Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary for primates.

Katelyn

Spring fashion runway

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We always know spring has officially arrived when dear, sweet Annie breaks out her favorite spring fashion choice of wearing a sweatband around her waist. She only seems to do this when the warmer weather arrives. This morning after breakfast she and Missy were ripping around Young’s Hill and I just caught Annie zooming by in her bright yellow spring accessory as she tried to catch Missy, hooting all the way:

Jody is recovering well after yesterday’s trip to the clinic to address her foot injury, and according to her, quite ready to return to her friends. While it’ll be a bit before she is actually ready (according to the humans), she enjoys frequent visits from everyone as they check up on her and make sure she’s doing okay. Initially she had her foot in the air to show them, but when Dr. Missy made a move to groom it, Jody thought better of it and put her foot back down. Good thinking, Jo. Dr. Missy isn’t exactly known for her light touch when grooming injuries. 😉

Jody visiting with Negra and Missy:

Thank you, Becca!

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This day of sanctuary was sponsored by Becca Hines, a long-time volunteer caregiver and friend of the chimpanzees. Becca and her husband, Lars Foster-Jorgensen, who has also volunteered in the chimp house, are off to the next chapter of their lives. Becca shared this message about her gift of sanctuary today:

“I would like to sponsor a day for the chimps as a “see you later” party before I move to IN. With the corona virus I can’t celebrate with them in person, so I thought this was the next best thing! It’s a bittersweet goodbye, after 8 years these chimps are truly some of my longest friends. The best times of my life have happened with these chimpanzees and I am forever grateful for the staff for creating this volunteer program and putting up with me for so long! I love these chimpanzees with all of my heart and I will miss seeing them dearly. I would also like to sponsor this day in honor of a former staff member, Elizabeth. I know she will probably hate this but she gave me my volunteer orientation in 2012 and has become one of the greatest friends I have ever known. She (and these chimps, mostly Jamie with all the walks around young’s hill) have mentally and physically turned me into the person I am today, and I am not sure I would be standing here without her. Thursday’s in the chimp house will always be my favorite memory. Thank you for all you have done for me EK.”

Becca, we’re so sorry you couldn’t be here in person for a “see you later” party and know how incredibly difficult that must be. But that’s why it’s “see you later” and not “goodbye.” Thank you for always holding the chimpanzees, and all animals, in your heart. You’ve been a wonderful friend to the chimpanzees and a dedicated subordinate human to Jamie Chimpanzee, and we can’t thank you enough for all you and Lars have done for them. All of us here wish you and Lars all the good things as you head toward your new lives. Do boss lady, Jamie, proud in your new endeavors. She’ll be watching you. We don’t know how, but she will. 😉

Happy Anniversary, Michael!

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Today was sponsored by our dear friend, Arlene, in honor of her husband, Michael, on their anniversary!

“I want to wish a Happy Anniversary to my husband Michael. In happy times and trying times like these, I am thankful for your love and support all the time. I am blessed to be staying home with you, someone whom I am truly happy to be with and who makes me feel safe. I wish those same feelings of love, hope, home and many blessings to all of you at the Sanctuary for what you do everyday, and to all of the Chimps and Bovine who are lucky to be there, and to everyone – stay safe and be well.”

Arlene, thank you so much for thinking of all the sanctuary residents on your and Michael’s special day and allowing us to celebrate with you!

Happy Anniversary to you both, from all of us here! We’re so glad you have each other and are safe and well at home in your own sanctuary.

Burrito and Negra 🙂

Blog post by Jamie

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Jamie’s a clever woman. If you’ve been following us for any length of time at all, this isn’t news. We have the great privilege and honor of getting to hang out with her every day and yet, she is always a delight and a surprise.

Sometimes it’s easy to make the ridiculous human mistake of thinking that Jamie is acting in a random manner without intent and purpose. When that happens, it’s usually because we just can’t figure out what she is trying to tell us, it’s not immediately apparent to us. But I guarantee you she always has something in mind.

This afternoon she headed out on a walk around Young’s Hill, her cohorts happily falling into line behind her for an after lunch walk around the hill in the sunshine and fresh air. But Jamie wasn’t just out for a stroll in the sunshine and fresh air. She’d been thinking and had a plan in mind. Once she completed walking the perimeter of the chimps’ outdoor habitat, she made a beeline for the bamboo in the center of the hill and immediately began collecting sticks of a precise kind and size. Jamie had been thinking about the fact that a volunteer caregiver had spilled peanut butter on her scrub top earlier in the day (which Jamie had politely pointed out) and if she had a perfect size tool she could get the peanut butter off the human under the guise of asking to groom her. The peanut butter had been washed off, but no mind, if you’re Jamie you never know when you might need a good bunch of sticks. You may feel like grooming the humans, attempting to poke an unsuspecting human, collecting a piece of gum just out of reach outside the caging, or maybe just taking a good selfie.

As I type this I can see Jamie in the camera, watching me from atop her barrel. She is kicking the wall to get my attention and saying, “Just hurry up and post my blog because I have a task for you!” It’s been merely a couple moments and I’ve been speaking to her the entire time, but Jamie gave up on the dawdling humans and took matters into her own hands. The task she had in mind was that a piece of gum had fallen into the crevice of the drain cover outside the door. Chad walked in to check on her and discovered a tool in the drain cover and now we can see Jamie in the camera chewing gum.

The boss lady calls again! So here you go, folks. And yes, she took this selfie with her stick :):

Today is for Lacy!

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Today’s day of sanctuary for the chimpanzees was sponsored by Shaun Mayo for Lacy Rambo!

“For the person who has such an amazing heart for the gang… and also who loves a good Jamie story now and then.”

Shaun, in addition to the difference you help make for the chimpanzees as one of our interns, we so appreciate your kind heart in choosing to celebrate Lacy with a day of sanctuary!

Lacy, all of us here hope you have the best day and thanks for loving the chimps from afar!

Jamie:

Happy Birthday, Kelly!

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This day of sanctuary was generously sponsored for the chimpanzees by Kelly Catlin Walker! Kelly is celebrating her birthday today by giving the chimps a gift!

Happy Birthday, Kelly! Thank you so much for celebrating your day by helping to ensure every day is one of sanctuary for the chimps. All of us here hope you have a beautiful day!

Jamie:

Mave:

Jody:

 

Happy Birthday, Sarah!

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Brynn Edwards sponsored a day of sanctuary and celebration in honor of Sarah Sweeney!

“Happiest of birthdays to one amazing lady! We hope you are having an amazing day!”

Brynn, thank you so much for including the chimpanzees in your celebration of Sarah! We love that they are held in so many hearts and minds.

Happy Birthday from all of us here, Sarah! I’d say have one filled with Honey B-style, but it could perhaps be a little awkward at times…but super fun nonetheless, which is really all that matters. 😉

Your Chimpanzee Pal, the one and only, Honey B (we love her so much – thank you for loving her, too) <3:

Scootin’ while drinking (juice):

Randomly deciding to tickle your friends when they least expect it:

Aerial yoga?

Strong selfie game: