As 2023 draws to a close, it’s time to reflect on the year that’s swiftly passing into our rear-view mirror. A shout out to our followers for always inspiring such good ideas for blog topics.
This year has definitely been a tough one for us at the sanctuary, most notably with the passing of our dear Jody Chimpanzee back at the end of April. Jody was such a huge part of her group and we all still feel the ripple effects of losing her. JB put together an eloquent and important blog about how her group mates mourned Jody on the night of her passing.
There was also lots of joy and excitement this year! We had two big birthdays this year. Burrito turned 40 and Negra marked her 50th birthday with a huge party!
The beginning of April was the very important heart week at the sanctuary as Terry, Lucky and Cy made trips to the clinic for cardiovascular exams.
In mid-May, Cy’s group went out on the Bray for the first time! This year we’ve seen such growth from that group of nine as they conquer the elements of their outdoor enclosure, one structure at a time. Sweet Lucky summoned the courage to journey outside just a few weeks after her group gained access. Her hanging out on the platform for the first time was one of my personal favorite moments of the year!
There have been numerous fun play sessions that we’ve blogged about this year, frequently starring Honey B!
Speaking of Honey B, who could forget that time she got the hose?
Oh do you also happen to remember that mystery Grace posted about months and months ago? Well it took far too long for us to figure out the perpetrator of this prank that kept going and going. Month after month, a new calendar would appear on the white board in the foyer. Just a couple of weeks ago, volunteer Dusty admitted that she had been making the calendars and sneaking them in the chimp house to torment us with this ongoing whodunit puzzle.
Volunteer Dusty who keeps good secrets:
Here’s looking towards 2024. For me personally, I’m focusing on hope, love and home more than ever next year. What was your most memorable moment at the sanctuary from this year?
That picture of my dear Jody is just beyond beautiful. Those eyes, those ears, her quiet self-confidence that seemed a lifetime away from how gaunt and disoriented she looked on the day that she arrived at the Sanctuary.
Yeah, it’s been a hard several months not seeing her foraging, or taking care of her friends, hearing her beautiful vocalizations. I can only say that I cope by remembering the beautiful soul that, for four dozen years, inhabited her beautiful chimpanzee’s body. I doubt that I am alone in concluding that, like Missy in the first photograph above, and Annie, Negra, Foxie, Burrito, Jamie, and all of the humans who loved and cared for her, that I carry my love for Jody in my heart and soul, always.
My heart always drops a little when I see her picture and then replaced by peace …..knowing she is always with us…We Love you Jodie:heartpulse:Truly a Beautiful ,Tender and Motherly Chimp
Sneaky Dusty!
Obviously, losing dear Jo has been hard. It’s a reminder that all of our OG 7 favorites are aging.
That loss is countered with the triumph of Neggie turning 50! And so many firsts….Neggie gets birthday cake, climbs to the top of the hill and hangs out there alone for a while, Missy climbs trees, Will B finally got over touching grass, Honey B went outside (even if only to slap the boys around before going back in)….so many good moments.
This year, I also enjoyed the staff videos, Burrito and his kongs and plushies, the hose heist, Jamie enlisting the whole caravan on patrol, Rayne and Willy B at the Gatorade pool, and Pasta Cam on Burrito’s birthday is now considered, I hope, de rigueur.
Thank you, Anna, and all of you, for brightening my day every day with news of my most favorite chimpy people on the planet.
Nothing was more memorable than reading the blog post titled “Keep Jody In Your Thoughts” on April 30th, Diana’s Birthday. And so it began. The unimaginable. Also memorable was your honesty, from sharing your emotions in dealing with the loss of your dear friend Jody to openly sharing your grief with all of us. The out pouring of the supporters grief. The openness of it all. The love we all held within our hearts for one small, caring, beautiful, resourceful person named Jody. And very prominent in my mind was the emotional goodbye from Jody’s chimpanzee family in the blog post titled “Saying Goodbye”. This moved me to my core in a way no words could ever describe. I will never forget any of it. I will never forget precious Jody.
I recall so many uplifting memories. Negra! March 29, Negra climbed Carlene’s Tower! And stayed for awhile to enjoy a pine needle snack! As if that wasn’t enough, Negra turned 50 this year. Amazing! The there was the first outing on the Bray and many adventures following that day. And yes, I will remember Lucky’s first climb on Ryan’s Tower! Fearless Rayne on the Bray, as if she had always explored outside everyday of of her life! And I’ll never forget sneaky Honey B caught on camera in her outrageous Hose Heist.
And I can’t forget the new canines — Adorable Benny (On the Gator with Kelsi!) and Nala joining Diana and J.B.’s family.
To Volunteer Dusty : Well played! You and Honey B could team up and really bamboozle the whole crew!
Thank you, Kathleen. Your words were beautiful.
As with others, my first thought of 2023 at the sanctuary is the passing of Jody. I know she is missed by all, humans and chimpanzees.
Linda, I love the thought of my sweet Honey B slapping the boys around.
Well every single blog/video clip of 2023 left me with memorable moments of your beloved sanctuary whether it was chimps, bovines or barn kitty. The passing of sweet Jody and the beautiful and moving video of the chimps bidding sweet Jody goodbye left an indelible print in my mind, making me realise how precious and fleeting life is- and the enormous loss that Jody’s paassing has brought.I also vividly remember the chimps’dental and heart checks which made me so aware of the measures you go to to ensure sound health for your residents. Thank you for bringing your sanctuary a little closer across the miles and somply put -thankyou for the memories.
This is the year when I first found out about CSNW.
It’s been so wonderful getting to know everyone and their individual personalities. 16 wonderful, unique, precious individuals.
I know this year has been a difficult one, especially with the passing of Jody. I only wish I could have known her while she was here physically, however I know her presence is always felt at CSNW.
jody passing and watching how they all reacted. i love seeing them hug each other. wonderful just wonderful.
This has been the year when I discovered CSNW for the first time with its incredible and beautiful residents, staff members, volunteers and supporters. For me it opened up a totally new perspective on the world of apes and also a long journey to go full of “treasure-hunting” and exciting discoveries (about them and about myself). The most memorable moment was when I “earned” lady Rayne as my “pal”. (Actually, this palship was a birthday present from me to me.)