Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Jackie

Happy Birthday, Neggie!

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Today is a very special, albeit emotional, day for all of us. Not only does it mark 3 years since the chimps’ arrived at their sanctuary home, the start of their new life, but it is Negra’s honorary birthday, so celebrations abound!

We started out the day with two of Negra’s favorite things: bread (yummy toasted apple cinnamon bread) and night bags. I don’t think there is a more perfect start of a day for Negra. J.B. hit the nail right on the head with our 3rd Anniversary Post when he said that when Negra receives her night bag, in that moment, everything is right in the world. She blinks her eyes in anticipation and is just so, so happy. I have to say it’s my favorite part of each day, as well. Here she is getting her unexpected “Night” bag this morning:

Supporters Dick and Robbi Brown faithfully brought lots of new toys for the party and we decorated the outdoor area with lots and lots of “Happy Birthday” streamers. We set up a lunch forage which consisted of mini bell peppers, lettuce (another one of Negra’s favorite foods), bananas, cherries, and pomegranates!

Negra went for the lettuce first (she’s got her priorities straight):

but she was also very excited about the mini sweet bell peppers:

Annie with her bananas. She had banana mush all over her face!

Pomegranates were a really exciting treat too, since they are out of season and we haven’t gotten them in a while. Here’s Foxie shoveling one in her mouth:

And Burrito, doing the same:

I love how red his lips get when he eats pomegranates!

Here’s the birthday lady gazing out towards Young’s Hill:

And of course the celebration is not over! Tonight, they are having corn on the cob, sweet potato fries, more bread, juice, and of course, as it has approximately 1,095 times, the day will end with another night bag. Thanks so much to all that contributed to the party!

Today in yoga class…

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Between Jody and Annie’s “reclined spinal twists” poses and Negra and Jody’s “happy baby poses“, we must have some very zen chimps around here. I caught both Negra and Jody simultaneously “practicing” this morning in the greenhouse.

Negra’s happy baby:

I like to think of this next pose as a “reclined” (or laying down) lotus pose:

Jody’s dramatic reclined spinal twist:

“Baby” steps

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Back in February, we witnessed Foxie build her first true blanket nest. It is still a rare occasion and is usually short-lived, but she is getting there. She made a little more progress today. It seems having a new(ish) troll doll with hair helps (or several), as well as caregivers handing her an endless supply of blankets.

As we approach our 3rd anniversary (June 13!), her progress is only fitting considering two years ago (on the one-year anniversary of the chimps’ arrival to the sanctuary) Diana and I witnessed Foxie lay on her first blanket. As inappropriate as the phrase “baby steps” may seem since I am referring to a fully grown adult chimp, her steps towards nest building are small, but priceless, no less.

Lilacs

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Last week, CSNW supporters Dick and Robbi Brown brought some beautiful purple lilac flowers for the chimps. I’ve known other chimps who really loved lilacs, most notably Washoe, but we just weren’t sure what the Cle Elum Seven would think. When we first gave the flowers to them, they were unsure (I tasted one the other day– bleh! they are pretty perfumey!), but today volunteer Seana and myself put out the rest of them in the outdoor area and they were a hit with everybody!

….well, almost everybody. Much like I would feel if I were them, Burrito and Foxie chose to remain indifferent toward the flower forage.

Missy:

Negra (with Annie in the background):

Jody:

Jamie enjoying her lilacs while wearing a stuffed monkey around her neck:

She put it on first thing this morning, and has been wearing it ever since:

Annie:

Thanks Robbi and Dick!

Special thanks to Three Rivers HomeLink’s Leadership Class!

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Today’s sponsor-a-day is from Three Rivers HomeLink’s Leadership class. Three Rivers is an alternative learning center for grades K-12 based out of Richland, WA. The Leadership Class has been following our blog and learning about the chimps and have chosen to honor the Cle Elum Seven by sponsoring today! They sent us the following note and photo:

Dear Chimp Sanctuary NW,
Thank you for all your love and hard work for the seven adorable angels we have been promoting at our school! The pictures on Facebook & your blog have allowed us to showcase what you do and although it’s not a huge amount we wanted to show our love for Foxie, Jamie, Negra, Burrito, Missy, Annie, and Jody!

What a fun class, huh?! I just love this photo! Thanks so much to Johanna for keeping these kids informed and engaged, and to the kids for being the next generation of ambassadors for chimpanzees!

Here’s our own head honcho and fashionista, Jamie: