Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest
Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary
Julz Carey sponsored a day of sanctuary for the chimpanzees and bovines in honor of Lynn Briere!
“Happy Birthday, Lynn!”
We hope you have a wonderful day, Lynn! Thanks for choosing to include the sanctuary residents in Lynn’s celebration, Julz!
Gordo:
Burrito and Missy:
Jody:
Lucky [luhk-ee]
chimpanzee
1. kind-hearted
2. engaged
3. first to greet her caregivers when they walk in the room; knows how to make someone feel special
4. observer of her surroundings
Lucky is truly one of a kind. And as cliché as it sounds, we are so lucky to know her.
When I first started at CSNW as staff, Lucky always made such an effort with me. Every time I saw her, she would storm across the room, no matter what she was up to, just to say hello. She was the head of the welcoming committee for me and she doesn’t even know it. She does this with all of her caregivers. She is easily excited and genuinely happy to see everyone 24/7.
You may have noticed in some previous blog photos or videos, Lucky uses blankets to scoot across the floor. You can see this behavior here (around 0:43). She will gather a few blankets, tuck them under her thighs, and use them to help glide herself across the floor. Closely related to rocking, this is a common behavior for chimpanzees in captivity. To phrase it in the simplest way I can, she does this as a comfort mechanism. As someone who was born in a laboratory, not raised by her own mother, and will live the rest of her life in captivity, it is understandable for her to seek comfort in any way she chooses. I believe even we, as humans, have our own individual ways to comfort ourselves in both good and stressful times. And that is okay.
As seen in the photo above, this is one of Lucky’s signature poses. Anytime you see a photo of Lucky from this angle, just know she is staring down whoever is behind the camera. Simultaneously, she is doing a motion with her mouth where she alternates sucking in her cheeks/lips. I presume that she is deep in thought every time I see this face.
We love you, Lucky!
It is no secret that the chimps, specially Jamie, like us to wear Xtratuf boots while we work. Thanks to one of our amazing donors, I was able to upgrade my old boots and everyone, including me, were very excited about them. Jamie inspected every single inch of the boots with a chopstick and later on with a grooming tool. Lucky, Dora, and Mave all made an effort to follow me until they got to touch the new boots. Then as I walked by Terry, he requested I come closer by spitting water directly at my boots. Cy was very eager to play chase with me after checking them out as well.
Items like these are posted under our Amazon wish list. Check it out by clicking here.
Many thanks to Caroline Hero for sponsoring this second day of sanctuary today as such a kind and gracious way to celebrate her birthday!
“Today is my birthday, and I wish to sponsor the day for your hard working team of wonderful humans at this sanctuary for remarkable souls, not just chimpanzee, but bovine, feline, canine and anyone else under your care. Diana asked the question; what do we owe them? We owe them kindness, love, respect, dignity, freedom of choice, a safe place to live, family and friends to grow old with and plenty of food to share it with them. You and your team have given them those things and much more than I could list, so thank you all for that you do, and thank you for sharing your family with all of us. I am a proud supporter, albeit small bits at a time, but I will continue giving whenever I am able. With my sincere love and respect, Caroline P.S: Give Annie and my Bovine Buddy Betsy a little extra love from me.”
Caroline, this was really lovely of you, thanks so much. And Happy Birthday! Thank you for allowing us all to share in your celebration and kind heart and for helping to make this sanctuary home possible. All of us here wish you a beautiful day!
Betsy:
Annie:
Long-time supporter of the sanctuary, Joan O’Flaherty, has been sponsoring this day for many years in memory of her parents, Ned and Noreen O’Flaherty. We’re always so touched that you allow the chimpanzees and cattle, and all of us, to share in your parents’ lovely legacy in this way, Joan, thank you!
“This is my parents’ anniversary. They both loved animals and supported conservation. Thank you for giving a wonderful home to the chimpanzees and cows.”
A few of our beautiful friends who we have the profound privilege of caring and providing a home for, thanks to so many:
Gordo!
Terry:
Willy B:
Meredith:
Meredith’s mama, Honey:
Jamie:
Foxie:
This morning was warm and muggy here in Cle Elum, WA. The forecast was calling for rain and the skies have finally opened up, just after Jamie and her pals got back from a walk around Young’s Hill.
With the rain coming down, it is the perfect day to sit on a porch, listen to the rain, enjoy a nice cup of tea (or coffee), and read a good book- which was the inspiration for today’s blog! It’s always nice to share a quiet moment with Cy as he looks over a new magazine or book, and I thought you might enjoy it too!
BONUS PHOTOS:
Cy, reading a new magazine today:
Annie, enjoying her morning walk on Young’s Hill:
Jamie, also enjoying a quiet morning on Young’s Hill today before breakfast:
There are always amazing moments happening in the chimp house, some weeks you hold them closer to your chest. For me, I have been holding them tight to my chest. So I thought I would share a few little moments with some of the “Big Boys’!
The other day Cy found me and instigated a big game of chase. Sometimes we were sprinting back and forth in the Marmot room, other times we were walking from Marmot room to Riverview greenhouse, and then we were off sprinting again! Often we would take a break in Riverview and just sit with each other, before he was off sprinting again.
The other morning Gordo was really playful. He was bunny hopping around and chasing everywhere. Eventually, Gordo sat down in one of his favorite enrichment items, a box! We sat peacefully together while Gordo enjoyed the warm greenhouse sun. We didn’t do much together after, we just enjoyed each others company.
This photo is of Terry looking adoringly into one of his favorites foods, an avocado! My moment with Terry though is just the sweet kisses he gives us. Throughout the day he will blow raspberries (or Bronx cheer) to get your attention so he can groom your boots or give you a little kiss on the hand. Terry just likes to spend quality time with his caregivers.
Burrito might not be in the “Big Boys Club”, but he has got a big heart! Recently, we have been playing a lot of chase in the greenhouse and Burrito has been throwing out his somersaults too! To be honest, any moment I get with Burrito is a blessing and truly special.
