Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Archives for August 2023

Then and Now

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Hi, everyone!

I’m sure you’ve seen us talking a lot lately about our upcoming HOOT! Fundraising Soiree and Mission Gala. I think I can confidently say that it’s our biggest event each year and I’m proud to be on the team working to put it together for you. It’s a pretty wonderful group of passionate humans to work with that includes current and previous staff members, as well as volunteers.

One of the things I’ve been working on lately is some of the videos that will be playing at both the in-person and virtual event. This task has had me searching through photos, videos, and blogs from the very beginning of CSNW. From day one, we have made it a priority to be transparent and honest with you in our daily blog posts as we share our residents stories. This has led to a rather impressive blog archive- with the first post being from October 15, 2007 by our founder Keith LaChappelle. One of the most amazing things about this archive is that it shows, in real-time, what has been made possible by our supporters.

I have been involved with CSNW since I was a graduate student at Central Washington University in 2017. CSNW was founded in 2003 and the Cle Elum Seven arrived in 2008, so I know that my time here so far has been a short blip in the grand scheme of things. I still wasn’t prepared for how much looking back through those initial posts would hit me right in the feels. I wanted to take the opportunity to share a few of them with you- as a thank you, as a reminder of why we do what we do, and as an ask for the future.

On December 7, 2007 Keith posted a photo of the original kitchen addition: 

Flash forward to 2023, the CSNW Chimp House currently looks like this (from the front):

And, with the two additions for Honey B, Willy B, and Mave and the Lucky Six, from the back it looks like this:

To see the growth of the sanctuary itself is special, because it symbolizes the home and care we can provide to our original and newest residents. These photos don’t even touch the other massive construction projects that have been completed- the renovation of Young’s Hill, for example, into the Young’s Hill / Bray side-by-side outdoor enclosure. Or, the addition of our little herd of cattle that joined the family in 2018.

What really hit me, though, were these photos.

Jamie, Negra, and Jody just after arriving at CSNW: 

From then, to now- Jamie, Negra, and Jody (from March this year, before her passing):

These before / after photos don’t include Missy, Annie, Burrito and Foxie- not on purpose, but merely because I don’t wan’t to overwhelm with photos. If you have the time, though, I would highly recommend looking back through those initial posts.

Sometimes, I think it’s important to look back at how far we have come- especially when it comes to our residents. We have the absolute privilege of caring for and loving these souls, whether we are near or far, and with that privilege comes a lot of responsibility. This responsibility is day-to-day, with direct care, but it is also long-term. It would be a disservice to them to not look to the future and wonder how we can continually do better for them, as well as for others who still need sanctuary.

This is why events like HOOT! are so important- so that all of us who love and care for these individuals and causes can come together to support them.

So that we can look at how far we have come, as we also look to the future.

Thanks for going on this trip down memory lane with me. 🙂

A New York City anniversary

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Twin sisters, Donna and Doreen Hughes, long-time friends of the chimpanzees in life and spirit, have a special anniversary today and we are so touched that the chimpanzees (and all of us) get to share in it through this day of sanctuary. Donna shared this touching message:

“August 21, 1979. We leave PA and move to NYC. Spent the evening in Central Park enjoying “Shakespeare in the Park.” NYC becomes home. Yes, Doreen, NYC is not half as much fun without you, but you are at the Rainbow Bridge with all of our girls – Athena, Wyle & Noelle. One day Sammy and I will join you. In the meantime, Let’s Sponsor A Day in honor of our Anniversary! Foxie and her friends would love that! Truly, the day we were at CSNW was a highlight in our lives!”

Donna, it’s so wonderful of you to include the chimpanzees in your cherished life anniversaries. I know that NYC has, and continues, to play a central character in your lives. Understandably, as it’s a special place like no other. We still think of your visit and are so glad you were both able to spend time here. May today surround you with equally cherished memories. Happy Anniversary!

Donna and Doreen’s Pal, Foxie, and her dear friend, Jody:

Foxie:

Jamie and Foxie:

Foxie and Negra:

Foxie, Missy, Jody and Annie:

Foxie and Burrito:

Foxie, Peach Blush Pink and Blueberry Muffin:

Magic Moments

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Earlier in the summer, J.B. and I fixed up the irrigation and soil for the old garden beds that are now near the chute. I, a little late in the season, pretty much randomly threw some seeds in the ground. Not much has grown, with the major exception of some sunflowers. One sunflower in particular has shot up exponentially compared to the others, grown a thick stem, and is going to bloom soon.

It’s so interesting to me that among all the seeds, it was just that one who not just survived, but seemed to find the perfect conditions to thrive.

I’m not a very good gardener, or at least not a very ordered and meticulous one, as you can tell from this story, but I love to see plants thrive. Just like I love to see the chimpanzees and the bovines, and the humans too, thrive at the sanctuary. We don’t always know the exact ingredients and conditions that each individual will respond to, so there’s a lot of trying and observing, taking note, and doing more of the things that produce happiness, joy, contentment, relaxation, and interest. There’s no one formula that works for everyone.

Missy, for example, doesn’t need a lot of human attention. Her physical environment is important. She needs space to run, things to climb on, and puzzles that she has to solve.

When she does seek out human attention, like today, it is pretty rewarding for the human. Today that human was me. I’m pretty sure Missy is quite aware that I love her toes. Whenever she’s in the mood to hang out, at some point she will put her toes out for me to touch. It’s the best.

She also puts her back against the caging so I can give her a little knuckle rub massage. This is my view when she does that:

One bonus photo that shows her face. At dinner, Anthony cut up some romaine lettuce, much to the delight of every single chimpanzee in the house. Here’s Missy enjoying hers, with Annie lurking behind:

We are trying to put together all of the ingredients to make our HOOT! event thrive for all of you (too much of a stretch)? Don’t forget to get your tickets!

Happy Anniversary to Mave, Willy B & Honey B!

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Today marks four years since Willy B, Mave and Honey B made their way to CSNW and a lot has happened since they arrived. The original plans for the three didn’t work out as everyone had hoped but after some time the Lucky 6 arrived and welcomed Willy B, Honey B and Mave into their family. While some are still finding their place within the group, which is completely normal, others have found their other half, like Mave did with Dora.

I wasn’t here for the introduction of two groups one of my favorite things about introductions with chimpanzees is watching them figure each other out and decide how to approach each other. I have been watching Rayne and Honey B’s relationship since I started and while some day’s it can be a little rough, they are quick to forgive and also have so many moments where I see them playing and grooming recently. One thing Honey B has picked up is Rayne’s keen fashion sense.

Honey B wearing a headband as a waistband:

They’ve not only made new friends but since their last anniversary the Bray has opened so they now have their very own outdoor habitat to explore at their leisure!

Willy B enjoyed an anniversary forage with his group

Honey B enjoying her lunch forage in the chute with the girls, she’s clearly a big fan of radicchio!

I couldn’t get them in the same frame but Mave and Dora enjoyed taking an after lunch snooze in the chute together

 

While Cy enjoyed some quiet contemplation in the greenhouse, because everyone needs a little alone time

 

Missy’s birthday is coming up soon, so don’t forget to check out her tomato themed wishlist items!

Foxie & Her Disney Princesses

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As we have mentioned the past few days, it’s HOT, but we are almost through our excessive heat advisory! Foxie’s way to beat the heat is to eat cucumbers and play with her new Disney dolls. This morning we gave Foxie a few new dolls that were belated birthday gifts! Foxie’s eyes lit up when she saw the princesses, especially Mirabel from Encanto! Later, we handed her a Bruno doll she has never had before. Foxie was very curious about it!

Foxie’s girl gang:

Bruno- (sadly Bruno eventually lost his head…):

Foxie crunching into her cucumber:

I think we should do some bonus photos!

Sweet Lucky. A world without Lucky would be a travesty:

Jamie:

Dora resting before breakfast:

Honey B eating chow series:

Gordo 🙂