Happy New Year, friends!

Somehow, despite thinking we surely had one more week, as all the sanctuary primates (at least this primate) and cows were bundled in their nests, a new year turned into a new month ushered in with new snow. January! Thankfully our party legs are still warmed up from the chimpanzees’ holidays as we go right into a batch of birthdays. The first of which one probably most needs their party legs to be warmed up for.

Burrito is turning 42 on January 6th! I don’t think we’ll ever know where this beloved guy gets his boundless energy  – just the other day caregivers tag teamed through an extended game of chase with him and despite three of us taking turns before dropping out, he was still going. Like every living being, he’s growing older. He also has arthritis in his knees and he’s been receiving treatment for heart disease for many years now. Yet you would never know most of this. As many of you are aware having followed him through more than his share of health crises, his wildly jubilant spirit is clearly his superpower.

Yet none of us believe for one second that Burrito would be thriving through all that life brings his way were it not for the sanctuary home, care, and love you help ensure he’s provided. You’ve shown up for Burrito, and each of the chimpanzees in countless ways, again and again and again, and there are truly no words to express the difference you make and how much it means to us all. It’s one of the most amazing testaments to community I’ve ever witnessed or been a part of. From our hearts to yours, THANK YOU!

This guy is wild. You know this. He is endless fun and games. But let us also appreciate all facets of Burrito to fully celebrate him! For example, one of his seemingly favorite things to do is rush the caging and kick it HARD precisely as caregivers pass the corner with a tray full of food. We know it’s coming, yet every time it sends us out of our skin. Imagine his satisfaction. He also loves to hold his juice cup with his daily medication, staring at you while he drinks it, waiting for just the right moment to toss it back at you (hopefully empty, but if not, all the better to him). And I can firmly attest to the importance of our safety protocols on those occasions he’s particularly amped up during mealtimes and I serve him something like a carrot and he puts his teeth flush with the caging, waiting, and in one CHOMP that carrot falls to the ground. “That could be your finger,” he probably says. Satisfied with himself, he’ll then immediately bounce into wanting you to tickle his ears or his adorable toes wiggling outside the caging with the next carrot. And of course, he loves to occasionally rile the ladies of his group and kick the windows at the neighbors. I mean, who doesn’t on that last one. (As a side note, someone like Chad will try to tell you this is all slander and none of it is remotely true).

Our Bubbie, endlessly endearing and endlessly loved:

Book-ending our January sanctuary birthdays is glorious Rayne, who is turning 35 on January 29th! Rayne is a wonder through and through. We often share our marvel at her incredible intuition and skill regarding her groupmates and navigating who is in need of extra reassurance or care. She is calm, kind, and patient, unflappable in so many instances. Particularly, Willy B instances! And as the most dominant female in her group, she is also very capable of letting others know they’ve crossed a line when she deems appropriate, truly not something you want to be on the receiving end of.

One of Rayne’s most intriguing and endearing behaviors to me is her occasional desire to share things with her caregivers. Chimpanzees are not particularly known for sharing. Certainly not their food (with the exception of mamas and their children) or an item they’re interested in. But like her half-sister, Honey B, it genuinely feels as though they are offering to share things as a way to connect, show care for us, include us. Just the other day Rayne reached out and offered me one of the nuts she was eating. I took it and told her thank you, but she watched intently until she was satisfied I’d “eaten” it. And she will refuse it if you offer it back. She does the same when sharing items of clothing like the scarves she loves. She wants you to wear them. And of course we do, with honor.

Beautiful, regal Raynie:

Embracing her first ever days surrounded by earth and sky in her outdoor habitat, the Bray, last spring, like the queen she is:

Also this month we have the honor of celebrating two birthdays from afar. Negra’s daughter, Heidi, will be celebrating her 41st birthday on January 8th at her sanctuary home, Chimp Haven! (Photo courtesy of caregiver, Sabrina):

Negra:

And Jody’s son, Bart, will be celebrating his 33rd birthday on January 14th in his sanctuary home at Save the Chimps! (Photo courtesy of Save the Chimps):

Jody:

It’s an incredible gift to know any of our chimpanzee mother’s children are safe and cared for, let alone to be able to follow their lives on any level, and we’re so grateful knowing they are provided the same opportunities to thrive and be cared for as the individuals they are.

We are overwhelmed with awe and gratitude for all you helped us make possible for the chimpanzees in 2024 and all you’ve set us up to make possible for them in the new year ahead and beyond. Thank you for being part of our sanctuary family! And for showing us all what is possible through community, care, and celebrating these amazing and unique individuals. We couldn’t do it without you.

Happy New Year ahead from all of us here at the sanctuary!