Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Katelyn

Come on an adventure with Missy!

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The wild greens growing on Young’s Hill are in full bloom, practically covering the chimps’ structures in certain areas. When the chimps decide to go foraging, it’s difficult to even see them in the tall growth.

Jamie and I headed out for a walk around the hill this afternoon, her following the path she’s worn down walking, and me following the path the humans have worn down accompanying her. At the last minute Missy came running out of the greenhouse after us, taking a pit stop in the shade of one of the structures. Missy often likes to wait for us to reach the top of the hill so she can (naturally) run all the way after us.

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Once Jamie and I reached the top of the hill, Missy decided to brave the heat and made a mad dash behind us to forage in the largest wild mustard patch:

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One can imagine the awe she must feel looking at all that’s available to her:

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She was beside herself after collecting her huge feast of wild greens and ran straight to the new climbing structure to enjoy them while taking in the view. I could just make out her food grunts of happiness:

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I didn’t notice until writing this, but you can just see Foxie and Mademoiselle Dora (down in the lower right corner) photo-bombing. (Yes, when I arrived this morning I found them happily reunited.) 🙂

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Mademoiselle Foxie et Mademoiselle Dora

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We never know why Foxie chooses one troll or Dora doll over another. It’s a love only she defines. Of all the Dora dolls she loves, one of her absolute favorites has always been “France Dora.” Her most recent was just gifted to her by very good friends of the chimpanzees (and humans!), Syd and Diane Marcus:

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I am not sure if it’s the jaunty beret, the classic attire, or just a certain “je ne sais quoi,” but to say Foxie loves this particular Dora is an understatement. The second she saw us bring her in, her hair stood on end (pilo-erect) in excitement and she play-thumped the ceiling repeatedly as she ran toward us. Foxie often likes us to play chase with her new dolls for a few minutes before giving them to her, but where Mademoiselle Dora is concerned, she often asks for her straight away. Foxie’s routine (as it is with most new “babies”) is to gaze at them in adoration and awe, kiss/groom them with her lips and then rub them on her belly.

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And she will carry “France Dora” with her for days. We typically cannot get away with throwing Mademoiselle Dora in with the rest of the enrichment to be cleaned each day (because Foxie doesn’t let go of her). We have to wait for her to play toss the Dora with us and then take the opportunity to give her a quick bath, and get her back to Foxie ASAP. And this often involves Foxie blowing raspberries of discontent at us the entire time, letting us know we better be fast about it. Needless to say, Dora quickly loses her “je ne sais quoi,” but hair askew, cute attire gone, and worse for the wear, Foxie’s love will not wane.

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As a side note, who other than Queen Negra also took a fancy to Mademoiselle Dora and arrived at breakfast this morning carrying her! Negra even decided to hold onto Dora for awhile and nest with her, despite Foxie trying every trick in the book to get her back. Mademoiselle Dora is apparently quite popular. We will try to keep you posted as this latest drama unfolds. 🙂

Happy Birthday, Donna!

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Donna Dinsmore! Today is Donna’s birthday and each year she chooses to celebrate by gifting the chimpanzees with a special day to celebrate with her!

Donna, thank you so much for holding the chimpanzees in your heart today, and throughout the years. There is much to celebrate in life and we are so touched that you would celebrate your own special life by making a difference in the chimps. We hope you have the happiest birthday yet and that each year is better than possibly imagined. Just like the chimpanzees!

Gorgeous Annie:

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Happy Birthday, Karen!

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Julie Olson, in honor of her sister, Karen Olson, for her birthday! Julie shared this wonderful message about Karen:

“I want to honor my sister Karen Olson on her birthday. Having a day sponsored for the chimps on her birthday was number one on her list of birthday presents! My sister is the biggest animal lover I know and she is the one who told me I had to watch the news story about the chimps arrival 7 years ago. Her devotion to animals is incredible!”

Julie and Karen, we are so touched that you have both followed the chimpanzees since the beginning of their lives in sanctuary and continue to hold them in your hearts. Julie, thank you for sponsoring this day in celebration of your sister! Karen, may your day be filled with love, serenity and all the things you find joy in. Happy Birthday from all of the primates here at CSNW!!

