Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Katelyn

Thank you, Donna and Doreen!

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Today was sponsored by Donna and Doreen Hughes in celebration of two of their greatest loves, Foxie Chimpanzee and the Big Apple! (Well, maybe three loves if we include troll dolls!) Donna and Doreen feel (rightly so) that Foxie, being Foxie, should celebrate her birthday and her troll doll lovin’ self all month long! Today is also the anniversary of Donna and Doreen’s move to New York City which they celebrate every year because of how much they love living there.

Donna and Doreen are two fabulous ladies who have been long time supporters of the sanctuary and all Great Apes. As much as they adore the “Big Apple” they feel it is important to have nature in our lives and to care for all the amazing beings we co-exist with here on planet Earth. Thanks for keeping Foxie’s party going, Donna and Doreen, and Happy Anniversary! It’s so kind of you to include Foxie and her family in your special day.

Here are Foxie and Dora hanging out on Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest’s version of a skyscraper.

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And Foxie and her troll taking a stroll in her own “Central Park.”

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Jamie’s creative expression

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Like most artists, Jamie chooses to express her creative mind in a variety of ways. Jamie spent the first nine years of her life living with a human as a “pet” and being used in the entertainment industry. While we know virtually nothing about this time in Jamie’s life, she often chooses to engage in human oriented activities, most likely as a result of her unnatural childhood. For example, today Jamie chose to arrive for lunch wearing a red bandana tied around her neck (which she untied and re-adjusted half way through her meal). While we certainly do not advocate for chimpanzees being dressed in clothing, here at CSNW we do try to offer a variety of enrichment (including clothing) to accommodate their individuals interests. If the chimpanzees want to wear things, tear them up, play tug-o-war, make a nest with them, or ignore them, it’s their choice. Choice being the key word here. We recognize that each of the chimpanzees have unnatural histories which have influenced their individual interests and that plays a key role in developing individualized enrichment to keep their intelligent minds active.

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Notice the perfect knot Jamie incorporated into her bandana!

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Jamie chooses to wear clothing less and less since arriving at the sanctuary. While we want Jamie and her family to be able to engage in whatever interests them, it also thrills us to see their unique “chimpanzee-ness” coming out more and more. For Jamie, that sometimes still means wearing a bandana to lunch, patrolling the perimeter of Young’s Hill with her cowgirl boot, and occasionally drawing and painting when there is no “business” to take care of as Boss of the sanctuary. And that’s what sanctuary is all about, choices and the ability to express one’s self as one wants. And the art of expressing herself as she wants is something Jamie is a true artist at.

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If you haven’t cast your vote for Jamie’s artwork yet in the Humane Society’s chimpanzee-only art contest, please do so now! It’s a wonderful way to help our artist-in-residence and her chimpanzee family!

Happy Birthday, Lindsay!

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Today was sponsored in honor of Lindsay Zager by her parents who shared the following sentiments:

“This is in honor of our beautiful daughter, Lindsay’s, birthday! Lindsay’s passion for chimpanzees has motivated and inspired many to learn and know and LOVE the world of these amazing primates. We thank you and love you sweet girl! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!”

Thank you so much to the Zager family for caring about the chimpanzees and including them in your special day. Have a wonderful day, Lindsay!

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Happy Birthday, Foxie!

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Today was sponsored by Tracy Headley in honor of her Chimpanzee Pal, Foxie! Foxie turns 37 years old today, although she has the spirit of a juvenile chimpanzee! Despite all she has endured in life, she brings so much joy to those around her, human and non-human alike. All the primates here at CSNW are gearing up for a big celebration so be sure to tune in later today for photos of the festivities. Tracy, thank you so much for thinking of Foxie and for helping us provide all of the chimpanzees with a special day!

Foxie and Dora

Eyes wide shut

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The chimpanzees have been feeling pretty snoozy this afternoon. One minute they would be watching us from their comfy nests, and the next they were fast asleep.

Jamie

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Burrito

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And Negra

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Maybe they are all resting up in anticipation of the big celebration tomorrow. Foxie turns 37 and the party preparations are under way as I type!

 

 

 

 

Just sittin’ around

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Many of us are aware of how much we have in common with chimpanzees. But even as caregivers who get to spend our days with the chimpanzees, we often do a double take when we see them exhibiting behaviors or postures we see as particularly human. It has been a hot and easy going day at the sanctuary today and the chimpanzees have spent most of their time lounging in various positions in the greenhouse. Diana caught Annie looking as though she wished she had a pool to dip her toes into.

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Happy Birthday, Julie!

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Today was sponsored for the chimpanzees by Julie Sweet. Julie shared the following:

“Today is my birthday and one of the best gifts I’ve received is the chance to visit the chimps. Thanks so much to the staff and volunteers for all of your hard work caring for the chimps. You are an inspiration!”

Julie, what a lovely gift to give on your own birthday! Thank you so much for caring about the chimps and giving them a special day. We hope your own celebration is full of Burrito style pant hoots and food squeaks!

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