The mosaic landscape in which the sanctuary exists is truly breathtaking.
Even so, it’s difficult to assess the value that such a backdrop provides to four cattle and sixteen chimps who reside here.
For their part, the bovines appear most excited about their environment when it is carpeted with fresh green grass. They’re not particularly expressive otherwise.
As for the chimps, it’s evident that they at least take the time to observe their immediate and distant surroundings. The degree to which they value the aesthetic quality of their environment and the effect that this has on their wellbeing are much less clear. Given that chimpanzee cognition is a lot like ours, I find it logical to assume that they appreciate a good view. Sometimes, it even seems like they go outside just to soak up the weather and enjoy the panoramic perspectives of the surrounding hills.
This older photo by J.B. shows Foxie having one of those moments.
It’s not surprising that the chimps spend so much time exploring their own backyard. These chimpanzees live on some prime real estate.
The sanctuary occupies a grassy patch of land on the western flank of Lookout Mountain (which is not to be confused with any of the the state’s eight other landforms with the same name). Behind the sanctuary’s upper boundary, there is a network of dirt roads that wind their way up the slope to a few private cabins. Last week, I decided to “take the long way home,” pushing my old SUV up the ridge to get an eagle’s view of the sanctuary. As always, the view from up there was incredible.
From the side of the mountain, one can get a sweeping vista of the rust-colored hills and wooded rangeland of the Teanaway River valley to the north, the growing mountain towns of Cle Elum and Roslyn to the northwest, and the rushing waters of the Yakima River and its basalt canyon to the southwest. This entire patchwork is nestled below the mighty peaks of the Central Cascades.
Even with all these features visible from our backyard, the sanctuary itself might still be the strangest artifact on the landscape. It’s not too conspicuous; From a plane, it might be mistaken for a ranch or even some sort of outdoor sports complex. (I’ve joked that Young’s Hill could also double as an interesting paintball course.) From the ridge, however, it’s clear that the wooden climbing platforms and electrified fences are designed for another purpose entirely. If you didn’t already know the sanctuary was here and had never been to a similar facility, you’d probably never guess that sixteen chimps lived in one of the barn-like structures situated at the mouth of the canyon.
John Joseph O'Brien says
Awesome pics of beautiful scenery. You should sell those and other pics in your STORE.
Anthony says
Thanks, John! Selling prints of caregiver photos is an interesting idea. As far as I know, the best ways to get photos currently are to order a calendar or buy a print at one of our auction events. I’ll ask the bosses if we have any plans to expand our store!
Linda C says
I knew it was an Anthony blog when I saw the title! (because I liked that book, too).
Gorgeous views! it’s been a great spot, and will continue to allow growth for the sanctuary.
And……who says you can’t have a staff day and play paintball in the long, high grasses of summer!? (non-toxic paint, of course!)
Anthony says
Paintball would be a great team building exercise (and maybe indirectly double as emergency response training, too)!
Paulette says
I always wondered if any of you took off from the sanctuary on a long hike. And also wondered what a hiker might think if they happened upon the sanctuary! Especially if they were spotted by a chimp sending out alarm calls. Intruder! Intruder!
I hope you do this again in the spring Anthony, when everything greens up again. What a beautiful landscape.
It’s so interesting – the differences in sanctuary landscapes. There are two sanctuaries here in Florida. Save The Chimps, and Center for Great Apes. And they are both vastly different landscapes.
(By the way, the Center for Great Apes rarely puts out videos, but they did this week and I learned that they took eight chimps from the Wildlife Waystation. I was so happy to hear that!)
Karen says
Thank you for mentioning the Centre for Great Apes video Paulette. I will look for it on youtube. I am very interested to hear about the chimps they have taken in (and to have another look at the beautiful orangutans they care for)
Paulette says
Karen. it was the video about all the produce and meal prep. They didn’t show the eight chimps, they just mentioned they were going to be getting the eight chimps. in the comments section they clarified that the video was made before those chimps arrived but that now they are indeed there.
