Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Katelyn

Thank you, Anthony!

by

Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Anthony Blasioli! Anthony, thank you so much for your long time support of the chimpanzees and for thinking of them and giving them a special day today!

Here, Anthony’s Pals, Burrito and Annie (with Negra in foreground), hug each other in reassurance on their first day on Young’s Hill. While this is an older photograph, it’s power to speak to the gift of sanctuary never lessens. Almost three years later, Burrito, increasingly courageous, walks the perimeter of Young’s Hill with Jamie. And Annie, increasingly comfortable in solitude, can often be found sitting at the very top of the hill on her own, enjoying spring grass (when she’s not chasing her best friend, Missy, of course). We are so grateful to Anthony, and everyone who makes sanctuary possible for the chimpanzees.

web2 Burrito Annie hug Negra foreground youngs hill release day first time yh DSC_0740

Happy Birthday, Lisa!

by

Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Richard Stuverud in honor of his wife, Lisa’s, birthday! Richard shared this beautiful message:

“I want you to know that the ongoing life adventures of “the seven” has touched my wife deeply and over the years she has become attached to and moved by these beautiful chimpanzees. The labor of love that is so much a part of your lives has, in its own way, become a part of hers. Her life has truly been enriched by observing the incredible effort, dedication and love shown by all of you in support of CSNW…therefore I want to honor her birthday by sponsoring a day.”

Your Pal, Jamie:

web_Jamie_wear_troll_scarf_recorder_in_mouth_enrichment_PR_ek_IMG_0664

Richard and Lisa, we are so touched by your lovely words and full of gratitude for all you do to make the chimpanzees’ lives better. Lisa, all of us here at CSNW hope your day is as wonderful as the many days of celebration and love you’ve provided for the chimpanzees (and full of lots of pant hoots and food squeaks!).  Happy Birthday!!

Still life with Missy

by

If you are a regular follower of the blog you probably realize it’s a rare moment that we catch Missy sitting still. Just yesterday I saw her on Young’s Hill trying to climb the very uncooperative and very bendy bamboo. She finally gave up, leapt into the air and spun 360 degrees before landing, and then ran back down the hill at full speed.

Today all the chimpanzees have been enjoying a leisurely day of lounging, grooming, and napping. And even the ever-moving Missy decided to take a few minutes to relax. But Missy still throws a little of her own flare into relaxing. While she is having a Missy-style quiet moment in these photos, (and what I unfortunately couldn’t capture with the camera) she is simultaneously tapping her best pal, Annie, on the head as Annie bites Missy’s toes.

web_Missy_gh_look_to_side_kd_IMG_0412

web_Missy_gh_sit_by_post_kd_IMG_0415

web_Missy_look_up_gh_kd_IMG_0418

web_Missy_up_close_gh_look_to_side_kd_IMG_0419

web_Missy_up_close_gh_look_camera_kd_IMG_0420

The last day of winter!

by

Finally, the official end to winter is upon us and the first day of spring arrives tomorrow! The chimpanzees have been very quiet today and have spent most of the day lounging in the warm greenhouse and playroom, in between “sun showers” and brief runs on Young’s Hill. There has been a lot of grooming with each other and their caregivers, stretching out lazily in cozy nests, and just gazing out the windows. Jamie, of course, has still managed to get several walks around the hill in with her caregivers. In between projects of her own making she has also successfully managed to keep track of everyone else and what we are all doing. It’s hard work being the boss. But her ability to pull it all off as only Jamie can is never questioned.

web_jamie_beautiful_rm4_window_kd_IMG_0024

I can’t wait to see what another spring in sanctuary brings for the chimpanzees and their lives. Something tells me it’s going to bring even more forms of growth and renewal for them.

Spring and Missy have sprung

by

The chimpanzees (and humans) are continuing to enjoy the arrival of warmer spring days and many forages on Young’s Hill. Missy, never one to miss an adventurous moment, has been warming up her fire hose tightrope walking skills:

web_missy_climb_fire_hose_tight_rope_taken_from_visitor_platform_YH_jb_IMG_7953

I particularly love her great form in this photo:

web_missy_climb_fire_hose_tight_rope_taken_from_visitor_platform_YH_jb_IMG_7954

web_missy_climb_fire_hose_tight_rope_taken_from_visitor_platform_YH_jb_IMG_7955

During one of the forages, Missy spotted a piece of corn on the cob which had gone unnoticed. Corn on the cob is a highly prized favorite among the chimpanzees and you can see her casually looking around to make sure it’s OK for her to take it, before scooping it up:

web_missy_look_out_forage_YH_dm_IMG_7877

web_missy_look_toward_camera_YH_dm_IMG_7878

Here she is enjoying some of her spoils as she relaxes in the sun:

web_missy_eat_forage_log_YH_dm_IMG_7915

web_missy_eat_forage_log_YH_dm_IMG_7922

It was warm enough yesterday that we were even able to open the barn doors at the end of the playroom. When these doors are open, the chimps have a view of part of their garden and it’s a great spot to sit in the afternoon sun. Most of the chimps get pretty excited when the doors are open, but Missy in particular loves it! She asks us to open them all winter long, as if she hopes it might be spring out that side of the building, and it’s always hard to tell her we have to wait for warmer weather. Needless to say, between forages, tightrope walking, an open air playroom, and countless adventures, Missy seems pretty thrilled that spring has sprung at the sanctuary.

Today is for all the primates of CSNW!

by

Today was sponsored by Patty Wilkerson, in honor of the chimpanzees and the staff of Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest! Patty wants the chimpanzees to have a party but she threw in the condition that the humans must have a party right alongside them! So we are all going to enjoy simultaneous lunch forages today!

Patty is a wonderful, long-time volunteer and friend of ours who comes all the way up from California to help out in the chimp house. As if that weren’t enough, she is always thinking of all of us here and how she can make our lives better. I think I speak for all of us when I say we (the humans) always want everything to be for the chimpanzees. But we are all so touched by your kind gift and thoughts, Patty, thank you so much!! All the primates here at CSNW are so lucky to have you!

Patty’s Pal, Negra, knows how to enjoy herself:

Negra looking at camera with night bag

Today is for Sandy and Ed!

by

Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Kim Fuqua in honor of Sandy and Ed Hiersche! Kim shared the following message for her family:

“Congratulations, Mom and Ed! This day is for you and the chimps, in celebration of your 22 years of marriage and Ed’s retirement after 34 years at Northland. We love you!”

Kim, Sandy and Ed, you have so many wonderful things to celebrate and we are touched that you chose to include the chimpanzees in your special day! Thank you so much!! All of us here at CSNW wish you many years ahead of comfort, joy, and contentment.

Negra:

web Negra sit tall green grass look toward camera Young's Hill YH IMG_8008