Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Katelyn

Happy Birthday, Phoebe!

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Today was sponsored by Brian Freyermuth in honor of his niece, Phoebe, on her 7th birthday! Brian shared this lovely message about his gift:

“Phoebe is my niece who is a lover of birds and all other animals and who gives me hope in the compassion and kindness of the next generation.”

Brian, thank you so much for giving us all hope in the future by sharing Phoebe’s compassionate heart with us! This is such a wonderful way to celebrate her and the chimps.

Happy Birthday, Phoebe! Thank you so much for caring about all the animals we share the earth with. It makes our hearts happy to hear of your love for them all. From all the primates at CSNW, chimps and humans alike, we hope you have the happiest day today! And how wonderful to be celebrating your special day on the first day of spring!

Annie is known for her “bird noises.” When she is feeling particularly content she whistles through her hands and we can hear her Annie-bird songs all through the chimp house which always makes us happy because we know it means she’s is extra happy.

Saying farewell to winter

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It’s the last day of winter here at this northern sanctuary. The chimps have been relishing all the elements of these days betwixt and between seasons. They were outside first thing this morning soaking in the sun and crisp air and have spent most of the day basking in the warmth of the sunny greenhouse.

Each of these bluebird afternoons Missy has been asking us to open up the barn doors. Nevermind that the air is still scented with snow from the alpine peaks above the sanctuary. I think she’s convinced the garden should be growing her beloved tomatoes already and wants to check. If it’s not too cold, we usually open the doors up for a few minutes, which typically incites a lot of excitement for some reason. Everyone hoots and hollers and runs over to look out as though it’s the most amazing event ever. Though I guess it shouldn’t be surprising. It’s one of my favorite things to bundle up and step outside or fling the windows wide, pressing my face to the elements. We keep the chimp house at a toasty 70 degrees and once the chimps have had a gander outside they typically drift back to the greenhouse or sunny windows upstairs so we usually close the doors back up pretty quickly.

But today has been different. I’ve walked into the chimps’ area a dozen times to check on them and the temperature in there, expecting them to be chilly and ready for the doors to be closed. But each time someone (even Negra!) has been sitting peacefully in that end-of-winter-beginning-of-spring sun streaming in. And the last time I checked…my heart! It nearly melted into that big ol’ sun puddle on the playroom floor. Jamie, sound asleep in front of the barn doors, the last bits of winter breeze ruffling her hair. Tucked in by her boots and that crazy stuffed elephant.

Farewell winter, welcome spring.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day from Erin!

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Good friend of the chimpanzees, Erin Yuhas, sponsored this much loved holiday for them and shares this sweet message with us all:

“Top ‘o the morning! St. Patrick’s Day is my favorite holiday and everyone is Irish on this day…even the chimps!”

Erin, your lovely heart! Thanks for sponsoring such a fun day for the chimps (and the humans)! Your generosity and compassion have made a lasting difference in their lives and we’re always thrilled to have yet another reason to celebrate. And as is probably pretty clear, the chimps know how to party, so today is right up their alley!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day everyone! May the luck of the chimps be with you!

As today’s party preparations get underway, here are a few moments from past St. Paddy’s Day celebrations and just moments to celebrate in general.

 

Burrito O’Chimpanzee:

Luck o’ the Irish troll:

Annie and a leprechaun friend:

I’m pretty sure the sanctuary is the pot of gold at the end of our rainbow, thanks to all who love and care for these chimps.

Annie bird and bluebirds

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Everyone’s gathering. Red-winged blackbird, nuthatch, woodpeckers, squirrels. With each passing day we see the return of our wild neighbors. We’re still below freezing at night, but today is almost 60 degrees! And with that warmth returned the neighbors I’ve been watching for every day, the ones who announce it’s spring, regardless of the calendar: the swallows and the bluebirds!

When the chimps rushed onto the hill together this morning they all seemed to slow down, noticing the warmth of the sun and the air filled with birdsong. It was as if everything stilled for a moment and my heart sang right along with all the birds just watching the chimps take it all in. Spring has arrived.

