As Sabrina mentioned yesterday, we’ve had a crew of folks out yesterday and part of today making some wonderful enhancements to the outdoor habitats on both sides – Young’s Hill for the original group and The Bray for the group of nine from Wildlife Waystation.
The motivated crew was led by none other than the founder of Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, Keith LaChappelle! Huge thanks go to Keith and everyone who accompanied him for all the work they got done!
Enhancements included planting trees along newly-installed irrigation lines, finishing and adding cool fire hose “roofs” to the new climbing platforms, and creating more resting areas. They had the opportunity to see the chimpanzees enjoy the new additions when we set out a forage for both groups.
Another thanks goes to Chad for taking all of the photos below, saving the day for the blog.
Foxie:
Burrito:
Jamie and Burrito exploring one of the now finished and fire hose – adorned climbing structures:
Annie next to some of the newly planted trees:
Jamie:
This photo doesn’t show off the new enhancements, but it does show off Missy’s athletic dismount from the treat rock. Not bad for nearly 49!
I love this shot of Lucky that Chad got:
Mave is continuing her bravery and adventured out for the forage too:
Terry looking handsome with new trees behind him:
Gordo with a red pepper under the new roof of a structure:
You can never go wrong by finishing with a Gordo close-up:
Nice job, JB, Keith, Jake, Chad and other volunteers!
I’m sure the fire hose roofs will make the Californians feel a bit more safe.
Does Willy B still nap outside?
Delayed response! We haven’t seen Willy B napping outside lately. We keep wondering when he’ll join the top of the Bray club!
I mean, a year or two ago, the grass waa lava
..
he’ll get there. I just could not believe that he felt so comfortable outside that he could go to sleep there. That was so amazing!
Great work and wonderful photos. I love seeing Missy and her athletics…..age doesn’t slow her down at all. Well done Mave for your continuing bravery, and the others for posing so nicely for some perfect shots. A big thank you to all.
Big thanks to all of the volunteers for their hard work for CSNW’s wonderful reaidents, both chimpanzee and bovine.
I imagine everyone was quite excited by the outdoor improvements. As for Missy, surely there’s a typo and you meant 29, not 49 😉
I have to ask, how excited was the Young’s Hill group upon seeing their old friend Keith?! 🙂
Thank you to everyone involved in improving the outdoor spaces. The firehose lattice roofing is so cool. Literally and aesthetically. Casting just enough shade to keep the chimps comfortable on those hot summer days. And I love all the new trees! Everything looks amazing.
Thanks Chad for documenting the day! Catching gymnast Missy mid leap is my favorite. I’m with Eli—Diana, you clearly meant 29 years old and not 49! I can’t wait to see everyone enjoying settling into their “new” back yards this summer.
Speaking of settling into new backyards….will it soon be time for the Annual Running of the Cows to their summertime pasture? (Is Betsy recovering from her loss? Is Meredith’s osteoarthritis improving?) Hope they know how much all of us out here in the blogosphere love them.
Always a lot of activity happening at the sanctuary. Thanks for pouring your hearts into keeping each individual happy and well.
They were quite happy to see Keith! Especially Burrito. The cows are being moved in a step-by-step fashion and will soon have access to the pasture by The Bray. We are going to take the running of the cows a bit less energetically because Meredith is still affected by her osteoarthritis, though overall is doing better. Betsy seems to be doing okay, especially now that she can dote on Meredith.
Thanks so much for the update. I assumed the “running” might not be possible. Seeing the cows joy as they took to their new pasture was precious, even more so now. I am glad you always captured that on video and in pictures. How fortunate Betsy can mother Meredith while she’s trying to heal. Will Meredith need to remain in her special stall still or is she now able to walk?
Sorry about all the questions. It’s hard to imagine Meredith not being contained in a small safe area knowing she struggles with osteoarthritis. I think I would overly mother her! 🙂 I am happy knowing she is doing better.
Meredith has been out of her stall for several weeks and the walking of the cows happened today, finally! Look for updates on what Cy things of his bovine neighbors 🙂
Sure enough, from the CSNW website
Missy: Born 1975 in captivity. Celebrated birthday: August 23rd.
Yep, she really stuck the landing. i cant wait to see her dismount from the pommel horse at Chimp Olympics.
A round of applause to everyone who worked so hard on all the outside enhancements.
What amazing photos (a huge thankyou,Chad) and they capture all the sheer hard work and creativity from the team. You can see already the benefits to the chimps as they play and forage in their enhanced outdoor area.May I ask how Keith feels when he visits CSNW? Is he nostalgic for his time there, I wonder. He would certainly draw comfort from knowing that the sanctuary went on from strength to strength.
Thankyou everyone for sharing this with us. I always feel part of your amazing family.
IIRC, he created it and found JB and Diana to help finish the good works and run it. Indeed, he’s a lot to be proud of.
The sanctuary will always be a very special place for Keith, and he invariable becomes emotional at some point during his visit. It’s incredible what he did to bring the sanctuary to fruition, and we are so glad that he can continue to not only visit but also enrich the lives of all of the chimpanzees here and introduce more people to this special place that he helped to create.
Thankyou for that, Diana. Keith is still very much a part of the sanctuary and, as you say, continues to bring enrichment to eveyone there. Bless him and bless you all.?
Oh, I meant to put :sparkling_heart: not a ? !!
How heartwarming for Keith and Burrito to have a friendship that endures. A tribute to the sanctuary and all iinvolved in its expansion and enduring care over the years. Tell Meredith to take it easy. No pasture running. As someone who deals with my own osteoarthritis issues i treasure getting up and getting out every day. Meredith is in a safe, loving place with friends who care. Blessings to all.
It’s wonderful to have been away a bit and to come back to all the fabulous posts and the many “doings” around the sanctuary! Does my heart good to know Keith is involved in various ways and that the sanctuary’s facilities keep providing enrichment and sheer plain fun (as well as challenges) to the populace. I’m grateful every day for the presence of CNSW in my life and all its wonderful beings (well maybe not the summer rattlers). Thanks to all for what you to to keep the place so vibrant and healthy!