Beautiful Jody, always seems to find joy in her life:

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Today is in honor of Hercules and Leo

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Danielle Gorshein in honor of the chimpanzees, Hercules and Leo. Danielle shared the following message about today:

“I am so inspired by the work of Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest. I have been a supporter for a while and recently read about two chimpanzee’s Hercules and Leo who are being held by SUNY Stony Brook in New York and there is work being done to free them. I feel terrible about this and sponsoring a day in honor of them is the least I can do. I am so happy you have a safe place for these special 7 to live out their days knowing what it means to be loved.”

Danielle, thank you so much for your compassion and desire to follow issues faced by our fellow primates! The case of Hercules and Leo is amazing and it’s thrilling to see such a shift and expansion in thoughts and attitudes occurring. We are so touched that you would think of the “Cle Elum Seven” in honoring Hercules and Leo today. We hold Hercules and Leo, and all those awaiting their life in sanctuary, in our hearts and minds.

You can learn more about the work of the Nonhuman Rights Project and the case of Hercules and Leo here.

May all beings awaiting their sanctuary one day soon have a world view beyond their wildest imagination:

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Happy Birthday, Carrie!

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Sylvia Gandolfo “in honor of Carrie Miller’s birthday and her lifelong, unwavering efforts to advocate for the rights of chimps and all species that share this planet with us.”

Sylvia and Carrie, thank you so much for being such good friends and pals to the chimpanzees and always keeping them in your hearts. It means the world to us, and the chimpanzees, that you choose to make their lives better when celebrating each of your own.

Carrie, we hope you have a beautiful day filled with all the things that mean sanctuary to you! Happy Birthday pant-hoots from all of us at CSNW!

The ever-charming Burrito:

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Foxie’s in charge now!

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The chimpanzees were ready and waiting for the door to Young’s Hill to be opened this morning after breakfast. With chow bags in hand, they all filed out of the raceway and headed straight for their new climbing structure. And Foxie was leading the way, with purpose and intent in every step! Everyone else just fell in behind her, even boss lady, Jamie.

Foxie, followed by Annie, Burrito, Missy:

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Jamie catches up (crossing over the log):

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Look at these chimps! Jody joins the troop in the lower right corner:

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And today, Negra brought up the rear! She remained a rebel and chose not the follow the others initially, instead sticking closer to the greenhouse to forage in the grass:

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Foxie was the first to climb the tower as well, and all except Negra joined her under the roof as they ate their chow together. I can’t express how amazing it was seeing them all sitting together in perfect calm and peace, taking in their new view. Unfortunately, by the time I reached them with the camera, all had started heading back down the hill except Jamie:

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Once again, even the boss was following Foxie:

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But who do you think I spotted walking out from under the new structure? Oh, just Negra! Today she decided to see what all the fuss was about I guess and although she didn’t climb the structure, the fact that she walked all the way to the top of the hill to see it was incredible. As she calmly ambled back down the hill she was beside herself at finding a huge patch of wild mustard to eat:

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I could barely see her, but she finally peeked out at me:

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The chimps have spent the entire day traipsing all the way up to the new structure, hanging out on the towers, and then coming back down and cooling off with a nap in the cooler play room. I think they may be adjusting to the additional exercise! Once rested they would all head back up again. And so it was all day. Play, repeat, play, repeat.

At the end of the day we had a gorgeous thunderstorm roll through. I went out to check on the chimpanzees as they typically head for the chimp house at the first sound of thunder. Almost everyone was back in the greenhouse, even Jamie, but when I looked up at the towers I spotted Foxie, Annie and Missy, showing no fear or nervousness, seemingly watching the storm in awe. I couldn’t believe it!

Annie and Missy chose the covered tower to observe from:

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And Foxie? Out in the open, all on her own, braving a thunder clap as she peeked over the edge of the railing. I adore this photo:

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My heart has been full to bursting all day at the sight of the chimpanzees embracing their new options with such courage, determination, security and joy. I keep thinking about the contrast their view of the world held seven years ago, living in a windowless basement in cages no bigger than a bathroom stall. Imagine the awe and wonder they must feel now.

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