Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Katelyn

Happy Birthday, Helton!

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This day of sanctuary was sponsored by Don and Karen Young in honor of their grandson, Helton Young’s, birthday! Don and Karen have played an integral role in helping to create a sanctuary where the chimpanzees can heal and thrive. They shared this message about today:

“Helton will be 10 years old. He is our only grandson. He loves all animals and misses Emma, our yellow lab. He is an amazing boy with lots of interests, love sports, is on the traveling soccer team, fences, plays baseball, swims, is a voracious reader and is interested in magic. He would love to see CSNW one day.”

Don and Karen, thank you so much for holding the chimpanzees in your heart and including them in your family celebrations. We are thrilled to be celebrating Helton’s special day with you all, he sounds like a special boy.

And Helton, all of us here at the sanctuary wish you the happiest of birthdays filled with adventure and magic! Thanks for sharing your day with the chimpanzees and for seeing how special the animals we share the world with are.

Foxie loves a good adventure:

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Happy Birthday, Steven!

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Debra Durham in honor of Steven Bailor on his birthday! Deb and Steven are long-time friends of the chimpanzees and do so much to help ensure their lifelong well-being. Deb shared this message about today: “It’s Stewie’s birthday. He love the chimps and the good work that you do at the sanctuary, so I know this will make him smile.”

Deb thank you so much for thinking of the chimpanzees in celebrating Steven and his special day! We so appreciate all that you both do to make the lives of so many animal beings better. And Steven, Happy Birthday pant-hoots galore from all of us here at the sanctuary! We hope you have an amazing day!

Burrito:

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Snoozin’

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On this quintessential autumn afternoon most of the chimpanzees are baking in sunny spots while Jamie is walking her caregivers ragged. It’s the most gorgeous day. As I walked up the stairs to the greenhouse it was so quiet and appeared empty so I didn’t expect to find anyone. But just as I rounded the corner I spotted someone on the top platform, where it’s warmest. It’s rare to come upon the chimps when they are sound asleep as they always seem to hear us coming so I was pleasantly surprised to find sweet Annie, fast asleep and hopefully dreaming of all good things. It didn’t take long for her chimp senses to kick in and wake up, but she took her time, enjoying the warm sun and afternoon breeze.

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In other news, we are nearing the end of Great Apes Giving Day with a little less than 3 hours and 15 minutes to go!! As of this posting, thanks to our amazing supporters we have nearly reached our goal of $15,000 with an amazing $13,830!! For all of you who have contributed, thank you SO much!! As one of the smaller sanctuaries participating in this event, this will mean so much for our chimpanzee family. And if you’d still like to participate in support of Annie, Missy, Burrito, Foxie, Jamie, Jody and Negra, we’d so appreciate it. Every donation really does make a difference in their lives.

The neighborhood hot spot

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Most neighborhoods have that spot where all the locals like to gather, right? Well, our current neighborhood hot spot is the small orchard on the property, specifically the pear trees. The leaves are glowing orange and yellow with branches hanging heavy with fruit and a carpet of pears below.

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From top to bottom, all of our wild neighbors are stopping by to try and get them while they can, like these robins.

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A quail pair:

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Mr. Coyote diligently stood guard while the Mrs. did her best to retrieve some from under the fence:

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One of our doe neighbors with her growing fawn are frequent visitors:

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And with most neighborhood hot spots, you might know there is going to be some drama at some point. While Jamie might be boss of the chimp house, it seems Ellie fancies herself the boss of the orchard:

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Chimpanzees living in the wild remember the location of favored food as well, particularly fruit trees. With food sources often being unpredictable and dispersed throughout a large area finding the most productive food resources with the most efficient use of energy and time is essential for any species so there is often a lot of competition for high value food. Thankfully, the chimpanzees here have us humans to deliver the goods so they get to avoid the drama at the local hot spot. Or at least keep it between the family.

Jody savoring the ripe pears:

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Negra:

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Missy:

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Happy Birthday, Michael!

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Arlene Okun in honor of her husband, Michael, on his birthday! Arlene and Michael are good friends of the chimpanzees and we’re so happy to be celebrating with them today. Arlene shared this message:

“It is my husband Michael’s birthday. He is a very generous and compassionate person. Helping others is second nature to him so it is fitting to sponsor a day of sanctuary for the chimps in his honor.”

Arlene, thank you so much for choosing to honor Michael and celebrate his life by making a difference for the chimpanzees. We so appreciate all that you both do to make their lives better.

And Michael, all of us here at CSNW wish you the happiest of days full of all that you most love and enjoy! Burrito, has his priorities straight and knows how to enjoy the simple pleasures each day has to offer. So if you need any ideas on how to celebrate, he might inspire you with some of his favorites:

Food. As much as you can eat. And hold in your hands (and sometimes your feet).

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Be goofy, play, and laugh a lot.

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Spend time with loved ones.

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Go on adventures, even if it’s in your own backyard.

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And nap. Often.

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In memory of Carlene

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Tony Garza and family in memory of his beloved wife, Carlene Olsen-Garza. The Garza family are dear members of our sanctuary family and they have done so much to ensure Carlene’s love for the chimpanzees lives on through all that they do to make the chimps’ lives better. We are so grateful to be a part of all the love and light Carlene and her family bring to the world.

Tony shared this message about today: “Carlene was a stead fast follower of CSNW right up until she lost her battle with cancer on this date in 2014. She was a great admirer of the work that the Sanctuary did and read with great interest anything to do with her three favorites: Jamie, Burrito and Foxie. Today we honor the memory of my dear wife by doing what we can to help the Sanctuary continue its work and achieve its future goals.”

Tony and family, our thoughts are with you all today. We are so touched by all that you do for the chimpanzees in Carlene’s memory and hope that your hearts are eased and comforted in knowing her spirit carries on here at the sanctuary. The dedication and love with which you all make sure that her compassion continues to make a different in the world is truly inspiring. Thank you so much for sponsoring today in her memory.

Jamie:

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Burrito:

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Foxie:

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Taking the high road

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Jamie often likes to meander on her walks around the hill to climb structures, forage, or just check out the happenings in her kingdom. And when she diverts from the path, she expects whomever is accompanying her to wait patiently in the wings until she is ready to resume walking along the perimeter. It’s pretty funny how well she has us conditioned to her expectations, but it’s a joy to be able to watch her enjoy her time as she periodically looks our way to make sure we are still waiting for her.

Since the climbing structure with Carlene’s Tower and Jamie’s Lookout were built for the chimpanzees, this has become one of her favorite detours. She typically leaves us waiting at the top of the hill as she goes to make her way up the ladder to her Lookout, take in the view, cross the shaky bridge to Carlene’s Tower, and then climb back down the other side. She does a quick search in the foliage below and then usually returns to where she left us waiting so we can proceed on the path around Young’s Hill.

Often we walk in silence, occasionally looking across at one another to offer a head nod (or for Jamie to make sure we’re still wearing her boots). When I walk with her I often stop to take photos or look at something, doing my own exploring, and she will wait for me in return. Sometimes the only sound I hear are her footsteps through the grass as we make our way back to the chimp house. It’s a leisurely stroll with a good friend.

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As part of Jamie’s routine she now usually picks up a tumbleweed along the way and carries it back to the chimp house with the plan to groom whatever boots we are wearing with her makeshift tool.

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And then as long as it’s during the day and there’s no threat of it being time to close off Young’s Hill for the evening, Jamie often gathers her boots and blankets for a quick nap until it’s time to set off for the next walk.

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