Kathleen says
To Paulette and Karen (and anyone else who is interested), you can see photos of “The Great Eight” who recently relocated to Center For Great Apes as well as the 11 going to Chimp Haven on NAPSA’s website under “Chimpanzees in Need” :
https://primatesanctuaries.org/chimps-in-need/
On the far right you’ll see “A Brighter Furure” where links to each sanctuary, including CSNW, are noted. Click to see the photos. Enjoy!
Paulette says
Kathleen
Thank you!!!
Anthony says
To be frank, there aren’t any public hiking trails nearby, but I do enjoy driving around back roads, too. The sanctuary property itself is a pleasant hike if you don’t mind ducking under the occasional cattle fence. 🙂
Also, we’re so happy that more Waystation chimps were rescued and transferred to a sustainable sanctuary home. Some former interns/volunteers now work at CGA so we know the chimps are going to receive excellent care!
tom austin says
The dead trees are part of the range fire some years ago…Y/N
With your new tractor, keeping fire lanes clear should be a easier job. NEVER EVER forget to do that chore….
Anthony says
Thanks, Tom! J.B. was just out there a few weeks ago, removing some fallen pines from potential choke points and smoothing out some ruts in the dirt roads. We try to keep the upper roads clear because of land easements, too.
Connie Buckley says
Beautiful views. That old fire came SO very close to the sanctuary! The fire crews were awesome.
Anthony says
For sure! We definitely appreciate our local crews!
Vickie Scribner says
The first time we ever noticed it, my friend said, “man! That guy must really not want any elk in his yard!” Shortly aftewards I found out what exactly was up there! So happy to have the chimps as locals!!
Anthony says
Hahaha! The chimpanzee fence does work for elk, as Ellie proved during her unofficial tenure at the sanctuary!
Marya says
Anthony, this gift was just what I needed today! The views are stunning. I’ve never been to central WA and obviously need to make a trip there for many reasons! I love seeing the chimps at the top of their structures looking out over the landscape whenever those show up in posts. I always wonder what they’re thinking and how they think about their overall surroundings that are so breathtaking. I think about a pic of one of the chimps from a while back (can’t recall who) at the top of a very tall post balancing there in mid-air and looking quite pleased about being there.
Anthony says
I love those perspectives too, Marya! I highly recommend exploring this part of the country, by the way! There are stunning views around every curve in the road.
Judy says
Anthony… your posts are always such fantastic perspective for we who are not there.. the words , the photos, the sentiment. Everyone’s posts carry their own unique perspective – and all are appreciated. Today’s is grand – I thoroughly enjoyed perusing the photos … Thanks to all of CSNW
Anthony says
Thanks, Judy!
Laura B says
You give folks a really nice blog and next thing you know someone is getting greedy, asking for more. Is it possible for you or someone else to go to Young’s Hill when it’s not available to chimps and climb one of the taller structures and take photos of what they would see when up there? Maybe N, NE, E, SE, all the way around to NW? In my defense, you started us thinking about what they could see.
Anthony says
Hey Laura! I know I took some photos from the top of the Lookout Tower on a couple occasions, but I was unable to find them while looking back through past blog posts. I’m sure we’ll be taking more of those panoramas soon, with the outdoor enclosures expanding and whatnot…
Kathleen says
Wow. Thank you Anthony for this perspective! The views are spectacular. I have always wanted a birds eye view from the the Twister and the chimps towers but this goes beyond.
I am the farthest thing from a Primatologist but I believe the chimpanzees find peace and beauty in the panoramic views they take in from their favorite vantage points. How could they not?! Now I have a better understanding of what they see. Makes me think back to the day this year when Negra climbed up to the top of the structure for the very first time. No wonder she sat there a while, Sure she got Missy’s pineapple but she also experienced that magnificent view and the way you feel when you see a vast, breathtakingly beautiful landscape.
Anthony says
I’m glad you liked the post, Kathleen! I like to think that Negra took a moment to enjoy the view between those in which she was pestering Missy. 🙂
amyrg says
This is a wonderful post. It brought me back to the first time the original 7 went outside for the first time. The way they hugged each other. I know a couple were a little timid at first but look at the surroundings! Not only had most of them never touched grass nor been outside, the view must have been overwhelming. It brought tears to my eyes just now.
Anthony says
Thanks, Amy!