Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Archives for October 2023

Identifying Gordo

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Today I wanted to continue my chimp ID series that I started on Wednesday. Above you can watch the Gordo video I made to help trainees get to know his physical features a little bit better. Gordo is smaller than the other male members of his group. He has a white beard that covers lighter skin on his chin and mouth. His eyes are slightly closer together (and a little watery) and his face often has a bit of a “smirk” on it. He is also missing a toe on his right foot.   After you watch the above video, what features might you use to identify Gordo?

Ladies Who Goof

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I think we all can agree that most of the time Honey B can be a pretty big goofball, whether she is goofing by herself or with a friend! Honey B has no problem finding things to keep her occupied, but as someone who cares for Honey B the best way she occupies her time is when she is being silly with her chimp friends. Dora seems to agree! I hope this video brightens your day as much as it did mine :).

Here are some bonus photos of upside down Jamie hugging a charlie brown stuffed animal! Earlier today caregiver Sabrina and I caught Jamie in a goofy mood herself. As you can see Jamie is upside down holding Charlie Brown close to her.

Although Jamie was pretty content with Mr. Charlie Brown, she was gesturing for something. I found her I’m Lucy Book, which resulted in happy grunts as she took her book. She has never looked more satisfied than in this moment:

 

 

Identifying Cy

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These last couple of weeks have been a busy one at the sanctuary as we welcomed our newest staff members Amanda and Ellen to the team! They will introduce themselves individually to all our blog readers in a few weeks but for now they are learning the ins and outs of our daily routine.

One of the first steps in their training is to learn to identify all of the chimpanzees. They get opportunities to watch the chimps during meals and in passing as we practice doing door checks but it’s also nice to have additional resources like the blog to check out photos and videos of the chimps.  One resource that we have created was an ID playlist on YouTube featuring each of the chimpanzees in different settings. Trainees can watch the videos and see the chimps from multiple angles and in different settings. I discovered that I needed to update our playlist to include the “Lucky Six” so that’s the project I am currently focusing on. Conveniently, these videos can also tie nicely into a blog.  Today I made the Cy ID video.

Cy is a big chimpanzee with thick rounded features. He has a silver back and a grey beard. His face features a prominent brow ridge and deep creases. After you watch the above video, what features might you use to identify Cy?

 

Happy Birthday, Kevin V!

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Many thanks to Kevin Vonderscher, who is “Celebrating my birthday by giving!” by choosing to sponsor a day of sanctuary for our amazing sanctuary residents.

Happy Birthday from all of us, Kevin! May it be the best one yet. We truly appreciate your gift of helping to ensure the chimpanzees and cattle have all they need for wonderful lives.

Terry!

Gordo:

Foxie:

Honey, Nutmeg and Betsy:

Jamie:

The season of Jamieween!

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Whoop!! It’s the most wonderful time of year!! While the humans of the sanctuary, and possibly even the chimpanzees and bovines (the Californians :)), may be split between Team Autumn and Team Summer, I think it’s safe to say the season of “Jamieween” (aka Halloween/October) stands as a firmly honored and beloved time and tradition. So Happy Day to all you lucky lucky fellow October revelers!

Jamie!! We’re celebrating this amazing chimpanzee woman and her 46th birthday on October 31st! While we only know Jamie’s birth year, we cannot think of a better day to celebrate her honorary birthday. We could not have more love and admiration for this incredibly unique, brave, resilient, adventurous, curious, intelligent, beautiful, and often spooky, intimidating, silly, trickster of a person.

Jamieween past (Burrito, naturally):

Needless to say, it’s been a delight to introduce Cy and his group to Jamieween:

Willy B:

As much as we all look forward to this incredible celebration each year, I’d be remiss not to say that it won’t be without bittersweet memories this year. If you’ve followed us for awhile you will know that one of the highlights of the festivities in the past few years has been the anticipation of the appearance of “The Great Pumpkin Thief”, none other than our beloved Jody. Every year was a complete delight to see if and how she would go about absconding with the Jamieween pumpkin. Last year there was a title upset and Burrito was the first to claim the prize (though Jody wound up with it in the end). While it will still be a delight to see whether Bubbie, or someone else appears this year, Jody will always be the reigning Great Pumpkin Thief in our hearts.

Another special celebration this month is Negra’s son, Noah, who turns 34 on October 17th (photo courtesy of Save the Chimps). On their website, Noah is described by his caregivers as playful, excitable and rambunctious, so while he may not exactly have taken after his mother personality-wise, he sure does looks like her. This sweet face. We’re so grateful Noah is safe, loved, cared for and celebrated in his own sanctuary home with Save the Chimps:

Mama Negra:

And last but far from least, while early giving has already begun (thank you so much to those of you who have been in a position to donate so far!), today is the 10th annual Giving Day for Apes! Presented by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries, it’s a day of global giving in support of over 30 qualifying sanctuaries and rescue centers caring for chimpanzees, gorillas, bonobos, orangutans and gibbons throughout North America, Africa and Asia. It’s an incredible opportunity to help so many amazing organizations raise awareness, support, and vitally important funding for the care of all the special individuals who depend on them for their safety, survival, well-being, and healing, and for the second chances for the lives they deserve. Every single donation, no matter the size, can make a huge difference in the lives of so many individuals.

Happy October birthdays, friends! Thank you for being here through all of our days and years, celebrations and heartaches, joys and hopes. We appreciate you more than you know. May this time of year be so magical and beautiful to you and yours!

Claiming the Bray

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When Jamie’s group first got access to Young’s Hill back in 2011, it was the first time any of them had stepped outdoors in decades. Young’s Hill quickly became a place to tentatively explore, to run, and even, at times, to play. But it would be a while before it truly became their own.

Young’s Hill became their own months later when they began to patrol the fence line early in the morning and at the end of the day. It became their own when they would rush outdoors together any time unfamiliar people or animals entered the property. It became their own when their idea of home finally stretched beyond the walls of the playroom and greenhouse to include the two acres of hillside above the chimp house.

I believe that Cy’s family is just now beginning to claim the Bray as their own.

 

P.S. Don’t forget about Great Apes Giving Day tomorrow!

P.P.S. Terry is part gorilla! We knew it all along!

In loving memory of David Rutter

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Our heartfelt condolences, thoughts, and gratitude are going out to long-time friend and supporter of the sanctuary, Thyra Rutter, who sponsored this special day for the chimpanzees and bovines in memory of her beloved husband, David Rutter, who recently passed away. David was a beloved Arte for Elephants (AFE) Adventures Co-Founder and wildlife photographer.

Through Thyra and David’s art, advocacy, passion, and business, Arte for Elephants, they’ve worked to create hope and understanding for elephants living in ethical captivity while supporting the indigenous communities who share their world with elephants and other wild animals. David and Thyra have been wonderful supporters of the chimpanzees and you will most likely recognize some of Thyra’s beautiful artwork she has generously shared for our auctions and fundraisers.

To Thyra, and all who love and miss David, we’re holding you in our hearts. Thank you so much for allowing our amazing residents to be part of David’s incredible legacy.

Foxie:

Burrito, Foxie and Annie:

Jody:

Terry and Rayne:

Dora:

Annie and Missy: