Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Katelyn

Lounging

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After a cool day of rains and fresh air yesterday, we are surprised to be in the upper 70’s today (though it somehow feels much, much warmer as we’ve had no chance to get used to the heat yet!). But that’s spring for you. The chimps have been in full lounge mode and since the staff and volunteers can’t exactly lounge, we are definitely in slug mode. Even Jamie has been taking time out on her perimeter walks to sit in the cool tunnel on the hill while staff sweat away in the hot sun waiting for her to resume her walk. Naturally.

Beautiful Jody is known to be the Queen of the Lounge:

But everyone was right there with her today:

in

Annie and Jody after breakfast:

Annie:

Jody dozing off next to Annie:

Zzzzzz:

Snoozy Burrito, with Foxie in the background:

All joking aside, I’m sure I don’t have to explain how full our hearts were as we all took a moment to take in the beautiful scene of utterly relaxed and content chimpanzees, lounging in sunlight and fresh air to the sound of birdsong. Between the happy, healthy and thriving chimps and the astounding beauty and wildlife that surrounds their home, we all laugh that it’s a bit like Narnia out here at times. But honestly, it’s not only the true sense of sanctuary here for the chimps, but all beings who find themselves so fortunate to be in this very special place. Thanks to all of you.

Happy Birthday, Gabi!

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I often think of the chimps’ wondrous hearts and their lives here in sanctuary as this amazing ever-widening spiral that reaches out to include the love and care of more and more people, more and more beauty. What a gift to see the chimps’ grow and flourish with each new friend who discovers them, as well as the difference they make in the lives of everyone who cares for them.

One of Foxie’s newest Pals, Gabi Ford, graciously sponsored a day of sanctuary (okay, yesterday if I’m honest, oops!! :/) for her birthday so she could share her joy with the chimps!

Gabi, we’re so delighted you discovered the chimpanzees and have so much love in your heart for them. They are lucky to have you as part of their chimp family! Thank you so much for sharing your special day with them! All of us here at CSNW hope your birthday celebration continues to be filled with all that you most love (and some Foxie-style pirouettes). Just as you help to ensure the chimps receive every single day.

Happy Birthday, Gabi!!

 

 

Today is for Amy Holden

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This special day was sponsored by Brian Freyermuth in honor of his wife, Amy Holden. Brian shared this incredibly moving message about today:

“For my wife, Amy. Life is what you make of your second chances.  CSNW has given a priceless second chance to the Cle Elum Seven and I’m sure that everyone who follows the sanctuary, whether in person or online, revels in seeing the chimps take full advantage of their new start running and climbing on Young’s Hill, napping in the greenhouse or, with respect to Burrito, eating.  I’ve sponsored today in honor of my wife of nearly 23 years, Amy Holden, who in late 2011 was diagnosed with a rare Stage 4 cancer that had metastasized from her sinuses to her spine and lung.  After a scary 2012, Amy has been five years cancer free (or, in Boston-speak, “your oncologist is wicked bored with you now”).  And like Burrito and the girls, Amy has embraced her second chance at life.  Whether doting on her nieces and nephew, skiing in Maine, Montana and the Alaskan back country, kayaking Buzzards Bay, or just enjoying the quiet of her yard with a book, Amy takes full advantage of the beauty and opportunities that a new lease on life provides. Kind of like seven chimpanzees that we all know and love….”

Brian, we’re truly humbled by your gracious gift for Amy and the chimpanzees. And yes, like seven chimpanzees we all know and love, the beauty and inspiration of Amy and her story provides our hearts with so much reason for joy and gratitude.

Amy, we’re so happy and honored to celebrate with you today! The chimpanzees bring out something special in people. And when we’re lucky, when we’re paying attention, we get to see humans, like you, bring out something special in humans. Have a beautiful day, from all of us here at CSNW!

Flower foodies

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The chimpanzees had their first lilacs of the season this morning! The lilacs are just starting to bloom so should be perfect just in time for the chimps’ Mother’s Day celebration. Jamie collected an entire bouquet for herself, leaving the other chimps with one flower each. While Jamie enjoyed hers at a leisurely pace at her private table in the frontrooms, the others literally inhaled them before I could get photos. But at least they got one!

Missy:

Annie savored hers with sweet Foxie unabashedly food-peering at her in hopes she’d share hers, but Annie isn’t easily swayed when it comes to food. And lilacs are something all the chimps really love. Annie decided to build a nest and finish up the stems in comfort.

Happy Birthday, Penelope!

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Today was sponsored by Brian and Amy Freyermuth in honor of their niece, Penelope! They shared this message:

“Penelope is our niece who turns 4 today — she is a rollicking force of nature and lover of water in all forms from frigid New England ski slopes to warm (and not so warm) beaches.  And being the daughter and granddaughter of good Washington state girls, she loves her raspberries and her smoked salmon!  She is meticulous in making sure that all of the birds and other wildlife in our yard are well fed and cared for when she visits and is an excellent role model for her first dog (I might have those roles reversed).”

Penelope sounds like our kind of human! Thanks so much, Brian and Amy, for celebrating her in such a special way!

