Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary for primates.

Archives for August 2020

Happy Birthday, Ben!

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Laura Bradshaw sponsored this day of sanctuary for the chimpanzees in celebration of Ben Bradshaw on his birthday and shared this lovely message about her gift:

“Ben loves the wonderful residents of CSNW because the fabulous people there have done an amazing job of helping all of us get to know them. Without meeting them in person, we feel ourselves lift whenever we see their faces, or feet, or other random body parts. Thank you for allowing the CSNW critters to be a part of Ben’s birthday celebration.”

Laura and Ben, thank you for your kind words, we’re so happy knowing the chimpanzees bring so much joy to your lives, especially during these unprecedented times. And we’re thrilled that you chose to include them in Ben’s celebration! Thank you for making a difference in theirs lives with your generous hearts.

Happiest of days to you, Ben, from all of us here at CSNW!

Mave!

Burrito:

Willy in his tub:

Miss Honey B:

Jody:

Back to normal

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Last week, as he was leaving work for the day, Anthony noticed that Betsy was no longer with her group. It’s unusual for anyone in this herd to be alone, but even more so for Betsy. Diana and I joined Anthony to check on her and all three of us could see that she was favoring her front right leg. Her family had gone on their last trip of the day for water and she was unable to follow them.

So we each grabbed an end and carried her across the pasture to the stock tank. Just kidding.

Caring for chimpanzees is incredibly difficult, but cattle present some of their own challenges as well. In this case, we had to move the water to her, along with some hay and a mineral block, so that she didn’t have to try to walk. Dr. Erin immediately came out to evaluate her. I sometimes wonder if in the history of the profession a veterinarian has ever eaten an entire dinner with their family.

While I’m sure Betsy was grateful for the dinner service, Nutmeg was the real winner. That guy loves the tractor.

Dr. Erin decided that it was likely a minor sprain and that with rest and some pain meds she should recover soon. Did you know that cows can take one of the same pain medications we give the chimps? Except Betsy’s dose is 49 pills. Imagine what it would be for Nutmeg.

For a few days, Betsy and her family stayed in the south pasture. While she was up and grazing, she hadn’t walked more than a dozen yards or so from where Anthony had spotted her that first evening. But on the fourth morning, the cows were nowhere to be found. Not in the south pasture, not at the stock tank. If Betsy were feeling better, I knew exactly where she would go: To the stream that runs through the middle of the sanctuary.

Who wants to drink water from a tank when you can drink water fresh from a mountain spring?

We’ve been pretty fortunate so far when it comes to the cows’ health. Our biggest challenges have been keeping weight on Betsy while keeping weight off of her son. Thankfully this was nothing more than a brief scare and the cattle are now back to their normal routine.

Mostly normal routine, I should say. Because Betsy and the gang have some new neighbors. I’ve been meaning to meet them so I went out this morning to say hello.

Apparently Nutmeg has taken an interest in them, but when I walked out to the south pasture this morning the cows were keeping their distance. Betsy and Nutmeg were alternating between grooming and play fighting. They knocked their heads together, butting and bunting for dominance.

But Nutmeg isn’t interested in dominance. He just wants to groom his mom. As does every 2,000-lb Jersey steer, I would assume.

Before long, Betsy turned her attention toward me.

If you are going to visit the cows, be prepared to stay a while…and get thoroughly cleaned.

For Shani Campbell

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A second sponsor-a-day for today is from Kery and Terran for their friend Shani Campbell in honor of friendship and life. Here is the lovely tribute they gave to us to share about Shani:

Today, we wanted to honor a beautiful person and celebrate not only the gift of life but friendship. Shani Campbell, beloved daughter, sister, wife, friend and cat mom. Many know her other half, who is the creator of Cowspiracy and What the Health. What they don’t know is how much this incredible woman had contributed to those projects. Shani is a legend in her own right, not only supporting and being hands on throughout her husband’s work but also as an activist. She’s a long time vegan, fierce advocate for human and non humans. Shani’s not afraid to stand up for injustice or even for that matter get arrested. Overall she is just an amazing and beautiful human being, who has taught us the true meaning of compassion and forgiveness. Happy 40th Birthday Shani!

For Terry, Foxie and Missy!

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Mike Stockdale sponsored a day of sanctuary today with this fantastic note: “This donation is in honor of my wife Terry on her birthday August 14 and to the chimps who share her birthday month. Please use the extra money for enrichment for the entire group.”

We love this! Mike, thank you so much for celebrating Terry and our August birthday ladies, Foxie and Missy! We really appreciate you thinking of them all in such a sweet and generous way!

Happy Birthday, Terry! This was a good month to be born! 🙂 Even if your birthday doesn’t involve smoothies, watermelon bowls, Orange Blossom dolls and more tomatoes than you can possibly eat (unless you’re Missy), we hope it’s the best one yet!

