Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

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Archives for May 2026

Hello Friend. Perhaps You’d Like to Share Your Tomatoes?

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I love watching subtle communication between chimpanzees and the social roles on display.

Missy is a socially savvy chimpanzee, and this video shows that. Though Negra is not physically dominant, particularly now that she is less mobile, she remains the Queen, and Missy is keenly aware and respectful of the social rules of her group. 

This exchange reminded me of an instance, many years ago, when Missy was eating corn on the cob. Negra reached out her hand and grimaced towards Missy, and Missy calmly put the ear of corn in Negra’s hand.  I think I put photos of it on the blog. I did a quick search and didn’t find the post. I’ve got a pair of brand-new Burrito socks as a prize for the first person who finds the post. It would probably be from 2008 or 2009.

Grooming Train

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Grooming is so important in chimpanzee social groups.

Grooming is used to build and strengthen relationships, to reconcile after conflicts, and to reinforce the social hierarchy.

While George is still not comfortable grooming his group mates, he often finds himself in the middle of grooming trains.

We all look forward to the day that George returns the favor, and starts grooming his group mates.

In the meantime, his new family will continue to include him in this important ritual.

George is such a lucky guy!

Afternoon Fun with Gordo and George

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We recently celebrated George’s first anniversary of sanctuary living! From our first blog announcing his arrival, his first ventures into the chute then the greenhouse and finally the Bray, meeting new friends for the first time (his now group-mates Cy, Terry, Rayne, Gordo, Lucky, and Dora, as well as Mave and Willy B), then living full time in his new group and navigating the social intricacies of chimpanzee life, mastering the art of nest building, his first sanctuary Christmas, and his first birthday in sanctuary, George has accomplished so much in his short time here, and there’s so much more to come!

It has been incredibly rewarding to watch him build relationships with other chimps throughout the introduction process, and even more rewarding to watch him live life within a social group. To say he and his progress have impressed us would be an understatement. Cy and Rayne have been his greatest teachers, as we had hoped an anticipated before beginning the introduction process. What was unexpected, but has been the best surprise, was his fast friendship with Gordo. In today’s video, come along for an afternoon of fun with Gordo and George!

Feels like summer

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We are a month out from the actual first day of summer but this afternoon feels like a beautiful preview of what’s to come. Here are just a few of today’s summer-like moments.

Annie satisfyingly folding her feet together while she lounges in the greenhouse:

Rayne in explore mode on the Bray:

Gordo, observing:

Cy, the perpetual leader:

While this isn’t the best photo, I caught Terry and Cy grooming in the deep shade of their newly built tower. I’m quite certain this platform will be a popular hangout spot to escape the impending summer sun.

The Different Faces of Jamie

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If I am honest the chimps were off doing chimp things today, leaving me empty handed for a blog! However, as I was pondering about what to write this blog about, I kept thinking about my favorite photos of the chimps. I thought I might share some of my favorites! Here is the thing though, I got really caught up looking at photos of Jamie and couldn’t pick one. So this actually just became a photo blog of Jamie. Jamie is such a complex individual. She is rigid and domineering at times, but can also be gentle and silly. It is fascinating to see how other caregivers are able to capture who Jamie is through their lens. These photos only scratch the surface of who Jamie is, but I hope you enjoy!

One of my favorite pictures of Jamie was taken by Chad. Jamie looking up to the sky.

Jamie by Jenna

Jamie by JB

Jamie by Katelyn

Jamie by Kelsi

 

Why HOOT!?

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If you are on our physical mailing list, you should have received a Save the Date announcement for HOOT! 2026 in the last week or so.

All the information contained in the postcard about this exciting event is below. But first, I thought I’d talk about the name HOOT!

For those who may not know, chimpanzees make a vocalization called a pant-hoot, often when they are excited. With lips trumpeted, they vocalize on both the inhale and the exhale, building to a crescendo that ends in a scream. It’s really their signature vocalization, and pant-hoots tend to be contagious. Here’s a throwback video from 2011 with a montage of pant-hoots from Negra, Jamie, and Foxie.

That’s why our signature event has the name HOOT! and why Co-Director J.B. traditionally kicks things off by leading a pant-hoot at the beginning of the event.

So, start practicing now!

It contained this basic information:

HOOT! is coming to you on Friday, October 2, 2026 and we want you there whether you’re joining in person in Seattle or tuning in from your living room.

Get full event details, purchase tickets, and RSVP now here: hoot2026.afrogs.org

 

Join us in one of two ways:

TOGETHER AT BLOCK 41

115 Bell St, Seattle, WA

Doors open at 5PM | Program begins at 6:30PM

Tickets required to attend. hoot2026.afrogs.org

 

TOGETHER ONLINE

Broadcast begins at 6:30PM Pacific

Free to RSVP and tune in from home. hoot2026.afrogs.org

 

Whether you’re joining us in person or tuning in from home, HOOT! is your invitation to celebrate the community that keeps Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest thriving.

Let’s HOOT! together!

 

WE WANT YOUR INPUT!

This year, YOU get to help choose which chimpanzee will be featured on the sweater for the raffle drawing. Vote here: bit.ly/csnwpoll

 

Big thanks to Kathleen Corby for designing the logo and materials for HOOT! once again this year! Pant-hoots to Kathleen!

The design came from a photo of George that I took that was not a technically good photo at all.

But it turned into a great design! I just love George’s profile while pant-hooting. I think it captures his excitement and the promise of things to come at the event. I hope you all can join us!

New Tower on the Bray

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In what’s become an annual tradition, CSNW Founder, Keith, brought a crew of friends out to build a new structure for the chimps. In just two days, the team was able to construct a new tower at the bottom of the Bray—close enough to the building for those chimps who don’t always like venturing farm from home, but high enough on the hill to get a great view of the valley. It was a fun weekend, and the chimps are already enjoying their new tower.

Many thanks to Keith and his crew and to all of our volunteers for enriching the chimps’ lives!