Wow. I can’t believe Annie is 39 today! It’s an honorary birthday, because we don’t know exactly when Annie was born. She was captured from Africa and used in biomedical testing for over three decades before coming to CSNW.
Today, we celebrated her freedom from the lab by throwing two parties—first in the greenhouse, we set up a small forage of peanuts and primate chow along with perfect party decor including a cupcake piñata. Then at lunch, volunteers Denice and Joel and myself set up a pretty cool forage on the hill… we dug holes in the ground and “planted” whole veggies—carrots with the greens, whole cabbage plants, beets, and some green onions (Annie’s favorite)!
I never tire of seeing all the chimps out on Young’s Hill, knowing that now they have the chance to have grass under their feet and sun on their backs. It’s something that Annie hadn’t experienced since her infancy before coming to the sanctuary. And today they not only got to forage for their food like chimps do in the wild, but they also got to “harvest” their own plants to enjoy!
Party #1 – in the greenhouse
Annie’s cupcake piñata:
Jamie grabbed it first:
But quickly moved on, leaving it for Annie!
Burrito found a sock with a box of nuts in it:
Party #2 – garden forage on Young’s Hill
Volunteers Denice and Joel helped with the planting:
Jody really loved the garden forage. She cleaned up! Here she’s carrying her bounty with her:
And enjoying cabbage in the greenhouse:
Foxie found some chow pieces to munch on:
Missy collected a bunch of food:
She enjoyed some on the shaky bridge, but then took the rest into the greenhouse with her. Negra didn’t come out for the forage (she was much more comfortable in her nest!) but Missy, being such a good friend, brought some carrots and green onions for Negra to enjoy. Negra also picked up some cabbage scraps, so she got basically the same food at the harvesters outside. Why should the Queen have to go work in the garden anyway, when others will just bring her the goods? 🙂
And Annie grabbed all the beets:
Which gave her “beet lipstick”
Help keep the birthday celebrations going on all week! FLOAT (For Love of All Things) has created a unique clothing design, and for this week only, for every sale they make they will donate $8 to Annie and everyone else at CSNW. Please share the site on Facebook and forward to your friends! The proceeds for CSNW only last until the end of the day on Sunday, September 15th. So hurry and get your shopping in now!
So thrilled Annie got the piñata! Loved the forage on the hill! I bet that was fun (and a lot of work) to set up! Great job you guys!!
Happy birthday beautiful girl! Love the beet lips-it’s your color. 🙂
OMG, these photos are priceless! Enjoying life! They deserve it! Happy birthday beautiful girl!
We’ve finally discovered Missy’s secret for her being a good runner: she loads up on her veggies like a good girl.
These pictures of Annie’s birthday really capture the spirit of a fun celebration! Thanks to all the humans who made it possible, and thanks to Burrito for being well, precious, as he looks into that mystery sock!! Clearly, “a good time was had by all’!
Happy Birthday Annie! What fun it is to watch you coming in to your own. I loved your beet lips!!
And thanks for all the pictures of the other chimps. As usual they look great! Looking at Missy’s first picture, her thighs are really looking muscular now that she is running all over Young’s Hill!
Happy birthday Annie, I’m so glad you have been honored with a B-day party for the past five years, I think you are even happier for it, enjoy, enjoy,enjoy,enjoy, you sweet , delicate little beauty,
Love you sweetheart,