Missy and Foxie:

Find your pineapple wadge

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Taking these photos of Annie reminded me that her birthday is quickly approaching on September 10th. It also sent me reeling on a slightly mournful tangent thinking about how 2020 (especially this summer) has melted away like a Popsicle we never got to enjoy.

To me, Annie’s birthday feels like our farewell summer party and often features bouquets of glorious sunflowers. As this year ticks by at a maddening speed, I try to grasp on to familiar landmarks in time (like her day filled with sunflowers) to remind myself that some things on this earth haven’t changed. COVID-19 won’t stop the mountain huckleberries above my home from turning purple or the eddies in the Yakima river from being the best places to spend a 90 degree day.  Many an enjoyable evening can still be spent in the comfort of one’s own breakfast nook, watching the chickens forage before the sun completely abandons the backyard.

There will still be mountains of tomatoes for Missy’s birthday (August 23rd) and carved pumpkins on Jamieween (October 31st).  There are still so many days to look forward to this year. We humans just need to be a little creative in how we can safely spend these special days.

For now, take the lead from Annie herself and lean into the small things.  Relax on a good blanket, put your feet up and spend some quality time with a favorite food. Find your own version of a pineapple wadge and truly make the best of it.

In honor of everyone who is helping the chimps

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Darcy Collart sponsored this really lovely day of sanctuary for, well, us all!

“Thank you to all the people who work so hard to rescue, take care of, and support these wonderful and deserving chimps! This includes all the rescuers, caregivers, donors, and/or defenders. You are so needed and appreciated!”

Darcy, this is such a kind, uplifting thing to do! Thank you!! As you stated so beautifully, there are a myriad of ways to care for each of these amazing chimpanzee people, none of which would be possible without the incredible support, dedication and love of so many amazing humans. We couldn’t do it without you all. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for making the chimps’ lives here in their sanctuary home possible.

Honey B:

Foxie:

Mave and Willy B:

Jody and Burrito:

Jamie:

Jamie, Foxie, Missy, Annie and Burrito::

Digital Field Trip

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Last Thursday we hosted a digital field trip with Northwest VEG. They are an amazing non-profit that offers all kinds of education, they create positive change, and help to build a stronger community and environment. I mean who doesn’t want to be a part of something like that! Please check out their website to see what they are up to!

We feel so lucky to have collaborated with them. Northwest VEG really understands the importance of sanctuaries and how crucial it is to educate people of all ages about the values that sanctuaries hold. I personally really loved working with them because they are such kind people, they’re respectful of the chimps, their needs, and our boundaries. As a sanctuary we rarely have public visits, especially now with COVID-19 we are not doing any visits. If you are not familiar with our philosophy on visits you can check out our website. This opportunity was very special and the participants asked a lot of hard questions and fun ones too.

My favorite question asked was, “What is the best part of the sanctuary?”. This may sound like an easy question. However, this was a hard question that I don’t think I gave justice to. There is so much that goes into that answer. Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest allows for the chimps to have freedom and choices, which are two things that humans took away. We all know humans took so much and that this is not their natural life, nor should it be. So I guess we could start there. They get to have choices. Another aspect is to see the chimps’ resiliency and watch the chimps grow as individuals. For example, Annie is now a much more bold and confident chimp. She sometimes swipes food from the other chimps and isn’t as afraid to test the waters and see if she can climb the social ladder. Foxie, for all the things she is unsure of, has become more brave than ever. She climbs and explores unfamiliar structures, and though blankets are one thing she won’t conform to, her love for dolls has expanded. One example that makes my heart happy and hurt all at the same time is Willy B going outside onto the new courtyard, an extension of Young’s Hill. He is getting more comfortable every day! It is something to celebrate and also if you think about it, that is something he should have never had to fear. Though we can never give them the life they should have had in the wild, we hope this is close.

If you want to have an experience like this one look out for our online auction, HOOT! 2020 on Saturday, September 12th, where you will be able to bid on a virtual tour of CSNW!

Most of my photos today are of Jamie. I hope you enjoy!

Jamie was having a very good day. I received my new cleaning boots yesterday from a very kind donor! They are the same pattern, octopus, just with less holes. Jamie, being the encyclopedia of boots noticed right away!

And Jamie approved. Though, her favorites are still Diana’s blue whale ones.

She is a very observant individual.

<3

Then there was Burrito.

A few days ago this is how I found Burrito nesting.v

This is a photo of Jody and her sweet heart shaped brow ridge.

Willy B has been nesting on the ground with some very plush blankets lately.

Mave nesting under the food chute.

Honey B. I just love this photo. You can see the intensity in her eyes.

I thought I would share some cattle pictures, just because.

Betsy.

Meredith.

Nutmeg.

And Honey.

I will leave you all with a photo I just took before closing up the chimp house for the night. It is a photo of Burrito and Jody nesting next to each other on a bench in the front rooms. Jody spent 15 minutes making her nest perfect. Burrito gathered 3 blankets and put one over his head. Goodnight everyone!