Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest
Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary
On Monday, Katelyn posted about the cows’ return to the summer pastures. Here’s a video version of the same event.
If you haven’t been around cows much, think of them as 1,000-2,000 lb. dogs, with every bit as much personality. Spring has always been a wonderful time of year, but seeing it through a cow’s eyes gives it even more profound meaning. Already they are choosing to forego sleeping in their barn so they can camp at their spot above Young’s Hill overlooking acres of green pasture.
This day of sanctuary for the chimpanzees and cattle was sponsored by Marya Barey in honor of her parents’ love of nature and animals:
“My parents were both nature lovers and shared that love with me from a very young age. I am very grateful for this aspect of my early experiences and all the times we shared talking about animals and in nature together.”
Thank you so much, Marya, for reaching out to make a difference in the chimpanzees’ lives in memory of your parents. It’s such a beautiful continuance of their legacy through your own heart and we’re so happy to share in honoring them here today. They sound like such lovely humans.
We’d also like to extend the happiest (of slightly belated) birthday wishes to you and hope your celebration was somehow made even brighter from the chimps’ Love a Chimpanzee Day party. Happy Birthday!
Burrito and Jody:
Betsy:
her son, Nutmeg:
After yesterday’s light rainfall, Central Washington is positively bursting with green today! The majority of the deciduous trees seemed to unfurl their leaves overnight and I even got a whiff of cherry blossoms as I pulled into the parking lot this morning. This fresh wave of spring and a party for the chimps was the absolute best way to celebrate Love a Chimpanzee Day!
Over in the Phase 1 part of the building, Willy B, Mave and Honey B were treated to a special “Love a Chimpanzee” lunch that featured fresh coconut, an all time favorite! Honey B was seen cleverly stomping on her coconut chunk to get it to loosen up. For the 7 chimps on the other side of the building, watermelon bowls were a big hit on Young’s Hill and the most fun part of the day to photograph.
Foxie:
Foxie and Negra:
Negra:
Jamie:
Annie and Jamie:
Jody:
Jody and Burrito:
Missy (not pictured) was zooming around the greenhouse collecting whole tomatoes as fast as she possibly could. Happy Love a Chimpanzee Day!
It’s that time of year again, when thanks to the creation of chimp friend extraordinaire, Monica Best, we get to have a party in celebration of chimpanzees and our love for them! Monica sponsors this official/unofficial day each year in their honor. And this year, Monica is graciously sharing her incredible story and a heartfelt request for the chimps who bring so much to all our lives:
“Today is my favorite day of the year….nope, I’m not talking about my birthday…it’s almost LOVE A CHIMPANZEE DAY! Nine, or ten (we can’t quite decide) years ago, after my second battle with cancer and an uncertain future, I sponsored the first Love A Chimpanzee Day for the chimps at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, and all the chimps in the world. I wanted to make sure there was a day to honor chimpanzees everywhere, but especially my favorite chimps at CSNW, who kept me going through the numerous cancer battles (I’ve had to battle cancer two more times, and have dealt with horrible side effects from cancer related medication). The chimps gave me so much strength, for each new battle I faced….As my thank you to these amazing beings, I try to give back to them (as often as I can) and the efforts to provide them with a wonderful life, filled with love, first class care, enrichment and lots of tasty food. Â
I know times are difficult for everyone this year, but I still felt the chimps should be celebrated…not only for them, but for the joy they bring to so many…and we could certainly use a bit of joy right now. This year, I have teamed up with one of my favorite human primates, Diana Goodrich, in an effort to help our favorite non human primates. From now until May 6th, Diana and I will be working hard to raise funds for the 10 chimps that mean so much to us both. Again, I know times are difficult for so many right now, but if you are able to donate, even a small amount, to LOVE A CHIMPANZEE DAY or GiveBIG Washington, it would mean the world to us. You can donate to our GiveBig Washington page or directly to the sanctuary. There has been a lot of controversy, as of late, as to what constitutes a true sanctuary. I can tell you that CSNW is the epitome of a true sanctuary. CSNW exists FOR the chimps and their needs. The incredible staff and volunteers are there for the chimps, and the chimps’ well being is always the priority. Please, if you can donate to help the ten most amazing chimps, it will be so greatly appreciated.
 Again, you can donate through the GiveBIG Washington page or directly to the sanctuary…in the note section you can just say it’s for Love A Chimpanzee Day. Thank you so much for the love and support so many of you give to the organizations around the world that are helping chimps, in sanctuaries and in the wild. I truly believe that I am still here because of the Cle Elum Ten. So, please, if you can, help me honor and care for Negra, Jody, Missy, Foxie, Burrito, Jamie, Annie, Willy B, Honey B and Mave. Thank you. <3<3<3″
Monica, from our hearts, thank you so very much for all you do to help ensure the chimpanzees (and so many animals) have the lives they deserve. And for so compassionately sharing your story and your heart, giving us all the gift of knowing there is strength, gratitude, inspiration and celebration to be found even, if not especially, in the midst of difficult and uncertain times.
Happy, happy birthday, Monica!! We hope it’s the best one yet and are so happy to celebrate with you! We hope you are taking a cue from Negra and doing something exciting like walking around your yard with a pineapple in mouth.
Happy Love a Chimpanzee Day, everyone!!
Burrito:
Jody:
Mave:
Honey B and Willy B:
Foxie:
Jamie:
Annie and Missy:
Since spring has sprung, so has Jamie! Jamie has been taking full advantage of these beautiful spring days and even the not so nice ones. Yesterday, well today too, Jamie and I were walking machines! If we were not walking we were grooming. All day it felt like someone was watching me. If I went to get water or start on a project she would appear, better yet, if she couldn’t see me she would stare into the camera by the playroom and wait for me to come. Seriously, nothing gets past Jamie, which is why she is so amazing. Once she would get my attention, she would take off running onto the Hill! Even when it was time for everyone to go home and Young’s Hill was closed off she wasn’t ready. So, Jamie groomed, her still favorite, XTRATUF boots in the green house for a little bit longer. Because it is spring now, Jamie needs to be doing extra patrols. There are cattle in the pasture next to the Hill and she needed to make sure that Honey B, Willy B, and Mave are being closely monitored in the Chute. She is a busy person. To be honest, because our days in the chimp house are a bit busier now, it was nice to be able to spend some quality time with her, and know that she got to do everything she wanted to do that day! All in all, when you get that feeling of someone watching you, it’s probably Jamie. 😉
Here is a rare photo of Jamie laying down yesterday:
Jamie saw Chad wearing his cattle boots during our walk and demanded he join us! Missy, Burrito, Honey, Meredith, Nutmeg, and Betsy came too.
As we celebrate Earth Day, how wonderful to begin the day with this day of sanctuary sponsored by Jackie Pordon, in memory of her mom, Elaine Pordoll, on her birthday:
“My mom loved all animals big & small. She would have been so interested in the Cle Elum seven and the new additions to the group. A big thank you to all who care for them.”
What a wonderful day to get to remember your mom and celebrate her kind spirit. Thank you, too, Jackie, for all you do for our sanctuary family as you carry on your mom’s legacy. We’re hoping today finds your heart comforted by your memories and love of your mom. Thanks for allowing us to celebrate her with you.
Jody:
Honey, Betsy, Meredith, and Nutmeg:
Jamie, Missy and Burrito:
Honey B and Mave:
Willy B:
Jamie, Missy, Jody, Annie and Burrito:
Foxie and Missy:
Burrito:
Foxie:
It’s a suspiciously quiet day here at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest. But with the chimpanzees here, being suspiciously quiet means they are usually napping in their favorite spots around the sanctuary, or grooming with their partner of choice. (So really not that suspicious.)
When he wasn’t outside in the Chute area, Willy B spent most of his day relaxing.
While also looking devilishly handsome, of course.
And when he wasn’t relaxing, he was grooming with Mave and Honey B.
Though Honey B participated in many grooming sessions with Mave and Willy B, she also spent a considerable amount of time outside in the Chute trying to either spy on her chimpanzee neighbors, or trying to catch a glimpse of the cattle on the pasture.
I, unfortunately, wasn’t able to get much photos today of the Group of Seven. Jamie was very adamant about me not taking photos of anybody while she was around. I was able to sneak this one of Missy though, after asking Missy if it was alright with her.
