Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Diana

3 Years of Neggie

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We’ll be celebrating Negra’s birthday on Monday in addition to the anniversary of the arrival of the Cle Elum Seven to the sanctuary.

We’re not sure of her exact age, but records indicate Negra was captured in Africa some time between 1969 and 1973. She spent many, many years as a biomedical research test subject.

She has won many hearts as the “Queen” of the Cle Elum Seven, and the photos below (just a few of my favorites) show why:

Negra in the cage on the transport truck 3 years ago today:

Negra in transport cage

Negra looking in mirror

classic Negra

Negra and Missy playing

Negra sleeping outside

Negra red blanket over shoulders

Negra sleep close-up outside

Negra protruding lip sleep

Negra

Negra checking out view

Negra gazing outside

grooming party

Negra mouth full of celery

Negra rice cake face

Negra eating night bag

Negra happy baby pose

Negra lay down leg up pointed toe

Negra eating lilacs

Negra close up

Thanks again – for all of your support in giving Negra a sanctuary life!

220 posts adopted on this significant day

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Exactly three years ago today, the Cle Elum Seven chimpanzees left their laboratory lives behind and began the journey to the sanctuary.

And today we reached our 3rd anniversary fundraising goal – all 220 fence posts on Young’s Hill have been adopted. We have a LOT to celebrate!

The seven individuals we have cared for these past three years have changed and grown so much, and we’ve been so happy to be able to chronicle these transformations.

As amazed and in awe of the Cle Elum Seven as we are, we are equally amazed by the supporters of this organization.

We are all so grateful to you – the people who read the blog, connect with us on Facebook, send donations, attend events, volunteer, and write emails and letters on behalf of great apes.

There would be no Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest without you.

Here’s the first chimpanzee photo we posted on this blog, taken from this June 10, 2010 blog post.

Jody in her transport cage on the way to sanctuary:

Jody in transport cage in trailer 6-10-08

and here are just a few of my favorite photos of Jody over the last few years:

Jody in profile

jody holding feet

jody smelling rose

jody blue paper

jody with stuffed dog

jody sandbox eyes closed

jody after 4 months

jody logo

 

Fence posts and other excitement on the hill

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Thanks to a great volunteer crew yesterday, all but 15 of the remaining posts on Young’s Hill are in place!

This was not easy work because we had some rain over the last few weeks which filled up the holes, so yesterday’s volunteers, Kim S., Rita, Kim C., Donna, Kelly, and Bill, were not afraid to get dirty. I asked Kim S. how she managed to get dirt on her shoulders and found out it was because she was head-first in the 4-foot holes bailing water out.

Speaking of fence posts, there are only 26 posts left to “adopt” – check out all of the wonderful fence post plaque inscriptions on our 3rd Anniversary Fundraising page. Thanks to everyone who has joined in on this fundraising campaign!

In other really exciting news, the bamboo on the hill is shooting!!

I promised J.B. I would help him set the remaining 15 posts today, so I had better get out there, but here are some photos I took last night on hill:

Almost all of the fence posts in:

almost all fence posts

fence post gap front

sunset on Young’s Hill:
sunset on youngs hill

bamboo shoot (a bit out of focus):
bamboo shoot

Fighting and Making Up

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Fights are really common among chimpanzees. Being a caregiver you get used to the intense screaming, which often occurs even during fights with no contact between participants. You also know by the sounds when things have escalated. There was a conflict about a week ago which resulted in some minor bite wounds between Foxie and Burrito. After a brief squabble this afternoon, this pair spent a lot of time grooming each other.

The wounds were the initial focus of the grooming – chimps will closely inspect injuries on themselves and each other and clean them up by removing debris. So, grooming is good for their physical health. It’s also important for the social health of the group. The act of grooming is the chimpanzee way of healing and strengthening bonds. (For more on fighting and making up, see also J.B.’s post Conflict and Reassurance with amazing photos of a reassurance hug between Burrito and Foxie from May 4th).

Burrito
Burrito

Foxie

Foxie

 

Foxie grooming Burrito

Foxie and Burrito groom

 

Foxie groom burrito

 

sometimes grooming turns into playing – another great way to strengthen social bonds

Foxie and Burrito groom and play

Foxie hand Burrito's mouth

 

Young’s Hill & 3rd Anniversary Fundraising update

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There are still 104 posts on Young’s Hill available for “adoption.”

I know everyone who follows the blog wants to be a part of Young’s Hill and this is your chance! For just $50 you’ll get an engraved plaque with your name, a dedication or message of your choice on your fence post.

Check out the plaques so far on our 3rd Anniversary Fundraising page.

plaques (small)

We’ve been making a lot of progress on the hill habitat construction thanks to volunteers. J.B. would love to hear from you if you want to know more about volunteering. Email him: [email protected].

Here are a few photos taken by volunteers Audrey Spencer and Lynn Williamson who braved the wet and cold weather last Saturday to help make the dream of Young’s Hill a reality:

 

Audrey making sure the fence post is level (this could be your post!) while Jim and Lucas work in the background:

Audrey Jim Lucas fence posts

 

Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest founder Keith holds a post steady as volunteers Lynn and Jim fill the hole:

Keith Jim Lynn fence post

 

The weather got progressively worse as the day went on. We have some dedicated volunteers! Here’s J.B. on the tractor with Keith, Lucas, Jim and Andy adding more fill to a fence post hole.

Andy Jim Lucas Keith JB fence post construction

Thanks so much to everyone who has helped with this project!

Be part of Young’s Hill!

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I’m guessing most people who are reading this are also signed up for our e-newsletter and hopefully you also follow us on Facebook, so you already know about our 3rd anniversary fundraising and your chance to be a permanent part of the Young’s Hill habitat.

For a donation of just $50, you’ll get an engraved plaque with your custom message – your name, a dedication, a favorite quote – whatever you like! It’s a unique gift idea, so you should probably think about donating for several posts.

Our goal is to have all 220 posts “adopted” by our 3rd Anniversary (and Negra’s honorary birthday) on June 13th. As I type this, we’re up to 76 posts adopted. A couple of our board members adopted a good chunk of those this morning!

So, after just two days, we’ve reached 35% of our goal.

Thanks to all who were the first to donate! If you haven’t already, get your post plaque today.

Learn more about our plans on the Young’s Hill FAQ page.

Negra thinks it would be great to reach our goal early.