When the sky is bluebird bright and clear, Annie in particular loves to find a perch outside in the sun and take it all in in relative solitude. Her bestie, Missy, was ripping and running back and forth beneath her trying to entice her into a game of chase, but it was some time before Annie could be swayed to leave her lookout. When she finally did decide to head inside she promptly made a nest in the sun streaming into the chimps’ playroom, put her feet up on the wall and sang her own Annie-bird song (whistling through her hands) that always means her heart is joyful and content. Missy came in and curled up next to Annie in the nest. And so our day went, all our hearts singing.

 

Happy Birthday, Brendan!

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Michele McLaughlin sponsored this day of sanctuary for Brendan Sommers on his 11th birthday because he loves the chimpanzees here at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest!

Michele, what a wonderful gift for Brendan and the chimpanzees! Thank you for bringing compassion and generosity  to all their lives.

Brendan! 11, wow!! Thank you for caring about the chimps and sharing your special day with them! They are lucky to have you as a friend. All of the great apes here at CSNW, humans and chimps alike, hope you have the happiest of birthdays!

Good friends, Burrito and Foxie, forever young at heart:

In memory of Simba

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Today was sponsored by Lynda Bell in memory of her beloved cat, Simba. Lynda shared this lovely message about Simba with us:

“This is in memory of Simba, my 18-yr. old cat who passed away in January. Today was his birthday. I got him 17 years ago from the Oregon Humane Society. He was the most gentle cat ever. He loved people and other animals and got along well with all. I love the idea of the Chimpanzee Sanctuary and am very happy to sponsor a day for the chimps. I hope to come visit the sanctuary when it is possible in the summer! Thank you for all that you do for these wonderful chimps!”

Lynda, we are so sorry for the loss of your dear friend and family member, Simba. It sounds as though you gained an immeasurable amount of love and life from your time together. Thank you so much for choosing to rescue one of so many who need their forever homes and sharing all that a rescue animal can bring to our lives. We’re so glad you found each other. We are grateful to you for sharing Simba’s life and your compassion with us and the chimps.

Annie:

Jamie:

Burrito:

The Jody Olympics

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Jody is not the most athletic of chimpanzees. During her first years at the sanctuary she wasn’t always interested in traversing the great outdoors unless it was to forage for wild greens to bring back to her nest and she typically preferred to spend her days lounging with abandon, taking it easy. When she did decide to ramp up her activity a bit, our hearts swelled watching her endearing, but awkward attempts at climbing, running, and even brachiating. All run of the mill stuff for chimpanzees. But understandably, after decades spent in a space the size of a bathroom stall, she needed time to rest, recover and heal before the rebuilding could begin.

With the exception of Negra, Jody is also the most cold aversive of the group, so when she ran outside into the lower 20 degree morning today, clearly with her own agenda to explore every place she possibly could, it made my heart sing. While she still may not be the most agile or sure-footed of chimps, her adventurous and courageous spirit more than make up for it and she continues to grow stronger and more confident every day.

There isn’t much snow left on the ground, but with the temperatures staying below freezing what snow there is has pretty much turned to ice. But even that didn’t deter Jody this morning. Not to be outshone by resident athlete, Missy, Jody seemed to have decided to run her own Olympics course, in classic Jo Jo style.

Heading up the icy hill, she opted to utilize the firehose to hang onto as she bravely ventured onto the tundra:

Back down the hill she stopped to see if she could chip off an ice snack:

Her hair is pilo-erect (hair standing on end) due to both the cold and her excitement (notice that happy droopy lip!):

Nice lunge, Jo!

From here she quickly made her way up to the climbing structures to cross the swinging bridges:

I think this was my favorite moment! The structures were covered in ice and as she cautiously made her way across, she started to slide backward here, but she didn’t give up:

She made it! Looking pretty pleased with herself, as she should be:

No time to waste, she cautiously headed back across:

Here is a glimpse of Jody’s self-appointed coach/spotter/stalker, Burrito, who bravely, but reluctantly, followed her into the freezing temps every step of the way:

Making her way back down the hill toward the greenhouse Jody found a huge chunk of ice. A gold medal by her standards: