Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Katelyn

The lush life

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Today has been steamy and warm, dark skies threatening to rain in between bursts of hot sun, but not a drop has fallen. Life is full and lush this time of year. It feels as though you could see things grow if you watched close enough. The air is heavily scented with wildflowers and woven with the trilling of birds, the hum of honeybees, and the slow whine of grasshoppers.

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Our bluebird pair, despite being gifted with some lovely bluebird houses made by Daniel Anderman and kindly donated to the sanctuary by he and his family, have seemingly chosen to nest on Young’s Hill. Not the wisest choice, but so far they’ve gone undisturbed by the chimpanzees:

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While all this was happening outside, this was happening inside: Foxie napping.

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When Foxie is happy and content she rubs her toes together. I wonder what she was dreaming about?

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It must have been an adventure, because minutes after these photos were taken, Foxie suddenly woke up, swung through the greenhouse with her hair standing on end (pilo erect), Dora the Explorer in hand, and marched with purpose toward Young’s Hill. Her behavior was the same she exhibits when she wants her caregivers to chase her, but what happened next? Everyone, even Jamie, suddenly fell in line behind this mighty little lady with a purpose, as she led them out onto Young’s Hill.

Foxie and Dora lead the way with Jamie, Jody, and Burrito following:

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Foxie, Jamie and Jody:

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Annie and Missy bringing up the rear (Negra was fast asleep in her nest for this adventure):

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Everyone began to disappear into the tall, lush grass as they foraged for wild plants. Occasionally, I caught glimpses of them in between the structures and bamboo.

Jamie and Foxie:

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Burrito:

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Foxie:

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Missy:

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Jamie:

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Who knows what, if anything, Foxie may have been dreaming about before leading the way onto the hill, but it brings to mind the words of Thoreau, “Our truest life is when we are in dreams awake.”

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Waiting for the rain to stop

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As is happening in many parts of the world, we’re have already been experiencing a dry start to the season. The past couple of days have brought much needed rain to the area and while the humans are thrilled, the chimp house has been particularly quiet today. In between rain showers, several of the chimpanzees have enjoyed quick jaunts around Young’s Hill while trying to avoid the tall, lush (but very wet) grass. They’ve been up for one lap at a time and then quickly return to the chimp house and tuck away in corners for a nap.

Missy has spent much of her time at the top of the greenhouse, her little runner’s legs stretched out before her, as she watched the rain fall over Young’s Hill from the comfort of her nest.

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These feet!

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Just waiting for that break between showers, she decided to make herself really cozy:

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Watching and waiting patiently:

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At last:

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Today is for Jody!

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Tracy Headley in honor of her chimpanzee pal, Jody, for Jody’s 40th birthday! Jody was born in 1975, we believe in the wild. Although we don’t know Jody’s actual day of birth, we chose Mother’s Day as her honorary birthday in honor of the nine babies that she gave birth to while in biomedical research and was never allowed to raise. You can learn more about Jody’s life before arriving at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest here.

Jody’s (and all of the chimpanzees’) histories are heartbreaking. But despite experiencing the unthinkable trauma of being stolen from her own mother as a child, and subsequently not being allowed the right to raise her own children, Jody’s ability to enjoy each day in her sanctuary home is an inspiration.

Jody is a strong, intelligent, beautiful woman. She is an independent spirit and does exactly as she chooses in each moment, whether spending her time luxuriating in amazing nests, foraging for wild greens on Young’s Hill, or ever increasingly, playing with her chimpanzee family.

Some “Jody-isms” we love: she has a habit of making sure each of the other chimpanzees are accounted for when we are shifting the chimps for cleaning or meals, and she often sits in the doorway letting us know when anyone is still on the way. When all else fails, she will go and collect them. She often carries her elaborate nests from area to area when we shift the chimps (or will come running back for them) and if any blankets happen to drop in the doorway along the way, she is usually willing to come back when we ask and remove them so we can close the door. Usually. And while Jody doesn’t have a lot of need for the humans, there’s nothing better than her greeting us with a “butt bounce” when she’s happy to see us.

Tracy, thank you so much for sponsoring such a special day for such a special chimpanzee woman. Happy Birthday, Jody!! We love you!! And Happy Mother’s Day to mommas of all species!

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Today is for Toby

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by dear friends of the chimpanzees and humans alike, Pam Lehnert and Marc Warner, in honor of their beloved pup, Toby. Pam shared this touching message about Toby:

“Today celebrates the 1-year anniversary of adopting Toby, our 1 1/2 year-old lab mix puppy. Toby has many ties to CSNW, as our friend Jamie Davis (husband of former CSNW Executive Director, Sarah Baeckler) worked at the Oregon Humane Society and “found” Toby for us just days after last year’s “HOOT” gala; Toby’s favorite sitter is CSNW staff member Katelyn; and he has become best friends with Wilson and Abbey, JB and Diana’s dogs they adopted last year. Seeing these three shelter pups thrive in their forever homes is another example of “HOPE. LOVE. HOME… SANCTUARY”. Watching the progress of each of the chimps these past seven years at CSNW made for an easy choice to only consider adopting from a shelter when we decided to add to our pet family. Our lives are made richer every day by Toby – and everyone at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest.” 

Pam and Marc jokingly referred to themselves as “foster failures” after adopting Toby’s feline sibling, Chloe. Immediately smitten with this saucy lady, their foster home quickly became Chloe’s forever home. The individualized love and care Pam and Marc provide Toby and Chloe is truly heartwarming to see. All of our lives here are made richer for knowing this wonderful family.

Pam and Marc, thank you so much for all you do for all those around you, to make their lives better, both human and non. We truly appreciate you! And thank you for thinking of the chimpanzees in celebration of Toby’s new life!

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Toby and his best friends, Wilson and Abbey:

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And another guy who loves to play, Burrito:

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Photo shoot to photo bomb

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Missy isn’t typically one to sit and have her photo taken. She isn’t really a fan of the camera and let’s be honest, she has better things to do, places to go, and chimp friends to chase. But for whatever reason she was quite tolerant of me with the camera this morning as we sat in the sun together.

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What isn’t seen in the above photos is Missy’s best friend, Annie, who was doing her absolute best to get Missy to play while I was taking these photos. Missy remained so poised, ignoring Annie’s efforts to engage her with play slapping, play biting, and stomping. That is until Annie decided to just photo bomb the photo shoot, hence, the blur of Annie’s face to the right of the photos below:

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Of course, Missy couldn’t resist Annie’s attempts to play after this, not to mention it’s a little hard to pose for the camera when your friend is biting your hand.

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If peace had a face…and toes

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The chimpanzees have all appeared particularly serene and at peace today. It’s a beautiful spring day, but the wind is especially cold and everyone has spent a lot of time lounging in the warm greenhouse as they looked out over Young’s Hill.

While we often try to imagine what these moments must feel like to the chimpanzees after decades of trauma and uncertainty, I doubt we ever fully could. I am grateful and hopeful that with each passing day these moments outweigh those that came before. And I am grateful and hopeful that these faces (and toes) say it’s so.

Annie:

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Annie feet:

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Burrito:

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Foxie:

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Jody:

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Missy:

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Jamie was tucked away in a cozy nest in the front rooms, one arm splayed out over her eyes and the other hugging her boots to her chest, sound asleep. Unfortunately, not a spot the camera can get.

And you’ll never believe who the chimpanzees were watching from the comfort of the toasty greenhouse…

Negra. Hair blowing in the wind, the hill to herself, and how peace looked for her today.

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In memory of Bill Blackburn

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Today’s day of sanctuary was generously sponsored by Darrell and Leissa Fode in memory of Bill Blackburn. They shared this message about Bill and their gift for the chimpanzees:

“We have chosen this day in memory of Bill Blackburn’s recent passing. He was the loving father of a dear friend, Natalie Oliphant. Who better to honour him than the adorable chimps at CSNW.”

Darrell and Leissa, thank you so much for thinking of the chimpanzees as you remember Bill and celebrate his life. All of us here at CSNW send our deepest sympathy to Natalie for the loss of her father, and to you both and all who loved him. We wish you all comfort and peace during this difficult time and are so happy to be able to honor Bill’s life here today.

A moment of serenity for Annie:

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