December 21, 2023 - Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

This afternoon as I type, volunteer Dusty is hard at work wrapping presents for Monday’s big Christmas celebration, Jenna is going through box after box of fresh gifts and Kelsi is ordering the produce for the menu. Throwing a Christmas party for chimpanzees is definitely a team effort!

We’re continuing our thank you series from our Comfort and Joy Auction. Today we put out this sweet rainbow stuffed guy and Jamie incorporated it into her nest right next to her Boot Barn catalogue.

Thanks to Dori R. for purchasing this item for the chimps!

Speaking of nests, this troll blanket was donated during the auction by former staff member Sofia and she conveniently got one for herself as part of “Quid Pro Throw.”

Just 4 more sleeps till Christmas!

Our heartfelt thanks to Dylan Most for this wonderful annual sponsorship of today in celebration of the winter solstice here in the northern hemisphere (or summer if you’re in the southern hemisphere)!

We appreciate you, Dylan! The first day of winter and our tilting toward the slow return of more light-filled days. We wish you, and everyone, all the magic and wonder and comfort this season of light and dark holds. Thank you for always holding the chimpanzees in your heart.

Foxie:

Though from many, many winters past, this photo of Jamie and Annie perfecting the shoveling that the humans had just completed always makes me smile:

Terry:

Our beloved Jody was the queen of foraging in all seasons and winter was for giant ice treats:

Truth be told, we are so far experiencing a relatively mild winter (sshhh…) and have had minimal snow and nary an icicle. But January and February tend to be doozies, so we’ll see what happens. Here are Missy and Jamie enjoying icicle enrichment from a past winter: