To begin with on this first day of 2026, we are all in awe of you. We (and Jamie) have reached out with some extra big asks this last year and again and again, you’ve so graciously met us with your dedicated support. From your likes and shares to your donations in all shapes and sizes, you’ve made so much possible.
You’ve helped give George a new life. You’ve ensured all sixteen chimpanzees and three cows who call the sanctuary home have everything they need to live healthy, safe, and increasingly fulfilling lives. You’ve helped boss Jamie’s team of humans grow and our visions for the ever-growing sanctuary become reality after reality. I have to say, at a time of particular difficulty the world over, it’s one of the most hopeful, reassuring things I’ve witnessed. We celebrate the extraordinary individuals of this sanctuary home every day, and we also celebrate you, this extraordinary community.
On to the first of our January birthdays! New year, same age. Forever young, Burrito, is allegedly turning 43 on January 6th! While we caregivers often have to tag team through ruckus and rowdy games of chase with him, he alone outlasts us all. How??
The more one comes to know chimpanzees in any capacity, the more one can only be completely astonished by their seemingly innate capacity for resilience. If you’ve followed us for a while, you’ll be well aware that in the past handful of years alone, Burrito has overcome multiple events that would have rocked any human’s world (major surgery for life-threatening injuries after a major fight, and rattlesnake bites, x2). They did rock our human worlds. And we’ve written of it many times here, but while things were incredibly intense and touch and go at times for him, he seems to have come back from each one even more imbued with the superpower that resides in his endlessly exuberant spirit. As if nothing ever happened. And that says nothing of his years as a pet and in biomedical research before coming to sanctuary. Nor does it speak to his many years now of being treated for heart disease. Hard to believe, isn’t it?
And yet here we are. This wildly joyful, beloved chimpanzee guy, buoying our hearts along in his wake every day. And too, all those times you might want to proverbially tip your meds cup, spit a gallon of water in the unsuspecting humans’ faces, chomp down unnecessarily hard on a carrot while staring at someone with a that-could-be-your-finger kinda look, charge the caging and kick it within inches of someones face and watch them jump, or shake your fist and grunt salty lingo because the humans aren’t turning off the light and it’s your bedtime? Burrito says, “Do it!” That too, is part of the medicine. The living. His reminding us all, perhaps, of our own innate capacities to dust off and unfurl, again and again, living a little more fully as ourselves each time.
It’s what I love most about caring for chimpanzees in true sanctuary. While not the life they were meant to have, a life in which they are embraced and fully accepted for who they are in every moment. I mean, that’s the dream of us all, I think.
Burrito and his good friend, Foxie:
Snow snack!
For those of you newer to our blog, you’ll see that I like to honor and celebrate the birthdays of the now adult children of our resident mama chimpanzees who gave birth while in biomedical research. Though they were taken from their mamas all those years ago in the labs, there’s is a connection no less real. And the fact that we are able to follow their lives and see them thriving in their own sanctuary homes, sometimes even getting to meet and know them, is an immeasurable gift. The hopeful in spite of the unspeakable.
Negra’s beautiful daughter, Heidi, will be turning 42 on January 8th in her sanctuary home at Chimp Haven in Louisiana. We understand Miss Heidi holds a lot of her mom’s spunk and outspokenness and that really makes us smile. (Photo courtesy of staff caregiver, Sabrina!):
Her royal mama, Negra:
Jody’s handsome son, Bart, turns 34 on January 14th! (Photo courtesy of Save the Chimps).
Beautiful Jody:
On January 29th, beautiful queen that she is, Rayne, will turn 36!
I will never think of Rayne, or be in her presence, without being struck by how regal she is. As the most dominant female in her group, I would easily consider her alpha Cy’s right-hand gal. This doesn’t mean she doesn’t express differing opinions from him at times. If you’ve been following George’s introduction process to their group, I’m sure you’re all as grateful to her for her reassuring kindness, rather magical interpersonal skills, and self-assured leadership as we are.
