Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Archives for December 2022

Happy Solstice!

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Thanks so much to Dylan Most for sponsoring this day of sanctuary in celebration of the winter solstice!

Welcome winter! And welcome, the gradual returning to more light-filled days here in the Northern Hemisphere as we tip ever-so-slightly back toward the sun. (And of course, happy summer to all of our friends in the Southern Hemisphere 🙂 ).

It’s hard to think of today as the first day of winter. For a good many, many weeks we’ve been seeing the kind of winter shenanigans typically reserved for January. But these midwinter months are a magical season and we hope all of you are cozy, comforted and finding the beauty and restoration only this time of year can bring. Just as you all help make possible for the chimpanzees through all the seasons. We are so grateful to you.

Negra:

Honey B in her beloved wolf blanket:

Terry warming up to snow-snacks:

Burrito waiting for a human to play chase by the Christmas tree:

Jody:

Missy and Jamie:

Jamie looking at her books in her nest:

Magazine-worm, Cy:

On the Seventh Day of Christmas

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On the seventh day of Christmas, the chimpanzees received giant slinkies. There are some in the groups who love slinkies to play with. We all know that Burrito and Willy B loved slinkies. We are now finding out some of the newer residents also seem to enjoy them. We have seen Rayne and Dora play with them as well as Gordo, though we currently don’t have any footage of Gordo because of his somewhat elusive nature.

Special thank you to:

Marya B. for donating the slinkies!

Rayne

On the Sixth Day of Christmas…

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On the sixth day of Christmas

Donor Linda gave to me

New People magazines!

– Cy Chimpanzee, probably

We send our most heartfelt gratitude and warmest wishes to our supporters who have donated to the chimpanzees through the Comfort & Joy online auction! You can go directly to the event’s web page to see the numerous items that were purchased by our community on behalf of the chimpanzees who call the sanctuary home.

You’ve probably seen some of the earliest gifts unveiled on the blog recently, from Squishmallows On the First Day of Christmas to a Negra-themed blanket On the Fifth. Today’s surprise is another unconventional enrichment item, intended to excite one quirky individual in particular. Without further ado, we extend a special thank you to:

Linda M. for donating the subscription to People magazine (addressed to Cy Chimpanzee)

Indeed, the sanctuary’s biggest bookworm will now have a steady supply of celebrity gossip and pop culture trivia to entertain him when he needs a moment of peace apart from his companions. Today, Enrichment Coordinator Chad delivered the latest edition of People directly to Cy’s “mailbox” (a gap under the caging of the Marmot Mountain playroom). You can check out the included video to see how Cy reacted to the holiday surprise!

On the Fifth Day of Christmas…

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Can you believe we’re already at Day Five of our Christmas countdown?! It’s hard to believe that Christmas Eve is this next weekend, even though our foyer is beginning to look like Santa visited early. 🙂 Thanks to everyone who has donated from our wish list! Click here if you want to check it out, there’s still items remaining that we need for the upcoming holiday weekend!

This morning when I went to say good morning to Jamie’s group, I was met with a very playful Burrito who still had the buffalo blanket from yesterday! He had it on his back while he ran across the front rooms to initiate a game of chase. Foxie, on the other hand, was waiting in the Front Rooms with her new Strawberry Shortcake doll. She handed it out to me before twirling away and coming back to take it. On the other side of the chimp house, the Dora Blanket is in the laundry process before being put back in for the 9 to enjoy again. How fun it is to see the chimps enjoying their presents- thank you so much to all those who participated in the Comfort & Joy online auction!

Today, we gave Negra and pals the *fabulous* Negra Blanket! This may be the best Negra blanket to ever exist in all of history. You may ask, how many Neggies is too many Neggies? And the answer is that it’s a trick question – there are never too many Neggies! The blanket features twelve photos of Negra living her best life, which often involves a huge nest and lots of soft blankets. 🙂 Check out the video for more!

Special thank you to:

(our very own) Chadwick de Bree for donating the Negra Blanket

Speaking of Chadwick de Bree – have you seen the news about our exclusive upcoming virtual visit? You will have the opportunity to meet Chad, our enrichment coordinator, and discuss all things enrichment! Click here to learn more and to register.

Handsome Burrito watching the snow fall outside:

Jody enjoying her warm nest:

Negra taking an after-breakfast nap:

Willy B trying to be sneaky:

Willy B watching Cy:

Foxie being silly while playing with her dolls:

Happiest of Birthdays to You, Linda!

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Our sincerest gratitude to Adam and Aimee for sponsoring today in honor of your mom’s birthday!

“Happy birthday to a woman who is full of grace, love and lessons. For always being someone we could look up to. Happy birthday to a wonderful mother. Love Adam and Aimee”

Happy, happy birthday Linda! From all of us here, we hope your day is beautiful and filled with lots of love and smiles.

Celebrate your day with some moments from earlier this year.

Gordo serving some serious side-eye in the Riverfront Greenhouse:

Annie enjoying her lunchtime chow:

Foxie being her sassy self:

Rayne enjoying a lunchtime forage:

Jamie resting on her nest, under a blanket, in the sun:

 

In Memory of Gina & A Celebration of Love

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From all of us here at the sanctuary, thank you Douglas for sponsoring today in honor of your wife, Gina!

“In memory of my wife, Gina, who died earlier this year. Today would be our 32nd wedding anniversary. Although she did not know of the Sanctuary, she loved all animals and wanted to protect them all. I started following your blog because I grew up in Wenatchee and I believe my mother had some relatives in Cle Elum. Now, I am grateful for your care for these terribly wronged chimpanzees and I know Gina would whole-heartedly approve.”

We are so thankful for your support, Douglas, and our hearts are with you!

A flashback to summer forages with Negra and her ear of corn!

Jamie with her summer forage haul:

Annie enjoying her lunchtime chow:

Gordo enjoying the summer sunshine in the Riverview Greenhouse: