Today has been another busy day at the sanctuary, so I’m going to forego my usual style in favor of something simple and brief.
I took some photographs with my phone today in order to show you all what it takes to keep everything clean, organized, and functioning around here. Our care staff has to complete many tasks each day, in addition to special projects and weekly chores, and these images show some of those.
One ongoing project has been the weatherization of the new greenhouses. J.B. has been working around the clock (with some help from special project volunteer Adam) to get the panels secured to the outside of these massive outdoor enclosures. The results are already remarkable! The panels will keep the area warm by radiating sunlight inward and shielding the chimps from the winds of winter, so we’re getting them done just in time.
Meanwhile, inside the building, the rest of the team was busy preparing meals, enrichment and meds; shifting and performing safety checks; cleaning all the enclosures; washing heaps of dirty blankets, dishes and chimp toys; and processing a produce delivery that arrived this morning.
It may look like a chaotic mess throughout the day, but things are looking ship-shape right now as I’m closing up the building for the evening.
We occasionally remind people that caregiving for chimps isn’t all fun and games, but sometimes it takes a chimp-less blog post to sell that concept.
Have a great week, everyone!
Kathy B says
Thank you to all of you and for all of the hard work that you do for all of the chimps and the cattle :heart_eyes::purple_heart:
Anthony says
Thanks, Kathy!
Nancy D says
A heartfelt thank you to all the staff who keep everything humming at the Sanctuary…not always an easy job. I’m sure the chimps will appreciate their warm greenhouses, they look beautiful.
Anthony says
The chimps are welcome, Nancy! 😉
tom austin says
those Dudes and Dudettes eat healthier than I do……………..
Francoise says
True dat!
Anthony says
Same here!
Paulette says
just so you know Anthony, I do very often think of all the hard work behind the scenes. we fall in love with the chimps by living vicariously through the blog, and that is very important in order to garner the critical support it takes to keep sanctuary. but I never forget the videos I’ve seen from several sanctuaries of the realities of keeping it all going. my truly heartfelt gratitude for your (the whole team) enduring commitment is forever yours. I don’t forget.
Anthony says
You’re amazing, Paulette! Thanks again for all your support!
Caroline David says
All of your hard work and dedication is greatly appreciated by the Chimpanzees, Bovines, Canines and Humans alike. There is definitely alot to make CSNW operate smoothly. As you say it isn’t all fun and games. Sure do love that you are helping the Chimpanzees live the best life possible at the Santuary.
Anthony says
Thank you, Caroline!
nancyt says
Great photos! Feel like I’m part of thecrew! Watch out for those pomegranates! They leave quite a stain for all the laundry you do- use lots of gloves& newspaper. Thank you all for your hard work keeping the chimps free from germs & giving them a warm,loving home. . You are the BEST!! .Love the pumkin shirt:jack_o_lantern:
Anthony says
They love the pomegranates but they do stain all our cutting boards! 🙂
I’ll tell Sam that you appreciated her pumpkin scrubs!
Rosalie Allen says
Sincere thanks for your faithful work and care?
Anthony says
Thanks, Rosalie!
dennis lorton says
A good reminder of all that goes on to keep this beautiful sanctuary going!!
Anthony says
You know it, Dennis! 🙂
Judy says
I am sure we only get a glimpse of the monumental task list which is a pivotal part of the well oiled machine that is CSNW . . even when the blog is solely devoted to painting the picture. Thank you for this Anthony AND THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU!
Anthony says
Thank YOU, Judy!
Mary Garripoli says
You all do such a great job. on behalf of the chimps, I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart ?.
Anthony says
Thanks, Mary!
John Joseph O'Brien says
TRuly a caring people. Thank you. I do have to ask, when does the staff get to eat? If we don’t take care of ourselves, how can we care for others?
Anthony says
Yes, John; Human lunch is important to us, too. Relative to other animal care and veterinary facilities, we have a relatively flexible break policy. We take breaks for lunch, usually right after the chimps get theirs, and we also tend to take bathroom, snack and coffee breaks between cleaning enclosures.
I may also take extra breaks on Sundays in order to check the performance of my fantasy football team… Don’t tell Anna!
Kathleen says
I’m the first to gush over photos, videos, and stories about those who call CSNW their home. But in every photo and story I can’t help but notice the impeccable attention to detail in everything each of you do. Day in and day out. The chimp house always looks spotless, even with enrichment and meals scattered about, the building sparkles. As do the chimpanzees and bovines. They literally glow with a healthy sparkle, a true testament to your loving care. And then there’s the construction of everything like the greenhouse that will be accessible all year round, the silhouette painting details, the arching chute, the foot boxes, hydraulic doors, and all of the fun climbing structures on Young’s Hill, and firehose hammocks & cubes, and handmade raisin boards, and on and on and on.
Please know that I see and appreciate your efforts even if I don’t mention it enough. I especially appreciate the time spent each day to create a post for the daily blog, time spent that takes you away from caring for the chimps. I have no idea how you do it all! Day in and day out, with smiles on your faces and love in your hearts for those you help. It’s beyond admirable. And I know the chimps and bovines see it and feel it too. And that’s what it’s all about.
Thank you everyone.
Anthony says
The thoughtful intent behind each protocol is one of the reasons why I chose to work at CSNW!
As always, we appreciate your praise, Kathleen!
Kim Harris says
Anytime I comment on a post, I try to acknowledge all of the hard work and dedication that all of you put in every single day. The endless laundry, cleaning and maintenance required isn’t for the feint of heart. I am in awe of each of you for your commitment to the wellbeing of the chimps and bovines and all of the hard work that you put in every day, without fail. Every pic or video, I notice the chimps thick and shiny hair. The condition of their hair puts a spotlight on how healthy and happy they are. Their hair literally reflects the work, love and care they receive every single day. Thank you for doing all you do.
Anthony says
Thank you, Kim! I’ll let the chimps know that you complimented their shiny hair. 🙂
Kim Harris says
I meant to mention the work JB and Adam are doing with the greenhouses. I know that’s a lot of work because those greenhouses are huge! And awesome! And spectacular!
Anthony says
We’re so lucky to have Adam (our first “Cattle Cadet”) helping J.B. out!
Elaine Reininger says
So glad you did a blog on all the duties performed by dedicated caretakers. You left out picking up the poo (yuk). It’s an incredible amount of work done by very few and you should have reminded your readers that your interns and volunteers were cut during the pandemic and all that work that they use to help out with falls on those of you who are left.
Anthony says
Haha, I’ll do a post about fecal material at some point but I didn’t want to go overboard for this one!
As you said, our pandemic restrictions have been a challenge but I’m really proud of how everyone has come together to fill in all the roles! Even with the extra hours cleaning and choring, we’ve somehow managed to keep all our other responsibilities and projects in order! Hopefully, the public health situation improves so we can start to invite more volunteers back in a safe and sustainable way. I miss the weekly rotation of friendly faces and I’m sure so many of them miss the chimps!
Cara says
thank you all!
Anthony says
Thanks, Cara!
Beth M says
The care you provide, both physical and emotional, is truly a labor of love!