Happy Birthday, Penelope! Thank you for being such a good friend to animals. We’re happy to know you are in the world and hope you have the most wonderful day! It sounds like you might share an adventurous spirit with our resident force of nature, Missy! (But please remember Missy is a chimp and we’re not advocating for you to go climb on the roof. 😉 ).

So many reasons to party!

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Spring is in full swing at the sanctuary! Old friends returned from the long winter and we’ve seen the first butterflies, bees, and even our friend, Ellie, the neighborhood elk is back from her roaming. The air is literally humming with bird flight and birdsong and buds and flowers are finally unfurling under a bluebird sky and warming sun. We’re suddenly supposed to see temperatures in the upper 70’s, near 80 by week’s end. Also springing up over the weekend was the chimpanzees’ brand new play structure on Young’s Hill!

The new structure was funded by donations from HOOT! 2017 from Pat Cattolico, Meg Lunnum, and Richard and Lisa Stuverud, who donated during the event at the Care Corner towards a “new small structure” – J.B. maybe has a different idea of “small” than most people!

With plans and materials in hand, we had an incredible group of volunteers spend their weekend to help J.B. execute his plans. After a great crew on Saturday to include Andy, Drew, John and Ray, we were fortunate to have another amazing bunch to finish things up on Sunday, which included chimp house student volunteers, Caroline, Ruth and Blanca, and members of our local community, Natalie, Greg and the Habitat for Humanity crew! If you saw the Sponsor-a-Day post earlier today you had a glimpse of the building in progress, but here’s a few more perspectives of the process:

Even pine trees and raspberries were planted on the hill (we’ll see if they survive Jody’s adventurous eating habits!).

So with today being our ninth annual honorary “Love a Chimpanzee Day” (thanks to long-time friend of the chimps’, Monica Best), naturally, the only thing left to do was throw a big party! We had a breakfast forage on the structure and the chimps’ had an amazing mix of fresh jackfruit (!), oranges, tomatoes, watermelon, banana, grapes, primate chow, and the cherry on top? One whole fresh coconut placed at the very top of the structure.

When I opened the door to the hill the entire family headed out together with Negra leading the way out of the raceway! While everyone else headed straight for the structure, Negra made a stop at her cabin first to check for treats:

Missy was first up!

Everyone quickly made their way to the top. Here’s Jamie:

Missy with a beloved WHOLE tomato!

Foxie:

Missy:

Either no one immediately noticed the coconut at the top, or everyone was just played it cool until they saw an opportunity to grab it without attracting the attention of the others. Jody walking right on by (for now):

Foxie and Dora:

Missy and Jamie:

Missy:

Even Negra made it up the first couple of levels:

Jody and Foxie:

Annie!

And it was Jody who veeery carefully snatched that coconut! Somehow she kept it together all during the forage, acting nonchalant while keeping an eye on boss lady, Jamie (who being the boss, per chimp society, has the right to claim that coconut from anyone). Once Jody made it back to the greenhouse she could no longer contain her excitement and stopped to give us all a bouncy greeting and then sit with her spoils while making her classic “dinosaur” noises (low moans, Jody style). But she ended up leaving the coconut behind to head back out for more of the forage and who do you think was sooo happy to find that coconut unguarded??…

Burrito!! In the end, Jamie did wind up with it, but by day’s end everyone got to share in a second coconut.

To be honest, we have SO many photos of the construction of the structure, the chimps’ first moments checking it out last night and today, that these are the tip of the iceberg. There will be many more photos in the days to come.

To be able to continually improve the chimpanzees’ home with new and exciting forms of enrichment, to make each year of their lives better than the last, to see so many individuals come together to support the chimps in so many different ways, it’s nothing short of a privilege and honor to witness and be part of. From our hearts, we thank all of you who made this possible for the chimps.

And oh! I almost forgot! What are we going to name this new climbing structure?! We are spinning some ideas around, but we welcome your suggestions for possible names!

It’s Love a Chimpanzee Day!

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It’s that time of year again! The official-unofficial holiday, “Love a Chimpanzee Day”! Long-time supporter and friend of the sanctuary, Monica Best, crowned April 23rd as Love a Chimpanzee Day nine years ago and she continues to sponsor this wonderful day each year in honor of: “My seven favorite chimps and all the wonderful staff, volunteers and donors who help care for them so they can have: Hope. Love. Home….SANCTUARY.” Monica shared this note about the celebration:

“LOVE A CHIMPANZEE DAY. A day to honor all chimpanzees, in sanctuaries, zoos, the wild and especially those waiting in labs to come home to find sanctuary. We will never forget you and we will never leave you behind. We won’t quit till every chimp; from research labs, the entertainment industry, backyard zoos and anywhere else they are mistreated and forbidden to live a life free of fear and pain, have found SANCTUARY.”

Monica, thank you for living life from your generous and compassionate heart. You play a big role in helping to ensure these chimps, and so many of our fellow animals, have the kind of lives they deserve and we’re so grateful for you being in the world. And thank you for making up this wonderful holiday! We can never have too much to celebrate when it comes to these seven amazing individuals!

In perfect timing, we get to share what’s been happening on the hill with you all today! The AMAZING new structure for the chimps built by staff and incredible volunteers was finished yesterday afternoon! We can’t wait to show you more and today’s celebration for a breakfast forage on the new structure is underway!

The finishing touches:

The first inspection!