The chimpanzees are so lucky to have such amazing volunteers and interns working for them. The sanctuary is fortunate to have a core group of volunteers from the surrounding community, as well as a fleet of Primate Behavior student interns because of our collaborative learning agreement with Central Washington University.
Our volunteers and interns help take care of all those important daily tasks that are critical to giving the chimps comfortable and happy lives.
From preparing meals:
And in turn, serving those meals to the chimps:
To cleaning enclosures:
Keeping Burrito entertained is a pretty important job in itself:
And the boss Jamie has her own list of requirements for volunteers.
Like being a patient grooming partner:
And a diligent friend to walk with:
And being willing to repeat the process for an undetermined amount of time:
Some industrious volunteers come to the sanctuary just to help with building projects, like the newest structure that was put up earlier this spring:
Other volunteers help support our outreach and fundraising projects. Our spring fundraising gala Hoot, required dozens of volunteers to put together and pull off the big night!
Handing out sanctuary information and selling merchandise helps the chimps gain fans and supporters at our tabling events (hope to see you at the first Roslyn Farmers Market of the year this Sunday!)
Last year’s Seattle Vegfest 🙂
The end of spring means it’s time to say see you later to some of our college interns until fall as they take their summer break or leave for far off places for their thesis data collection. Others are finishing up their time at CWU and moving on to the next big adventure!
Here are just a few of this year’s masters students that will be graduating this weekend:
Next week we are excited to welcome our summer interns to the sanctuary! Thanks to all those that care about the Cle Elum 7!
Thanks for the reply Katelyn. Do you think the reaction to the Chimp dolls is related to past trauma from her babies being taken? Seems like it might be. Poor Lady. Have the others reacted similar when they’ve seen the Chimp dolls?
Sending a huge Thank You to everyone who cares for the Cle Elum Seven. I wish I lived close by so I too could do a little something hands-on to show my love. Love the expression on Jamie’s face in the very last grooming photo — sigh.
Congrats to the grads, much success to you all in your future endeavors!
Wonderful video but boy what a mess you caretakers will have at the end of the day
Kudos to all who share their love with these chimps; as interns and volunteers. I’m envious of those folks who live close enough to be able to give of their time so these posts mean the world to me. Virtual hugs to all the humans and all the chimps.