Yesterday, we watched George step out into more of the sanctuary for the first time since his quarantine ended. He was a bit hesitant at first—totally understandable—but once he got his bearings, he settled in and began exploring his new area. He had such a great time in the greenhouse that we let him go back in today. Since it turns out, George isn’t a fan of getting his feet dirty on the bark, he figured out the perfect hack: using all the hanging firehose in the greenhouse to get around!
Archives for June 2025
George Explores the Greenhouse
Now that George has completed his quarantine, he is finally able to explore more of the sanctuary. This poses a bit of a logistical challenge—we don’t want him to be intimidated by the other chimps while he explores and we certainly don’t want to give them the opportunity to fight against the mesh or windows at this point, so for this to work the other chimps have to move to nonadjacent enclosures. And that means that both Honey B and Gordo have to be in a cooperative mood. But sometimes the stars do align…
On Resiliency
Our big celebrations on June 13th got me thinking, once again, about resiliency.
I was thinking about Negra and Terry and their resiliency, and the incredible resiliency we have witnessed in all of the chimpanzees who arrived seventeen years ago after decades of use in biomedical research.
This was the first time Animal Sanctuary Caregivers Day fell on June 13th, so that caused me to think about the resiliency that is required of caregivers who work in animal sanctuaries.
The caregivers at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest are incredible human beings in all regards and would be regardless of where they worked. Working as a caregiver, however, has a way of testing a person in numerous ways.
A lot of what caregivers do is very physical work, so being in good physical shape and bouncing back from inevitable injuries becomes more important than in other occupations.
Keeping in shape mentally and emotionally is perhaps even more important.
Caregivers are faced with many challenges in a given day that are often decisions that don’t have right or wrong answers. Caregivers are constantly weighing different welfare considerations against each other (for example, do I take more time scrubbing to provide an extra clean environment or do I do a quick clean so the chimpanzees can have access to the space sooner?). Living in gray areas can be uncomfortable, and it takes a lot of communication and ability to see fellow caregivers’ perspectives to avoid misunderstandings or division.
That’s just the day to day. Then there are the really big events like chimpanzees getting injured, sick or passing away that is part of the job of a caregiver. There’s the worry and grief and doubt that comes with that, and then there’s having to continue on with the daily routines for the sake of those who are still relying on that daily care.
It’s a joyful, uplifting, satisfying job; and it’s a hard job. There’s no way to do it long term without developing resiliency.
Huge kudos and gratitude and admiration and love to all of our caregivers at the sanctuary, our current staff especially, and also all of our past staff and volunteer caregivers. I have learned, and continue to learn, so much from all of you. I truly and deeply appreciate all that your bring and give to this work.
The chimpanzees are able to be their amazing selves and build their resiliency every day because of you. It’s a loop of resiliency from them to you and back again, and it spreads outward from there.
In addition to hundreds of other moments, today Negra was able to forage on Young’s Hill and bring some celery to the greenhouse to crunch, on her 6,207th day of sanctuary.
Trifecta Jubilee 2025, Part 2
Yesterday was The Trifecta Jubilee 2025! The Trifecta Jubilee celebrates Negra’s birthday, Terry’s birthday, and the anniversary of the Cle Elum 7’s arrival annually on June 13th. If you missed yesterday’s blog and party video, check it out here.
We had so much party footage, we decided to split it into two days. Please enjoy Part 2 of The Trifecta Jubilee 2025!
The menu: mashed sweet potatoes, corn, watermelon, sparkling cider, rolls, banana cream pie (made out of chow), and applesauce with a raspberry topping.
Negra:
Terry:
Congratulations CWU Primate Behavior Program Grads!
Thank you so much to Dr. April Binder, Central Washington University’s Primate Behavior Director of Programs, for sponsoring a day of sanctuary for the chimpanzees and cows in celebration of all the amazing students graduating from CWU in Ellensburg today!
“Congratulations to all CWU graduates in the Primate Behavior programs – including those earning a BS degree in Primate Behavior and Ecology and MS degree in Primate Behavior!”
We are so grateful to all of the amazing graduates for all their hard work and passion for contributing to the lives of primates, including the chimpanzees who call CSNW home. We appreciate you all and wish you all the best! Congratulations!!
Willy B:
Jamie and her cherished Lucy Bonobo book:
Cy:
Rayne reading Lucy Bonobo:
Honey B resting up:
Trifecta Jubilee 2025, Part 1
Today is the Trifecta Jubilee 2025! Special shout out to Paulette for sponsoring today’s blog!
We have many celebrations today, hence the name, Trifecta!
First up, today is Negra’s 52nd Birthday! Negra is known as “The Queen” of the sanctuary. She is well-respected and sits upon her throne, or her nest, the majority of the day. Negra is our eldest resident and we are thrilled to celebrate her every year.
Negra:
Next, it’s Terry’s 35th Birthday! Terry is the most gentle, human-oriented guy we know. Blog readers may know him by his special ability to endlessly blow raspberries in our blog videos. He truly makes every day better!
Terry:
Additionally, today is the 17th anniversary of the Cle Elum 7’s arrival to Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest (Jamie, Jody, Negra, Missy, Annie, Foxie, and Burrito). We unfortunately lost Jody in 2023, but the others are still thriving in sanctuary. 17 years and counting!
Our very much missed, Jody ❤️:
What Jody looked like when she arrived to sanctuary in 2008:
Jamie:
Burrito:
Foxie:
Missy:
Annie:
And the birthday girl, Negra:
Lastly, it is also Animal Sanctuary Caregiver Day! It’s a day to celebrate caregivers all around the world for the work they do every day, to better the lives of the animals they work with. Shout out to our team at CSNW! We are all dedicated, hard-working chimpanzee lovers and I’m proud to be apart of this team.
J.B. from 2008:
Diana:
Erin (our vet, but she is crucial!):
Katelyn:
Anna:
Kelsi:
Chad:
Jenna:
Sabrina:
Ellen:
Krissy:
Dusty:
Amanda:
Stay tuned for Part 2 of the video tomorrow!
In honor of Keith La Chappelle on this Trifecta Day
Tobin is the third sponsor of the day!
Thank you, Tobin for recognizing the trifecta celebration in honor of the founder of Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, Keith La Chappelle.
Here is Tobin’s tribute for this significant day:
I am honored and pleased to celebrate this year’s Trifecta Day in honor of my pal Negra’s birthday (she is 17 years younger than the day se came to CSNW) and the birthday of Terry. Last year, I sponsored the Trifecta Day in honor of Karen Creason and Margaret Parkinson, who were at the Sanctuary on June 13, 2008 to greet their seven new friends with blankets and toys.
This year, I wish to honor Keith La Chappelle for his corporeal acts of charity and mercy in seeking to establish a sanctuary where Negra and her six companion chimpanzees could finally live. His name is one of many whose name is on the list of the Righteous humans who have taken action to seek humane treatment of our cousins in the Tree of Life. On behalf of her Majesty (and, a later arrival, Terry the Town Talker), we thank you.
And, I so wish our beloved Neggie and our cherished Bronx Cheer-leader very happy birthday celebrations and a new year of life abounding in enjoyable experiences.