Rayne’s generally a calm, gentle, and easy-going person, with her superpower being the innate ability to intuitively read the room and know just what those around her need, especially if someone is struggling with, or navigating new-to-them social skills. She’s most apt to meet someone where they’re at with immense patience, tolerance, and support. It’s incredible to watch her. And in that same breath, she’s not someone you’d want to mess with. George, thankfully – and miraculously, given his history – has been doing a great job learning this so far, in no small part thanks to a lot of additional guidance from our Person of the Year, Cy.
And just to pause a moment to take that in, here I’ve spoken of three more individuals who were all stolen from their families as infants, raised in entirely unnatural environments, and yet somehow, they manage to pull from some inner reservoir of resiliency to find their way. On their own, and with others. I cannot fathom that this is in any way easy for them. Yet there again is the miraculous dusting off and unfurling, over and over again.
Rayne on “Ryan’s Lookout”:
Happy 2026, all! Whether you’ve been here from day one, or just found us a day ago, thank you for being here. It’s easy this time of year to make time about milestones. And while that’s wonderful, I think it’s so often more about just showing up as best we can, sometimes with just a breath and a foot forward, holding space for all sides of the coin, sometimes for ourselves, and sometimes for each other. Just like the chimpanzees continue to show us every day.
Through your dedicated, compassionate presence, it never ceases to amaze us what you help make possible for every one of us in this community, non-human and human, alike.
2026. What’s gonna happen?! I bet Jamie has some ideas…<3
Wishing the happiest of birthdays to our mischievous boy, Burrito and wonderful Rayne. When I first found the site, it was Burrito who stole my heart…..those beautiful eyes and his unstoppable love of life. So many moments to treasure. And Rayne’s help with teaching George his lessons has been amazing……just the right mix of the stick and carrot approach! Does she still get her beauty treatments for dry skin….and help by rubbing it in??? More parties to organize for the caregivers……. I’m sure they can do it with their eyes closed by now, but they get rewarded by the happy grunts from everyone.
Can’t think of a better way to end the first day of the new year than sitting quietly and reading your post. And it’s perfect that your first celebration of each year is for Burrito on his birthday. Your carrot finger analogy was enlightening and took me by surprise! Glad to hear our silly, fun loving, goofball guy still has some of his old trouble maker in him. And then we celebrate Rayne. Brave Queen of the Bray. Best way to close out the month!
Love seeing dear Heidi and handsome Bart. Both resemble their mothers. Aren’t they both so fortunate to be living in sanctuary homes after all they’ve gone through. Thanks, Katelyn, for always including the extended family members in your posts.
Congratulations on reaching your goal! Just goes to show how much we all respect and love Boss Jamie. 😉
Actually, I was thinking that Bart looks a little bit like Terry!:laughing:
Happy new year to all at CSNW! There’s so much to celebrate this month! I can’t believe CSNW’s own Energizer Bunny, Bubba will be 43! Gorgeous Rayne will be 36. This past year has really shown how amazing Rayne is socially. I can’t wait to see her and George’s relationship continue to deepen.
Also a big happy birthday to Heidi and Bart! It’s so heartening to know that they also are enjoying the sanctuary life.
Another year!
I’ve said it before: Burrito is bedt celebrated on the 6th, bc it’s Epiphany, and that man is a gift!
That said, I was taken aback as Kathleen was, at the idea of a “thought could have been your finger” look on Bubba’s face! Can’t wait for pasta cam!
Magical Rayne…I think back to holding hands around the Gatorade pool, and just keep hope that she could still find some magic to reassure/teach Willy B the way she’s helping Georgie. Then there could be peace
Everyone stay warm-6 weeks and we’re through! They’ll fly by!
I wish to celebrate Cy, chimp of the year, along with the January birthday chimps snd all the staff of your wonderful ssnctuary. Thanks so much for your daily emails keeping us abreast of what is going on with the chimps. Very aporeciative of you!
So much love to all of you primates and bovines and critters and Sanctuary itself. Especially all of those who have what it takes to keep it going. Happy new year!
Thank you, Katelyn, for the lovely post. We look forward to all of the celebrating!! So happy for these incredible Chimps to be where they are now. Happy New Year to all of you.