What a year it’s been! I think as humans we like to keep time within tidy borders. Days, weeks, months, seasons, years. The steadiness of knowing, generally, what’s to come, having wonderful things to look forward to, connecting ourselves with somethings and someones. It helps to strike a comforting and familiar balance to the unpredictable and unknown side of life. It’s probably not just us humans who feel that way. Most of us thrive within a sense of safety and security. It’s those very things that often allow most living beings the freedom for our unique expressions and authenticity to flourish within a sense of belonging.
Back at the start of this year, I can tell you that none of us expected that we’d be welcoming another chimpanzee home. I’d guess that our newest family member, George, couldn’t have imagined a life different than the one he’d been living for so long either. And yet, despite what must often feel like uncertainty amid so many new experiences (how could it not?), George continues to amaze us and do his very best to willingly show up for it all. And for us, well, it’s only been months, but how’d we ever live without him in our lives?
None of the beautiful individuals who call the sanctuary home has a (known to us) December birthday to celebrate. But in looking over the fleeting year, I can’t help but look over the flow of all the minutes of their lives, in awe. I’m not sure if the chimpanzees or bovines dwell on days that were particularly exciting or were particularly horrible. On what they’ve gained, or who they’ve lost. If they “pat” themselves on the back for leaping into something new with bravery, or standing up for themselves or someone else, even when it’s risky to do so. If they think about times when their bodies moved with more ease, or they breathe a sigh of relief from thinking about more ease in their lives now. I’m not in their heads, but this isn’t to say I don’t observe moods or behaviors that would correspond with such thoughts and memories. I do, absolutely. But chimpanzees in particular seem adept at moving through their lives more often in the present. Almost certainly better than we humans do.
Each of these extraordinary individuals is a wondrous story of a life woven together by ups, downs, sideways, miracles, devastation, joys, pain, loss, love…all the things that life is for every living being. I’ve never believed non-human animals don’t have a voice. We’re just the lucky ones who get to hear them, and share them, when we listen to their language.
Thank you for helping to give each one of them the chance to be heard, in their own telling. Through every moment following their lives on our blog or social media, donating your money, in-kind gifts, and time, attending our events, showing up over and over again with such dedication for our fundraisers, keeping an eye out for necessities like dolls and boots and magazines and Lucy Bonobo books, spending your time getting to know them and seeing them for the remarkable people they are, and all, somehow with such unfailing kindness and support…you are also woven into their stories. We could never thank you enough for that.
Annie:
Betsy:
Burrito:
Cy:
Dora:
Foxie:
George:
Gordo:
Honey B:
Honey:
Jamie:
Jody, in memory, always:
Lucky:
Mave:
Meredith:
Missy:
Negra:
Nutmeg, Betsy’s forever baby boy who is always missed:
Rayne:
Terry:
Willy B:
Though we aren’t celebrating any resident birthdays this month, we’re definitely celebrating the birthday of Angie (the 1st), Foxie’s beautiful daughter who resides at Save the Chimps in Florida! Angie is turning 38 on December 21st (photo courtesy of Save the Chimps):
In other December news, Giving Tuesday is tomorrow, December 2nd! (To all of you who have been able to donate so far, THANK YOU!). And as we look ahead to the next phase of expansion of the sanctuary for the chimpanzees, cows, and humans alike, you can donate and/or learn more about a special chance for all donors and non-donors alike to win something very special (you won’t want to miss this!) on our Giving Tuesday donation page:
“This year, you helped us welcome George to sanctuary. Now we’re building for the future, starting in the spring with a support building needed to care for a growing sanctuary. Your *matched* gift today helps us take the next step! BONUS: All donors are automatically entered to win a custom chimpanzee sweater featuring the CSNW chimpanzee of their choice! Donors and non-donors have an equal chance of winning the custom sweater. Non-donors can enter here. Open to U.S. residents 18 and older. Entries must be received by 11:59pm PT on Tuesday, December 2, 2025. Winner will be drawn Wednesday, December 3 at 9am PT and notified by email. Sponsored by Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest.”
Happy holidays and wintering (or summering) ahead, friends, and whether you celebrate in any way or not, thank you again for being here with us through all the ups, downs, and sideways that time brings, and for all that you make possible in the chimpanzees’ and bovines’ lives. And in all of our lives. We hope you’re celebrating that, and all your gracious hearts. We sure are.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful blog! Keeping up. with the CSNW residents everyday is such a delight and being even a small part of this incredible group is a true joy. Here’s to the year ahead!:wink:
It really is. Always a bright spot in my day.
We appreciate you, Rosalie. <3
Thank you for the photos of every resident! Angie sure looks a lot like her Mom!
Cindee, yes! There are photos in which they look like twins! <3
What a sweet blog post. I read up on Angie the 1st and I can’t help but wonder why Angie isn’t with her mother now? It seems so sad.
Hi Gina, thanks for your question! It is very sad and there are many factors that play into the answer. Foxie and all of the females in our original group of seven, with the exception of Jamie, were all used as “breeders” (lab term) while in biomedical research. They each had multiple babies who were typically taken from them shortly after birth to be hand-raised in the lab nurseries until they were old enough to be placed in research protocols themselves. It was one of the devastating realities for most chimpanzees used in biomedical research and sadly, now as adults, they wouldn’t know one another having had only hours together before being separated. Between the decades it took for the use of chimpanzees in biomedical research to end, numerous labs, and very limited space in the small number of sanctuaries which exist, it was impossible to keep families together. That said, so many of the chimpanzees are related in one way or another and there are family members who have ended up at the same sanctuary, sometimes “re-united” in the same group. But that doesn’t mean they recognize each other, or even get along as the individuals they are. We very unexpectedly ended up being able to welcome Honey B, Missy’s daughter, to the sanctuary when Wildlife Waystation in CA closed. Though we tried to integrate Honey B’s group with Missy’s group, it was ultimately *very* unsuccessful. Nothing will ever make what they went through okay, and we’re so thankful when we get the rare opportunity of knowing that their adult children are safe and cared for in their own sanctuary homes and families, especially when we get to follow their lives.
I live the sweater idea
love
They’re really nice! Be sure to sign up, Linda! 🙂
Always love your writing Katelyn <3
Love love love all the photos!
Thank you, Paulette! We appreciate all you do for all of us. <3
Yes! Lovely post, and thanks for all the great photos, and especially thanks for including beautiful Jody.
Well, I entered the contest, but there was no indication that it went through- should there have been?
Hi Mo, you won’t receive a notification upon entering the contest, but we do have you on the list! Thanks for checking and good luck! 🙂
You write so beautifully Katelyn. Thank you for those insightful words and amazing photos. Thank you all of you for everything that you do each day. Hugs to you all.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Arlene, we appreciate you both!
Beautiful message, Katelyn. Also gone but still in our hearts is Betsy’s baby boy, Nutmeg. .
Nutmeg!! Marcie, thank you so much for thinking of that sweet guy. I cannot believe I somehow missed putting his photo in, now rectified, so I’m sure thankful you mentioned him. <3 He is sure is missed.
What a perfect ending to the year! Thank you for kicking off every month by filling us with anticipation for all the reasons to celebrate sanctuary within each month. I love seeing a photo of everyone, all lined up before us. I guess it just proves that every day is a celebration of beautiful their lives!
Heartwarming blog. Was happy to see George among the residents! Thank you for remembering Jody. Happy December CSNW! ?:adult:?:christmas_tree::christmas_tree:
Katelyn, thank you for your beautiful post (and those amazing photos) of all the residents. Your words are so beautiful …and the images of all, just so inspiring. Thank you!