Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Archives for December 2022

Bonus Christmas footage

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As our 12 days of Christmas is officially over, I wanted to express our gratitude for making this time of the year so special for the chimps! Yesterday’s Christmas parties were overflowing with happiness and excitement. Nothing feels better as a caregiver than excited chimps! However, we had so much unused footage from our parties yesterday, that I created a bonus video today! Hope you enjoy!

During the 12 days of Christmas, we highlighted some of the items we were graciously donated during our Comfort and Joy auction last month. We still have many items we have yet to receive, and once we do, we will continue the thanks! Stay tuned for that.

 

A Very Merry Chimp House Christmas

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We have been counting down for twelve long days (and planning for even longer) and it’s finally here! Today, we celebrated Christmas with celebrations that included wrapped presents, stockings, fireplaces, and a feast with baked sweet potato, fresh green beans, berries, and vegan Field Roast! What a day.

To all of the supporters who donated items from our wish lists for today’s celebration – a very hearty thank you from all of us! We could not do what we do without all of you who support us from home- you are truly the founders of the feast!

No matter what holiday you celebrate, or if you don’t celebrate at all, we want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday Season! 🙂 Stay safe, stay warm, and enjoy this special time of year!

Annie enjoying her Christmas Feast:

Annie taking a nibble on the Christmas tree:

Burrito enjoying his holiday drink:

Jamie checking out what she got in her stocking:

Jamie enjoying the drinks!

Jamie and Missy sharing a sweet moment in the greenhouse:

Missy:

More on the Christmas Celebrations & photos from Cy’s side coming tomorrow! Thanks, Jenna. 🙂

The Eleventh Day of Christmas

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It’s Christmas Eve!

On the eleventh day of Christmas, the donors gave to us… giant wolf blankets! Although they are large and fill up an entire washing machine on its own, they are truly so loved by the chimps! As you will see in today’s video, so many of the chimps incorporate these blankets into their nests at night. They are warm, cozy, and huge! Not sure about you, but that checks off all my boxes when it comes to blanket criteria.

Special thanks to:

Lisa B. for donating wolf blankets

While labeled for Honey B in the auction, everyone will get great use out of these new blankets. Even when it warms up!

Photos of the wolf blankets being used in the chimp house:

Honey B

Dora

Negra

Lucky, Dora, and Rayne

Dora and Rayne

Dora and Rayne

 

 

In memory of Stephen and Kathleen Hero

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Our heartfelt gratitude to Caroline Hero and her family for sponsoring this day of sanctuary in memory of their parents, Stephen and Kathleen Hero.

“Christmas has always been a special time for our family, so the loss of our parents is most deeply felt during the holidays. They taught us love and respect for the World and all of it’s creatures, and though they are gone now, they are always in our hearts, not just on this special day, but on every day of the year. I know that they loved and respected the work you are doing for the family at Cle Elum and would be honored to celebrate this day with the chimps. Thank you all for everything you do every day of the year. A very Merry Christmas to you all! Forever in our hearts.”

This is really lovely, Caroline. We are so sorry for your family’s loss and understand how this time of year in particular can illuminate the space left from loved ones we’ve lost. Your parents sound like such wonderful humans and may this special season also continue to illuminate all your hearts hold for them. Thank you so much for including the chimpanzees and bovines in your special memories of them and for choosing to honor Stephen and Kathleen’s legacy in this way. Merry Christmas Eve, from all of us here!

Sweet Lucky:

Dora, Lucky and Cy:

Jody, Christmas past:

Burrito and Foxie:

Missy:

The Tenth Day of Christmas

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On the tenth day of Christmas, the donors gave to us… boomer balls! Boomer balls are a popular enrichment item with the chimps. We pack each boomer ball with a few special treats, such as peanuts, and fill the rest with paper so that the chimps have to work for the treats. While the gift of boomer balls in the recent auction was intended for Terry, all sixteen chimpanzees will benefit from this donation. It is much appreciated!

Special thank you to:

Lisa S. for donating boomer balls

Past photos of boomer balls in use:

Terry

Foxie

Willy B

We also would like to give a special thanks to Renee Parisio for sponsoring this day of sanctuary in memory of Sue Parisio.

“Today would have been her 80th birthday. I got my animal loving nature from her.”

On the Ninth day of Christmas…

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Hooray it’s the ninth day of Christmas at the sanctuary! That amazing potato pillow kept moving from room to room today but I was never able to catch the chimpanzee culprit in the act. If I had to take a guess, I would put the blame squarely on that silly Burrito guy!

Special thank you to:

Barry M.  for donating the silky scarves

Jacque R. for donating the potato pillow

Dave R. for donating the stuffed tomato

On the Eighth Day of Christmas…

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On the eighth day of Christmas, the chimps received cozy blankets. I think you all can guess who put these blankets to good use!

Special thank you to:

CeeCee M. for bidding on cozy fleece blankets for the chimps!

And thank you to everyone who has donated blankets to us over the holiday!

It’s Negra, of course:

Negra in her morning nest. She greeted me and then went back to sleep :).