Katelyn

June is really more like a month long party here at the sanctuary. It’s a celebration of resident birthdays, birthdays of their extended family, and anniversaries. In many ways, it’s a full circle celebration, a testament to what true sanctuary is, and all that it makes possible.

Endearing Dora will be turning 37 on June 6th!

Brilliant spitfire Honey B (and Missy’s daughter!) turns 37 on June 11th!

And June 13th! When it all began. Now aka our “Trifecta Jubilee” celebration! It’s the 18th anniversary of the arrival of the original group of seven chimpanzees, Annie, Burrito, Foxie, Jamie, Jody, Missy, and Negra, dubbed the “Cle Elum 7” (and named as honorary citizens by the then mayor).

Boss babe, Jamie:

Annie and Missy:

Burrito and Negra:

Jody and Foxie:

Juen 13th is also the day chosen to celebrate Negra’s honorary birthday, this year being her 53rd! I lucked out and captured this photo of her a couple weeks ago on Mother’s Day, another big celebration here at the sanctuary. I love it so much. She was so happy this day and looking extra cute:

It’s also the birthday of sweet Terry, who will be turning 36!

Meanwhile, at Save the Chimps sanctuary in Florida, dear Annie’s son, Virgil, will be turning 37! He’s the spitting image of his mama and it seems just as sweet. He’s a deeply beloved guy in his sanctuary home. (Photo courtesy of Save the Chimps):

On June 21st, it’s hard to believe, but we welcome summer here in the northern hemisphere.

Betsy racing toward their summer pasture earlier this spring, as Honey looks on:

We welcomed our first guests for our summer visit program this last weekend and it was also the first of summer visits for George! Though we just celebrated George’s first anniversary here, last summer he had only just arrived and was in quarantine, and then busy beginning introductions with his new family. George hasn’t been particularly welcoming of unknown visitors over the past year, which is understandable as he adjusted to all the changes in his life, so we weren’t sure how he would feel about summer visits this year.

The chimpanzees always have the choice to participate in visits or not, and we consistently assess things to ensure their comfort and well-being remains the priority. And we were so happy to see that George handled the arrival of our first summer guests really well! He chose to demonstrate his awe-inspiring flying leaps off the structures and then charged past them along the fence line of his group’s outdoor enclosure, the Bray, a few times for dramatic effect (and normal chimpanzee display behavior) and wonderful Cy stayed glued to him, helping to ensure he wasn’t getting overwhelmed. Poor Cy was torn between wanting to say hi to the visitors while also making sure George was okay, but wonderful alpha that he is, his priority was George and the group’s comfort. George did let us know when we’d begun to overstay our welcome (with increased displays) and we promptly moved along. It is his home, after all.

We’re so thrilled that for the first time in his life, George finally gets to fully express himself and have a sense of agency over his life, all while supported by his new chimpanzee family. None of which would have been possible without you. He’s the sweetest guy:

And finally, June 26th is the 5th anniversary of the arrival of the “Lucky Six”, Cy, Dora, Gordo, Lucky, Rayne, and Terry, to the sanctuary!

Our beloved alpha, Cy:

Rayne receiving a kiss from Dora:

Beautiful Lucky (Cy’s full sister!):

Gordo and Terry:

While Mave and Willy B aren’t celebrating their own birthdays or anniversaries this month, they are of course just as much a part of all we have to hoot and holler in June!:

Thank you so much for being here with us through all these days and years of sanctuary you’ve helped create for each of our extraordinary residents! You inspire us every day with your dedication, your love for the chimpanzees and cows, and through showing us the power of community.