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Archives for July 2025

Gordo Turns 37!

July 19, 2025 by Ellen Brady-McGaughey

Today is Gordo’s birthday! There is so much to love about Gordo Chimpanzee. He is quirky and fun, always keeping us on our toes (quite literally) with games of chase filled with bunny hops. He also loves to be tickled with a long-handled spoon, and will come to insist he be involved if you dare tickle someone else in his presence. He is a box enthusiast, and can often be found sitting inside even the smallest of boxes. He doesn’t like to get his feet dirty, and while he prefers to be served his meals in the greenhouses, he will almost always bring something with him to sit on so his feet aren’t on the ground (this could be rolling up a large ball to sit on, pulling up a box to sit in, or even perching on top of a single page from one of Cy’s magazines). He enjoys spending time out on The Bray, and in the quiet moments of the day can often be found grooming with his friend Terry. While he is not the first one you’d think of as a protector for his group (that would be Cy!), I still think of him as such, but perhaps in less obvious ways. He is there to destroy a magazine for Cy if one of the pictures is scaring him, and the first one to spit on caregivers in defense of his friends when we do anything he perceives as weird (such as laser therapy for wounds). We are so lucky to get to know and love Gordo! I’m linking a past blog video of one of my favorite Gordo memories here, in case you need more Gordo in your day.

Gordo’s birthday was filled with some of his favorite things…boxes, LOTS of smoothies, and mangoes. Many thanks to Paulette Wrisley for sponsoring Gordo’s birthday today! Enjoy the many faces of Gordo enjoying his birthday mangoes!

We went with a Christmas in July theme thanks to a recent donation of wrapping paper from one of our generous donors. We wrapped Gordo’s boxes with wrapping paper, and he (and his friends) enjoyed opening their gifts.

Terry with his present haul.

Rayne with her box.

Lucky watches Rayne open her box.

Jamie’s group enjoyed celebrating Gordo’s birthday as well with a lunch forage consisting of lots of tiny smoothies, pineapple, cherries, sugar snap peas, mini peppers, and grape tomatoes. Foxie was the first one out on Young’s Hill and snagged a smoothie for herself!

Foxie on the move with a doll in one hand, and a cherry stem in her mouth.

Burrito and Foxie on the Hill.

Burrito with a tiny smoothie.

Filed Under: Burrito, Forage, Foxie, Gordo, Lucky, Party, Rayne, Sanctuary, Terry, The Bray, Young's Hill Tagged With: birthday, Bray, Burrito, forage, Foxie, Gordo, Lucky, Rayne, Terry, tiny smoothies, young's hill

Happy Birthday, Human Dave & Chimpanzee Gordo!

July 19, 2025 by Katelyn

Many thanks to Terry and Mike Stockdale for continuing to sponsor a day of sanctuary in celebration of Dave and Gordo on their shared special day!

“We would like to again sponsor July 19th in honor of our son Dave and his birthday buddy Gordo.We would also like to welcome Courageous George to sanctuary. His bravery and smile are heart-warming!

Happy Birthday, Dave, from all of us here at the sanctuary! Thanks for sharing your celebration with Gordo!

Gordo is turning 37 today and of course party preparation is underway, so be sure to tune in later today to join us in the celebration.

Happy Birthday, Gordo! We love you so much!!

And of course Gordo wouldn’t be Gordo without engaging in one of his favorite pastimes:

Gordo and Rayne on the Bray:

Filed Under: Gordo, Sanctuary, Sponsor-a-day

A Day on the Bray with George

July 18, 2025 by Sabrina

Today’s blog features a video from George’s big adventure on the Bray yesterday. He showed a ton of courage, making it all the way to the top—twice!—to visit Chad, who was keeping an eye on him. Plus, George got a surprise visit from across the way, since Negra decided to hang out in the greenhouse instead of heading inside with her group. Enjoy!
Bonus photos-
George looking majestic out on the Bray:
George stopping by the chute to visit caregiver Sabrina:
George showing off his relaxed, droopy lip:

Filed Under: George, Sanctuary, The Bray Tagged With: george

Who’s That Boy? …It’s George!

July 17, 2025 by Jenna

Today, George got to explore The Bray again! For those unfamiliar, The Bray is one of our two 2-acre outdoor habitats, which is open-top and surrounded by electric fencing.

Fortunately, both times so far, George has explored The Bray with no issues! He acts like he’s been doing it for months now, with little arousal. As you can see in some pictures, George has a droopy lip, which tells us he is relaxed and content out there.

I can’t believe George has been at CSNW for two months already! Having George meet other chimps is the next thing on our to-do list. Chimp introductions are a slow, intricate process that requires lots of planning and care.

George out on The Bray:

George jumping while displaying:

Filed Under: George, The Bray Tagged With: george explores the bray

A Sanctuary Supper

July 16, 2025 by Kelsi

Let’s have dinner with Negra!

Negra enjoys the simple things in life: the feeling of warm sunshine, a good blanket nest, and a simple nightbag mix. Negra prefers to enjoy her nightbag somewhere quiet, such as her nest or a corner of the green house, where she can peacefully unwrap her bag slowly, savoring each bite with calm contentment.

Spending time with Negra is a gentle reminder to slow down and appreciate the small, quiet joys in life. I hope you enjoy this video!

Bonus photo series of George try to groom me while I try to get a picture of him:

 

 

 

Filed Under: George, Latest Videos, Negra, Sanctuary Tagged With: Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, george, Negra, Sanctuary

Giant Chunk of Frozen Pureed Watermelon

July 15, 2025 by Krissy Brasfield

Pineapple juice pool, floating gatorade ice treats, and a giant chunk of frozen pureed watermelon.  A beautiful late spring, practically summer day.  All of your friends together in a spacious greenhouse, feeling the gentle breeze on your face, admiring the stunning view.

What a perfectly delightful afternoon!

At least it WAS perfect.  Until Rayne tried moving in on MY prized possession, that giant chunk of frozen pureed watermelon.

Sincerely,

Terry

Filed Under: Chimpanzee, Cy, Dora, Enrichment, Gordo, Rayne, Terry Tagged With: Cy, dora, gatorade pool, Gordo, greenhouse, ice treats, Rayne, summer, Terry

World Chimpanzee Day Forage

July 14, 2025 by J.B.

We celebrated World Chimpanzee Day with a forage that included young coconuts in their husks—a chimp favorite! In this video, we follow Burrito, Foxie, and Jamie as they gather their bounties, attempt to crack them open, and try to keep them from getting stolen. See if you can spot some examples of reaching – what do you think the chimps are saying with their extended arms?

Filed Under: Burrito, Forage, Foxie, Intelligence, Jamie, Latest Videos, Party, Tool Use Tagged With: chimpanzee, coconut, forage, northwest, rescue, Sanctuary, tool use

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Cle Elum, WA 98922
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