Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest
Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary
After the chimps (even Negra!) spent a busy morning on Young’s Hill foraging for wild greens, exploring, playing, and guarding the perimeter against new intruders (neighbor cows), it’s been a pretty leisurely afternoon at the sanctuary. With warming temperatures, fresh air through open windows and doors, and a sun-drenched greenhouse, these ladies were soaking it all in.
Foxie:
Annie:
Missy:
It’s our 8th annual Love a Chimpanzee Day, thanks to long-time supporter and friend, Monica Best, sponsoring this day of sanctuary each year. As Monica says (and we obviously agree), “Every day should be love a chimpanzee day.” It also happens to be Monica’s birthday and in choosing to celebrate those dear to her heart, today is also in memory of beloved Pygmy.
If you know Monica, you know she’s dedicated much of her life as an advocate for the conservation and well-being of countless animals. From wolves to bears, cats to dogs, flying foxes to chimpanzees, and I suspect everyone in between, Monica uses her life to better theirs. So while we celebrate the chimpanzees today, we also celebrate Monica. Happiest of days to you, our chimp friend! We hope you have a beautiful day filled with all you love and we’re sending you all the good thoughts! Thank you so much for all you bring to the chimps’ lives.
Negra:
This day was sponsored by Debbie Bloom in honor of the chimpanzees and this beautiful Earth we all share. She shares this lovely message about today:
“In honor of Earth Day it seems appropriate to celebrate all of these beautiful creatures. They bring such joy and intrigue into our lives – especially mine. I only wish that I could read their minds.”
Debbie, on this day in which we’re given a special opportunity to honor and celebrate this amazing earth, and to protect and preserve all we cherish, we love that you’ve chosen to include the chimps. Thank you so much for honoring the special individuals they are and all they bring to our lives just by being themselves.
There is so much to love on this earth. Especially these seven chimpanzees. Safe, thriving and loved in a beautiful world to call their own, thanks to each of you.
Annie:
Burrito:
Foxie:
Jamie:
Jody:
Missy:
Negra:
This day of sanctuary was sponsored by Kery Shaw and Terran Baylor in honor of their friend, Bryan Pease! They shared this special message about their kind gift:
“Bryan is a good friend who advocates for animals and humans. Although, his birthday was April 8th, today activists around the world are speaking out for animals in laboratories. Today we honor Bryan who has been a huge voice for animals in labs, we honor the animals, especially the seven chimps at CSNW. Bryan is one of the top rated civil rights attorneys in San Diego and has met the stringent selection criteria of the national rating agency SuperLawyers. He is a public interest attorney focusing on government transparency and accountability, freedom of speech and assembly, and environmental, animal and consumer protection. In the June 2016 California primary election, over 23,000 registered Democrats voted for Bryan to be their San Diego County Democratic Central Committee delegate, giving him the most number of votes in the county out of 73 candidates across six state assembly districts. Bryan has fought for many San Diegans who would not be able to afford an attorney if it weren’t for Bryan’s pro bono work. For his entire legal and professional career, Bryan has worked tirelessly defending the public interest. He has successfully fought for environmental and consumer protection, defended against employment and housing discrimination, and enforced the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act. In addition to running his own law firm, Bryan has taught as an adjunct law professor, inspiring law students to pursue public interest law. Bryan also regularly provides pro bono legal services to homeless veterans and small nonprofit organizations. Bryan has also served as a board member of Ocean Beach Peoples Co-Op from 2008-2015, OB’s largest employer, and for the past 10 years, he has been the volunteer executive director of a nonprofit thrift store in San Diego that benefits animal and environmental protection causes.” We love you Bryan! Love Kery & Terran.”
Kery and Terran, thank you for adding to the chimpanzees’ lives by celebrating such an inspirational human as Bryan and for always holding the chimpanzees in your hearts. To you both, as well as Bryan, thank you for all you do for our fellow humans and animals and for making the world a better place for us all!
Jamie:
Foxie:
Burrito:
Jamie, Missy, Burrito, Annie and Foxie:
Annie and Missy:
Jody:
Negra:
Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Janet Annal in honor of her son, Matthew Annal! Janet shared this message about today:
“Happy belated birthday! Matthew is a chimp aficionado and spreads information with his chimpanzee puppet. He was able to visit CSNW several years ago to get to know the chimps better and make sure he represents them accurately. Way to go, Matt!!”
Janet, thank you for choosing to celebrate Matthew’s special day by making a difference for the chimpanzees! What a generous thing to do.
Matthew, we hope you have the best birthday yet! Thank you so much for caring about chimpanzees and for all the work you do to share your passion and information with others. Happy Birthday from all of us at CSNW!
Burrito loves a good party (as long as there’s plenty of food, of course):
A day of celebration and sanctuary was sponsored by Sharon Langone in honor of her husband, Matt! Sharon shared this wonderful message about today:
“I’d like to sponsor a day in honour of my husband Matt whose birthday is 18th April. It’s also our anniversary, married 9 years! We both love the chimps and one of the highlights of our day is checking the blog to see what the gang has been up to.”
So much to celebrate! Matt, we hope this is the happiest birthday yet for you!
Sharon, thank you so much for sponsoring such a special day for your family and including the chimpanzees, we’re so touched! And Happy Anniversary to you both from all of us here at CSNW! Have a wonderful day!
Good friends, Burrito and Jody:
The day after the big celebration the chimpanzees have been napping, resting and eating light, recovering from yesterday’s all day party! As I mentioned in yesterday’s blog, here are a few photos from the first Young’s Hill forage of the year (aka Easter Party #2):
Annie picking carrots we “buried” for the chimps to harvest:
Jody and Negra (Negra was ALL over the place! It was her day 🙂 ):
Jody finds a quiet spot to enjoy her spoils:
Missy scored on corn:
Foxie and Dora on the hunt for Easter eggs filled with nuts and berries:
Boss lady, Jamie, thrilled with her beloved leeks:
And a bonus video of Easter shenanigans from the breakfast forage:
