Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary for primates.

Archives for June 13, 2019

Negra’s 46th birthday party!

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Today we celebrated Negra’s 46th birthday and the 11th anniversary of the chimpanzees’ arrival to their sanctuary. Since it’s Negra’s (honorary) birthday, we geared the day towards the things she truly loves. The morning started with a beautiful brunch featuring buckwheat carrot waffles (with a peanut butter drizzle) made with love by volunteer caregiver Patti, hard boiled eggs from my happy chickens, fresh roses and juicy plums!

I think this video of the waffle feast pretty much sums up how absolutely delighted Negra was.

Then for lunch we set out a giant lettuce forage. It’s really nice that simple things like a whole head of lettuce can still be so exciting to the chimps (even after 11 years!!).
Everyone enjoyed their lunch, but Jamie really wowed us (and not just because she collected a bunch of lettuce). It had more to do with what she decided to do after she filled her hands and mouth:

We were all in awe as she crossed an entire tightrope like this:

Here’s to many more years of waffle and lettuce celebrations!

Happy, Happy!

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Dear friend to all the primates (and bovines) at the sanctuary, Kathleen Corby, also sponsored this extra special day of celebration! Woot! Or rather, Hoot! Kathleen shared this beautiful, heartfelt message about her gift today:

“Happy Birthday Negra! For eleven years you have been blossoming into your true self and during this time you have shown us what a brave and beautiful chimp woman you truly are. It is an extraordinary pleasure to witness the small, consistent transformations you have made over this short period of time. The love in my heart that I hold for you expands each and every year so I sponsor today to celebrate you on your honorary birthday. Much love to you from me. XOXO And I celebrate eleven (11!!!) years of Sanctuary. Happy Anniversary to all! Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, like Negra, is always growing, expanding, transforming — especially now with your Bring Them Home Campaign. You are one of the finest animal welfare organizations, every thought is filled with compassion and care for the Cle Elum Seven and the new Bovine Gang. Best of everything to you in your 11th year of Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary…. 7 (Seven amazing chimpanzee people). 11 (Your eleventh anniversary). 13 (the lucky day the Cle Elum Seven came to their new sanctuary home) Forever Lucky Numbers now!!!”

Kathleen, we are so grateful for the abundance of love and compassion that flows from your heart. The lives of so many beings are enriched by your presence here on earth. So much gratitude to you for helping us celebrate this special day!

Negra:

Jamie:

Jody:

Foxie:

Annie:

Missy:

Burrito:

And of course, we also celebrate Betsy, Honey, Meredith, and Nutmeg, the bovine members of our sanctuary family:

Happy Birthday to Ms. Negra!

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Jennifer Cruikshank sponsored this special day of sanctuary in honor of the Queen herself, Negra! Not only is today the 11th anniversary of the chimpanzees’ arrival to the sanctuary, but it’s the day we chose to celebrate Negra’s honorary birthday. Negra turns 46 today!

Jennifer! Thank you so much for helping us begin this very special day for Negra and her family in such a wonderful way! We have a day of celebration (and favorite Negra things) underway and can’t wait to share it with you all later today. After 11 years in her sanctuary home, Negra, along with each of the chimpanzees, continues to surprise, delight and fill us with awe. Thank you to everyone for making that possible.

Happy Birthday, Negra! You are so loved. May all your days forward be filled with the kind of joy that nightbags, peanuts, lettuce and nests of blankets befitting of, well, a queen, bring to your heart.