After several days of rain and wind and gloom, we finally have a perfect day here at the sanctuary. All of the windows are open to let in fresh air, and the chimpanzees are in great moods. This video shows part of a longer play session that took place this morning in the playroom. My favorite part is Foxie’s new move.
In memory of Tovarisch and Ilka
We are so lucky to have an amazing base of supporters who are always thinking of the chimpanzees. Today is sponsored by Robyn Leff in memory of Tovarisch and Ilka. (It’s easy to sponsor a day of sanctuary for the chimps as a gift or memorial (or just because!) – just go here.) We’re so grateful, Robyn!
Your support keeps this guy supplied with as much watermelon as he can eat:
Comfort
A few nights ago while the chimpanzees were being served dinner in the greenhouse, I entered the playroom for a quick spot clean and found this nest in Negra’s current favorite spot in the loft. The photos really don’t do it justice. It was about four feet wide and beautifully put together. The next morning when we (reluctantly) deconstructed it during cleaning, we counted 23 blankets! It was only four years ago that Negra and the other chimps were sleeping on bare concrete in the lab. To Negra, I think sanctuary means comfort.
Congratulations, Sharon!
Sharon Discorfano has sponsored today to commemorate her graduation from law school at the University of Arizona. While in school, Sharon served as Co-Director of her campus chapter of the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund. After hearing CSNW’s own Sarah Baeckler and various other primatologists speak about the plight of chimpanzees, Sharon was inspired to write her substantial paper on laws regarding chimpanzees in research (check out a blog post she wrote based on her paper here). After graduation, Sharon will be working in the field of animal law. Sharon wants to thank Sarah, the other sanctuary staff, and the Cle Elum Seven for the inspiration, and we want to thank Sharon for sponsoring today for the chimps and for her continued work on behalf of all chimpanzees!
This photo of Negra worshipping the sun had a particular impact on Sharon (it’s one of my favorites, too):
Thank you, Barbara King!
Barbara King has sponsored today in appreciation of the chimpanzees’ caregivers. (Thank you, Barbara!) We’re lucky to have a great team of staff and volunteers who provide direct care to the chimps every day. It’s a demanding job, but I think we’d all agree that the rewards are infinite. After all, we get to look at faces like this each day:
Thank you to Barbara and to all of our supporters who make our jobs that much easier!
Time with friends
Annie spent some time grooming Missy in the greenhouse this morning:
Grooming eventually turned into some mellow, silly play. My favorite thing about this video is that by looking at Missy’s serious face, you’d never know she was playing.
Celebrating Jody Ubert
Jody has been a supporter of the chimpanzees since they arrived from the laboratory in Pennsylvania almost four years ago. Her latest generous act is to sponsor today (her birthday!). Sponsoring a day of sanctuary is a great way to contribute directly to the chimps’ daily care, and we’re so moved by Jody’s thoughtful gift on her own special day. Many thanks and happy birthday wishes to you, Jody!
Here’s a photo of Jody’s namesake doing what she does best:
