What an entirely delightful day everyone had! Thanks to everyone who made it such a special celebration.
We will always miss Jody, and she will forever be a part of the heart of what it means to us to provide sanctuary.
Archives for May 10, 2026
In honor of Jody’s birthday, from Tobin
Many thanks to Tobin for sponsoring today’s second day of sanctuary in honor of beautiful Jody!
“In honor of Jody’s birthday and in celebration of her life, I have invited the readers of the CSNW blog as well as Jody’s caretaker friends to share a favorite memory of her. For myself, it is difficult to choose just one recollection. However, I remember a video from 2.6.2018 where Mama Jo, apparently sensing that Neggie had wandered outside without a proper winter coat, went out to corral her friend back indoors into the warmth. Something about that short video – least of all Jody’s drooping lower lip and elf ears – seems to demonstrate what a conscientious den mother she was. I welcome other people share a fond memory of our dear friend. – Tobin”
Jody and Negra:
Jody with cattails and roses:
Jody leading Missy, Annie, Burrito, and Foxie around the perimeter:
Jody and her friends, the original “Cle Elum 7”, who first arrived at the sanctuary:
In memory of sweet Jody
Thank you so much to Lucinda Almy-Hamilton for so graciously sponsoring an annual day of sanctuary in memory of Jody. And our first of two sponsor a days in her honor.
We celebrated Jody’s honorary birthday on Mother’s Day in honor of her innate mothering nature with her group members, and in honor of the nine children she gave birth to while in biomedical research and was never allowed to raise. Jody spent fifteen years in sanctuary before passing away from an unexpected health crisis on April 30, 2023. Jody was among the first seven chimpanzees to call the sanctuary home and she remains an integral part of all our lives and all we do here. We miss and celebrate her every single day. Lucinda shared this special message about today:
“Jody’s passing was highly significant for me and has remained in my heart ever since. I so appreciated the “farewell” video; the others in the “family” had the opportunity to say goodbye. I watch that video many times and it still makes me cry. I showed it to my anthropology classes highlighting the beautiful sentience of our fellow primates.”
(*Trigger warning: For our newer followers, or those who haven’t had the opportunity yet, if you choose to watch Jody’s farewell video linked above please note J.B.’s note at the beginning of the post. It’s an immense privilege to witness her family saying goodbye to her, but as you might imagine, it’s also very moving and emotional to see. Just as life is, we hold so many emotions at the same time).
It means so much to us, Lucinda, that you continue to hold Jody in your heart and share her and her family with your students. We couldn’t hope for more in sharing the chimpanzees lives through our daily blog.
Our Mother’s Day celebration preparation is under way in the chimp house so there will be more beauty and joy to come today, please join us in celebrating all of our extraordinary residents and their lives today.
Happy Birthday, beautiful Jo, Happy Mother’s Day. We love you so!
Jody and Missy:
Jody was a master forager and loved nothing more than hauling in as much as she could carry from both forages and wild growing browse on Young’s Hill:
Burrito and Jody:
She was also our reigning “Pumpkin Thief” at Jamie’s birthday (Jamieween) celebrations:
Foxie and Jody, such dear friends:
Jody enjoying one of her zillions of nests:
