Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Elizabeth

Today is for Shaun Brinsfield

by

Tracy and Bruce sponsored today for the chimpanzees in honor of their friend Shaun Brinsfield, who introduced them to the chimps and the sanctuary years ago. Shaun, we can’t thank you enough for spreading the word about the Cle Elum Seven – you never know who’s going to connect with these amazing individuals and change their lives for the better. Though the chimps can’t possibly know how many thousands of friends they have across the world, we do our best every day to make them feel it as much as possible. They’re so lucky to have you – Shaun, Tracy, and Bruce – in their corner!

Jamie is feeling the love:

web_Jamie_lie_in_blanket_nest_wear_boot_from_volunteer_Becca_look_at_camera_PR_ek_IMG_2776

Night bags

by

Chimpanzees can be loud. When they’re calm, they’re silent, but as soon as there’s any excitement in the group, you’ll hear a chorus of pant hoots or food grunts or screams.

Nothing says excitement at the sanctuary like meal time. In addition to the usual food grunts and food squeaks, you might hear attention-getting sounds like Foxie blowing raspberries, Burrito banging the caging, or Negra clapping her hands imperiously to tell the meal server to kindly hurry up.

But the after-dinner night bags we serve each evening have a way of bringing peace and quiet to the scene. As soon as everyone has their night bag, silence descends, and the only thing you hear is the crunching of the nuts and seeds. This is my favorite time of day.

New Adventures for Negra

by

The Negra we know so well is happiest when snuggled up with a pile of blankets. She likes warmth and comfort and predictability, and avoids unnecessary exertion. You would not call her adventurous. She usually looks like this:

web_Negra_lie_down_blanket_nest_platform_look_at_camera_GH_ek_IMG_3459

But if there’s one thing we’ve learned from the Cle Elum Seven chimpanzees, it’s this: Never assume you’ve got someone figured out. Seven years after arriving at the sanctuary from the research lab, these chimps are still changing, growing, and surprising us.

Over the last few days, Negra has established what looks to be a new routine for herself. After lunch, she marches confidently outside, walks all the way to the top of Young’s Hill, and stations herself in the tall grass to munch on some wild plants.

web_Negra_sit_alone_in_green_grass_near_top_of_hill_eat_plants_YH_ek_IMG_3419

This may not seem remarkable, but for Negra, it’s huge. She is not an outdoors person. She doesn’t like wind or rain or too much sun or too little sun. She has always been uneasy in the wide open spaces of Young’s Hill, and she prefers to stay near the bottom of the hill next to the chimp house so she can rush inside to safety at a moment’s notice. She must feel very small out there.

web_Negra_sit_green_grass_bamboo_YH_ek_IMG_3409

It’s hard to say what accounts for Negra’s newfound serenity, but we hope it’s just the first step toward her world opening up a little more.

web_Negra_sit_in_green_grass_YH_ek_IMG_3430

Inspector Jody

by

Jody often takes it upon herself to oversee the goings-on at the sanctuary. She wants everything to proceed as smoothly as possible. When we’re shifting the chimps to close off an area for cleaning, Jody sometimes hangs back in the doorway, ushering everyone through with an outstretched arm, and only going through herself when she’s confident that everyone else is accounted for. When the sanctuary is infiltrated by an unwelcome mouse or snake or squirrel, Jody is at the front lines of the war, bravely fighting for the safety of her chimp family.

While volunteer caregiver Becca was serving lunch to the chimpanzees in the greenhouse this afternoon, Jody was keeping a close eye on Young’s Hill. As soon as lunch was over, she ventured out and was on high alert. She was convinced that there was something of concern happening on the opposite side of the hill, but none of the other chimps seemed at all worried, and Jody didn’t seem to be able to work up the courage to go investigate on her own. Instead, she stood at a safe distance and monitored the situation.

web_Jody_stand_bipedal_on_alert_green_grass_YH_ek_IMG_3405

web_Jody_stand_bipedal_on_alert_green_grass_YH_ek_IMG_3408

web_Jody_stand_bipedal_on_alert_green_grass_look_toward_camera_YH_ek_IMG_3406

After a few minutes, she seemed reassured that no one was in immediate danger, and she retreated to the greenhouse for a well-deserved rest.

web_Jody_lie_down_blankets_chin_in_hand_look_toward_YH_GH_ek_IMG_3402

Jamie, Reinvented

by

Jamie is the undisputed leader of the Cle Elum Seven, but she is not a natural leader.

If Jamie spoke, her catchphrase would be “because I said so.” As a leader, she is not always interested in fairness or leniency. She isn’t interested in hearing your arguments or reasoning or appeals. She knows exactly how she believes things should be, and through sheer determination, she makes it happen.

At the sanctuary, one of our goals is to pinpoint exactly what each chimpanzee needs, and give that to them. Of course, all chimpanzees have basic needs like space to run, fresh air, good food, and other chimps. But beyond those basic needs, each individual has needs of their own. (For Foxie, it’s troll dolls. For Burrito, it’s lots of playtime with caregivers.) What Jamie needs is control and respect.

web_Jamie_portrait_studio_intense_look_at_camera_FR4_ek_IMG_2986

Decades of being forced to submit to the will of humans who did not always treat her kindly have done a number on Jamie’s confidence. It is very important to her that everyone believes in her dominance, but she doesn’t always believe in herself. She rules with an iron fist because she is insecure. She overcompensates.

web_Jamie_portrait_studio_FR4_ek_IMG_2976

It’s no surprise that Jamie isn’t the most skilled leader. When she arrived at the sanctuary seven years ago, she must have felt weary, demoralized, and completely defeated. Her life thus far had been devoid of choice, devoid of control. She was powerless. But Jamie decided to change her destiny. In an environment where she is given room to spread her wings, she has done so in the most astounding way. Her path hasn’t always been smooth, but Jamie has reclaimed the respect and dignity she lost to endless years in the labs. Jamie is the boss of ALL of us.

web_Jamie_full_body_portrait_studio_intense_look_at_camera_FR4_ek_IMG_2985

web_Jamie_portrait_studio_close_up_look_at_camera_FR4_ek_IMG_2967