Katelyn

Happy Birthday, December-born friends!

I had to scan the calendar and check it twice 😉 to make sure I was actually seeing that there are no chimpanzee or bovine birthday twins sharing the month of December with you! Here at the sanctuary, that is.

I’m a fan of the written and spoken word, but often there’s nothing that speaks truer than true than what can only be felt in our hearts. We hope you always feel down to your bones how immeasurably grateful we are to each of you for all you bring, all you share, and all you make possible in the lives of those who call the sanctuary home. For just being here. For just being you. We celebrate you every single day.

Of course we have no shortage of celebrations this time of year (or ever!), including the winter solstice, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year’s Eve, and all manner of ways in which we choose to celebrate and honor what we hold dear, in our own way, or not. This time of year comes with all the feels, doesn’t it? Joy, stress, anticipation, dread, magic, sorrow, and wonder, all stuffed into a huge rumpled bag we find ourselves hefty overhead with the bursting hearts and strength of ten Grinches on some days, to dragging it behind while it bumps into our backsides on other days. But because of each of your hearts, no matter what is or isn’t happening in our individual and collective lives, sixteen chimpanzees, four bovines, and one barn cat get to live in a world of wonder, adventure, comfort, friendship, love, and choices, through every season, through every day.

Beautiful Lucky under the Christmas lights:

Some of these photos go waaay back, but when this time of year rolls around there are a handful that always come to my mind and bring a smile to my face, every one full of some kind of wonder. I hope they bring that to you all as well.

Foxie and the faux fireplace!:

Missy used to choose to throw on a sock or two as a sure sign she was ready to play. She chooses to don them less frequently now, but just look at her wonderful little runner’s legs!:

Dear Jody, potato in one hand, Hawaiian roll in the other, a woman after my own heart. Her face!:

We’re often asked how the chimpanzees react to the snow and cold typical of our winters here in the Washington Cascades. Does Annie’s group miss the more easeful days of warmer weather and the freedom in exploring every inch of Young’s Hill? Probably. But are they incredibly courageous, resilient, intelligent and curious beings? Unbelievably so!

Enrichment comes in endless forms. While we cannot keep all of their outdoor habitat snow-free, we do our best to keep paths to many of the structures shoveled and lined with straw and I can tell you they don’t hesitate to go out. More than anyone else I know, the chimpanzees seem to embrace whatever comes their way. We can’t wait to see what Cy’s group chooses to do when their outdoor habitat, The Bray, is complete (it’s so close!!…but, an intermission for winter!).

Jamie and Annie improving upon the humans’ shoveling one year:

Annie!:

Missy, Annie, Jamie, and Jody during a past winter before the recent Young’s Hill expansion:

Negra (yep, you read that correctly, Negra!), Missy, Annie, Foxie and Jamie (with shovel in hand 🙂 ) heading up the hill together:

Jamie during one of last year’s icicle harvests:

It’s taken a bit of time, naturally, for Willy B’s group to see the benefits of snow, but much to our delight (as we keep sharing this photo!) this year they seem to have decided it’s acceptable snack material. (And if you missed this gem of a blog post starring the Ice Bandit, I will leave it right here):

This will be Willy B’s group’s first winter holiday season celebrating together as nine! We are unspeakably proud of the courage, patience and kindness these nine individuals have shown as they continue to navigate their newish lives here together. Like any group of people living together, it’s not without it’s chimpanzee-style bumps, but the friendships and personalities we seeing blooming are the best gifts we could hope for for them.

I have to say, through all the gratitude and relief felt in seeing these nine individuals safe in their new lives here, I don’t think it was ever far from any of our minds that there were still so many other chimpanzees awaiting their own sanctuary homes after the former Wildlife Waystation (where all nine of Willy B’s group spent the majority of their lives) unexpectedly closed in 2019. But through the continued support of so many, the Chimpanzees in Need campaign led by NAPSA (North American Primate Sanctuary Alliance) is, quite incredibly, looking toward being able to place the final two chimpanzees remaining there, Amber and Mousse, in their new home at Chimp Haven in Louisiana, right behind 8 others who recently arrived.

Everyone. Home. What a profound relief it will be. And as all these individuals look toward their new lives, we send special thoughts and thanks to everyone, but especially their caregivers, who have stayed with them, dedicated to keeping them safe and well all these many years and whose hearts must be feeling so much.

Handsome Cy:

The love that is “Mora” (besties, Mave and Dora):

Lucky, Dora, and Rayne:

Honey B and her beloved Wolf blankets:

Honey B, surrounded by her new family, including Gordo, Rayne and Terry:

Betsy, her son, Nutmeg, Meredith and her mama, Honey:

Barn Kitty:

Last, but not remotely least, while we may not have any residents here at the sanctuary celebrating a December birthday, there is a very special person who resides at Save the Chimps in Florida who will be celebrating her birthday on December 21st. I have a special beat in my heart for the chimpanzees’ children and I always marvel at how much they often resemble one another, but at just-so-angles, these two in particular always fill me with awe. This is Foxie’s daughter, beautiful Angie (the 1st), who will be turning 35. Happy Birthday, Angie!:

Her mama, Foxie!:

Happy birthdays! Happy holidays! Merry winter (or summer as the case may be)! And even (or especially) an all hail the Grinch!

There is wonder to be found everywhere. As one of my favorite poets and current US Poet Laureate, Ada Limón, wrote in her beautiful poem, The Last Thing, “I can’t help it. I will never get over making everything such a big deal.”

Burrito feet: