Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Archives for December 2023

Christmas preparations!

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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!

 

Happy winter solstice wishes from Dylan!

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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:

Negra:

A yawning Honey B:

Adventurous Annie:

Honey B, Dora and Mave:

Dora the Distractor

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Yesterday, Mave and Gordo were having a very sweet grooming session, but as Mave’s BFF, Dora was obviously not far. I found myself having a hard time capturing the moment between Mave and Gordo because a delightful little chimp (Dora) with sweet, big eyes kept distracting me and causing me to put the camera back to her, but I mean, can you blame me? If you were not already in love with Dora, I think this video will help.

We would like to give a very special thank you to Marjorie C. for purchasing Naomi the Narwhal Squishmallow for the chimps!

Oh! Before you go, a few bonus photos!

Sweet, sweet Terry:

Rayne enjoying one of her sheets! She looks a lot like her sister Tatu in the photo:

Today is for the CSNW volunteers and staff!

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Our heartfelt gratitude is going out to Colleen Walford for sponsoring today in honor of the humans of the sanctuary:

“Big thanks to the Staff and Volunteers for all they do.”

This is so kind of you, Colleen, we truly appreciate this! We couldn’t be more grateful to you, and all of our supporters, for making what we do for the chimpanzees and bovines possible.

Rayne and Willy B:

Burrito:

Negra:

Dora and Rayne:

Cy:

Nutmeg:

Missy:

Lucky, Gordo, Terry and Rayne:

Annie and Foxie:

A Trip to the Clinic for Honey B(‘s skateboard)

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*Right off the bat I want to apologize to anybody who became worried after reading the title!* (The alternative was “Honey B is Wheelie Excited,” but that crossed over into a threshold of cheesiness even I didn’t want to cross into.)

If you have been following our blog for a while, then you know that enrichment can be difficult for Honey B and friends. Some in her group love to eat things they shouldn’t be eating (certain plastics, rubber, certain fabric, etc.). One of the unfortunate consequences of this is when her and Rayne’s group integrated together, that meant some enrichment items Honey B, Willy B, and Mave had would have to be shelved either temporarily or indefinitely as staff try to alter current items or find an alternative.

During this year’s Comfort & Joy Auction, one item being auctioned for the chimps was wooden wheels to replace the rubber ones that come standard on Honey B’s skateboard.

A big thank you to Donna T. who placed and won the bidding for the wooden wheels.

The wheels came in last week and work was immediately underway so Honey B could finally have her skateboard back. Some of the staff (ok, mainly myself) were absolutely determined to find a way to make it so she can have it back. So thank you so much Donna! We and Honey B thank you for making it possible for us to give her skateboard back!

The Patient

Good as new!

Rayne tried to hand it back

“I think you forgot something in the enclosures again.” -Rayne (probably)

The Very Giant Caterpillar

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We’re continuing the trend of giving the chimps items our supporters donated to us during our Comfort & Joy online auction! Today, we celebrated with a very giant, very squishy, multi-colored caterpillar. I mean, how fun is that?!

I didn’t get a chance to snag much footage today, but Cy started out his morning grooming the caterpillar as I held it on the other side of the caging. Then it went over to Negra and her crew… check out today’s video for more!

A special Thank YOU to Diana K. for donating the Multi-Colored Caterpillar!

With Christmas right around the corner, don’t forget that you can help us celebrate with the chimps by donating items off of our Amazon Wish-List! See more by clicking here. 🙂

A Few Bonus Shots:

Willy B, giving us some serious model angles:

A Blurry-Terry, mid-Raspberry:

Happy Birthday, Linda!

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Each year, Aimee Kaufman and Adam Webber lovingly celebrate their mom, Linda Webber, on her birthday, by sponsoring a day of sanctuary. We love that the chimpanzees have been part of their family for many years now.

“Wishing the happiest of birthdays to our Mom. We could write an entire speech as to her values, love and kindness…….but her desire to have donations made to the sanctuary en lieu of presents says it all. We love you Mom. Adam and Aimee”

Happy Birthday, Linda! All of us wish you a magical day and our thanks to you all for always holding the chimpanzees in your hearts and contributing to their lives by including them in yours.

I think Burrito may just be the most joy-filled person I know. May your day and your heart be filled with Burrito level happiness, Linda!