Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Diana

A Special Gift for Jamie: Blundstone Boots

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This is definitely the way to Jamie’s heart.

When I reached out to Blundstone, I wasn’t really expecting a response. They must receive quite a bit of email, after all, but Anna McDonald responded almost immediately and very enthusiastically. She was so excited to learn that Jamie liked Blundstones (or, for those in the know, Blunnies).

I can attest to the quality of their footwear. I have never had a better pair of vegan boots.

Thank you, Blundstone!

P.S. Don’t you think J.B. should be a shoe model?

 

George settling in

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It continues to be fascinating and endearing as George gets used to living in a group of chimpanzees.

***Commercial interruption: we could use more Albertson’s gift cards! You can buy them from our Amazon wishlist or directly at Albertsons or Safeway to send to the sanctuary. This does relate to George. When he first came to the sanctuary in May, he was very thin. He gained weight quickly and got to a healthy body condition. Since the introduction process, though he’s eating well, he’s lost some of that weight he had gained, most likely nervous energy! We are boosting his calories in various ways, including purchasing plant-based protein shakes from our local Safeway stores, which is owned by Albertson’s now.***

This video might show you a side of Cy you haven’t seen much of in the past. Interestingly, when it was just he and George living as a duo, Cy didn’t do a whole lot of asserting of his dominance. Once we added more chimpanzees to the mix, he began to display more and took more opportunities to ensure that no one forgets his leadership role in the group.

George seems to be soaking up all the lessons he’s been given about chimpanzee social living.

There’s something about the image of them all sleeping near one another, as a family, that really warms my heart.

Nesting and Mall Walking

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We don’t get a ton of video of the chimpanzees actively nesting. I can’t decide which clips I like the most. Honey B and Rayne both crack me up. I love their playful confidence. And I was so pleased to watch from the security cameras George joining the morning mall walking!

I have an update on the Christmas deadline for that extra $40,000 toward our year-end fundraising. The deadline was extended by the Seattle donor, and, as I type this, we only need $494 to reach that $100,000 goal.

We’ve been receiving donations in the mail that I will also apply to the total, so pay close attention over the next few days!

We still have quite a ways to go to reach the full $200,000 goal by midnight on December 31, but I believe in the power of Jamie and her supporters.

Jamie

 

Sanctuary Community

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I’ve been thinking about you lately.

Yes, you!

As a blog reader, you are part of an amazing community of curious, caring, clever, and compassionate primates.

The community that has developed around the blog is very special.

It’s one of my favorite things about being a part of this sanctuary. I often look forward to reading blog comments as much as the blog posts themselves. I love hearing from people who are “silent” community members too.

Being the social primates that we are, having a community is important to us humans. Just as important as it is for our fellow non-human primates.

The idea that a human community has formed around the stories and care of a special non-human community is pretty cool.

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Like all primate communities, members join and leave, and the community shifts and adapts.

I have been thinking about this blog community and how to celebrate you more. How to bring us all together in other ways. How to inform you of community members who have passed on. How to celebrate you.

This season seems like the perfect time to ponder this, so please let me know if you have ideas.

As we look back on the year of CSNW, I wanted to share how much I value you. You bring inquiry, insights, and inspiration (I’m apparently into alliteration today) to the work that we do.

I can’t imagine this sanctuary without you.

Installation of Jody Statue in the Memorial Garden

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We miss Jody very much, and we are so glad that we now have a beautiful statue of her thanks to donors and artist Austin Smith.

We won’t likely have statues made of all of the chimpanzees as they pass, but it’s fitting to have one of Jody. She was always looking out for her group and now she watches over all of us.

Willy B’s 35th Birthday Party: Coconut Mayhem

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We’re so happy to be celebrating another birthday with Willy B!

Even though he is (one of) our resident agents of chaos, we love him and wanted to give him things he loves on his birthday.

Caregiver Sabrina planned his party to include mangoes, coconuts, slinkies, and things that bounce!

Thank you to everyone who was a part of making today special for him and all of the chimpanzees.

On another note, if you are signed up to the e-newsletter, you should have received an email earlier today kicking off our Giving Tuesday fundraising with a matching fundraising campaign. Learn more about it here. I cannot believe tomorrow is already December!!