Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Elizabeth

View from the top

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Almost three years after we opened Young’s Hill, the chimpanzees are still exploring new facets of it all the time. This afternoon volunteer caregiver Denice called me outside to take a look at Jamie, who had scaled a 25 foot tall post to the very top, and was clinging to it and taking in her surroundings. She didn’t even come down when Denice announced that it was lunch time. Due to a camera mishap I wasn’t able to get a photo of her on her perch, but here she is climbing back down.

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After a little more meandering, she headed to the greenhouse to enjoy some lunch.

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Green Grass

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Each year around this time, the grass on Young’s Hill turns from brown and brittle to soft and green seemingly overnight. The chimpanzees love it, and I love how at home they look out there.

Annie:

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Jody:

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Foxie and Dora…

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…and Ellie the elk spying:

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Negra:

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Burrito, enjoying the spring grass for the delicacy it is:

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The Day After

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Aside from working directly with and for the chimpanzees every day, the thing I love most about working for Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest is seeing how deeply people near and far care about the chimps – not just in the abstract, but as individuals. After decades of being treated as little more than faceless numbers, it’s incredibly heartwarming that people across the country and across the world love and appreciate Foxie for her love of troll dolls, Burrito for his epic food squeaks, and so on.

Last night’s Hoot! gala in Seattle was an amazing success and an absolute joy. People came to celebrate and support the chimps they love, or to acquaint themselves with the Cle Elum Seven for the first time. Check out the e-newsletter about the event that Diana sent out this morning here. (If you’re not yet signed up for our email list, you can do that here.) And be sure to watch the video that gala attendees saw at the event last night.

If you weren’t able to make it last night, you can still show your love for the chimps by donating here.

Today the chimpanzees are celebrating by enjoying the green grass and sunshine on Young’s Hill. After picking a couple of dandelions, Jody spent some time overseeing the unloading of the event supplies from the U-Haul.

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A million thanks to everyone who helps us continue to care for the chimps we love so much.

Old Friends

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When former CSNW Executive Director Sarah Baeckler left the organization early last year for her new position as Director of the North American Primate Sanctuary Alliance, she couldn’t bring herself to say goodbye to the chimpanzees. So even though she and her family relocated to Portland, she stayed on as a volunteer caregiver and drives up to the sanctuary regularly to help clean enclosures and hang out with her chimpanzee friends. As you can see from these photos taken this morning, they’re always happy to see her.

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Happy Easter!

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I will admit that we went a little over the top for today’s Easter party, but it just kind of happened. A couple of days ago we got a delivery of three (large!) boxes of Easter party supplies and favors from supporter Jayne R. It was everything we needed to throw the chimpanzees an amazing Easter party. And then this morning volunteer caregivers Stephanie and Patti showed up for their shift in the chimp house with their arms weighed down with piñatas, veggies, and other goodies. The chimps really do have the best friends, near and far.

We started the morning with a party in the greenhouse. The piñatas, as always, were a hit.

Annie:

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Missy:

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Jamie had to lie on her belly in the hammock to reach the piñata hanging underneath, but it was worth the effort:

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Negra loved the treat tubes and other enrichment that Jayne sent:

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Missy did, too:

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Burrito:

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Jody:

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Jamie:

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Foxie checked out the new goods:

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and found a new Dora the Explorer! Thanks, Jayne!

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Foxie took Dora for a stroll on Young’s Hill:

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Negra was more interested in the veggies we “planted” in the ground all over the hill:

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Jody harvested a carrot from the treat rock:

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and another:

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Her arms were so full that she had trouble managing her haul, and had to stop every few feet to regroup:

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But she worked it out:

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Thanks again to Jayne, Patti, and Steph. Happy Easter, everyone!