breezes, neighboring wildlife going about all their wild lives…I mean, it’s just amazing. An ode to life, and sometimes death, just watching it all. And the fact that the chimps and their home are at the center of all this is a celebration all it’s own. We hope you are all soaking in all the beauty of this season as much as the chimps. It’s because of you that all their days are ones to celebrate.

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Comments

  1. That was a super fun blog, Katelyn, thank you! Love the pics. Love getting to know them individually. I’m so glad I found your sanctuary, you all are a very positive addition to my life! And of course the chimps lives!

    • I could not agree more, Christine. The sanctuary brightens every morning while reminding me of our role, often poorly fulfilled, in the world.

      I was scrolling down, thinking Burrito will have his face right in the watermelon bowl… Aha! No surprise there. ? What a lovable goof. You folks are the absolute best.

  2. Thank you Jen and James for honoring Susan’s memory by sharing with the chimps. Great pictures of the beautiful Annie!

  4. It worked for Brian Wilson: he installed a sandbox in his house, then placed a grand piano inside its contours and composed “Pet Sounds” and “SMiLE”. I love how content Jamie looks…I hope that her supply of sand gets replenished on a regular basis.

  5. Simply put, after having read this blog post & carefully studying each & every photograph, (which are absolutely BEAUTIFUL…) my heart is beating with so much JOY for your incredible Sanctuary, & the extent to which you go in providing so much love, security & round the clock comfort, for these seven magnificent Chimpanzees…God bless you all for your caring & loving hearts…I wish I were there with you helping in whatever way I could…