Katelyn

In memory of Jack Boshak

January 13, 2022 by Katelyn

Heartfelt thanks to Danna Boshak, one of our wonderful pre-pandemic interns turned volunteers from afar, for sponsoring this special day of sanctuary in memory of her father, Jack:

“On January 13, 2021 we lost my father, Jack Boshak. Although he hated that I was 3000 miles away in Washington state, he was nothing but supportive of my decision to go back to school to study primate behavior. He loved hearing about Boss Jamie and was getting more interested in Honey B. As the father of four daughters it’s no wonder he was drawn to the strong women at the chimp house! When I returned to Washington, the first time I went back to CSNW to make paper braids in the shed Jamie was outside on Young’s Hill staring at my car as I pulled into the parking lot. It’s like she was knew I had sad news to share with her. She invited me to take a walk with her and then challenged me to a race down the hill. Or course she won the race, but I was the winner for having that special moment with Jamie to help me through a time of grief. Thank you to all the chimps at CSNW for being such a light for me and a huge thank you to the staff for all of your hard work and for sharing your knowledge with me.”

Danna, I remember the days that you’d drive out, sequestered in the shed, graciously making enrichment for the chimpanzees, always, still, helping from afar however you can. Thank you for continuing to help make so much possible in the chimpanzees’ days and lives, and for allowing us to share in this honoring of your father. All of us here are sending you and your family all the good thoughts for your hearts to find some ease and comfort, and hopefully, moments of joyful memories today. We are thinking of you and appreciate all you’ve done to bring joy to the chimpanzees’ lives. And I’d like to think Jamie, too, is revisiting memories of summertime races around the hill with friends as she waits patiently for winter to have its say, and for spring to return.

Honey B and Mave:

January Birthdays and Rowdy Chimps

January 2, 2022 by Katelyn

We say it every year (or at least I do), but “Can you believe it’s a new year?! Can you believe it’s January?!” And this in turn leads my mind to January birthdays! You, our amazing supporters, have helped end an incredible year and begin another hopeful one having made so much possible in the chimpanzees and bovines lives. From our hearts, thank you for your support, in it’s myriad of forms. And to those of you celebrating January birthdays, Happy Birthday month to you from all of us here!

Prepare yourselves to take your celebrations to the next level if you want to keep up with January birthday guy, Burrito! We’ll be celebrating Burrito’s 39th birthday this Thursday, January 5th! Chad is making plans as I type. And if all goes as planned, “Pasta-cam” will be making an appearance! (Of course, remember, chimps have their own ideas about things. 😉 ).

Burrito is way too busy for photos as he is keeping a close eye on the neighbors:

And on January 29, beautiful Rayne turns 32! We are so excited to celebrate her first birthday here with us!

In other news, at this very moment, the chimpanzees are pure wild and the chimp house is rumbling in all directions. Unbelievably, Willy B ventured into the chilly outdoors of the chute and the seven erupted as if they’d never once in their lives seen this guy before. (Or for all I know, they might have been yelling at him to get back inside where it was warm!).

After stirring that pot, Willy B decided to venture back indoors where he could rile up his roommates, Mave and Honey B, who are less than pleased with him at the moment. As the seven decide to continue yelling from their side, in turn, the six are yelling at their loud neighbors on the other side. Normal chimpanzee politics? Cabin fever? One guy named Willy B looking to add some excitment to the afternoon? Only they know. It keeps things interesting for them and us, I suppose.

We remain wrapped in our arctic freeze, but to be honest, after awhile you don’t even think about it anymore until you catch yourself stepping outside to make snow snacks for the chimps, or chase Burrito around the outside of the greenhouse. Or in today’s case, in which we allegedly have a whopper of a snowstorm coming in overnight. But truth be told, I love winter. While the sometimes white-knuckle drives and extra work that comes with winter can be, well, a lot, it redeems itself in my heart again and again with the silence of falling snow, enchanting and ever-changing ice formations, clearest of cold meteor strewn night skies, and the saturated blues of dawn and dusk. I often think of the chimpanzees, gratefully tucked safe and warm into their nests, wondering if they are watching the same winter enchantments from their windows, new to some, familiar to others.

Well, it’s dinnertime and the chimp house is erupting for different reasons. Rest well, friends, and we’ll see you back here same place, same time tomorrow! May this year ahead hold countless moments of beauty, joy, comfort, ease, and magic for us all.

Happy Winter Solstice!

December 21, 2021 by Katelyn

Many thanks to Dylan Most who sponsored this day of sanctuary for the chimpanzees and bovines and wishes all, “Happy Winter Solstice!”

This special day, when the wheel turns from autumn to winter (or spring to summer, as the hemispherical case may be for our southerly friends) and the gradual return of light begins. It’s difficult to remember that we technically haven’t already been in winter for some time here at the sanctuary. The past couple of days have found some of the chimpanzees enjoying frequent on-demand snow snack service from the humans, others snuggled close together napping and grooming in cozy nests, and yet others still enjoying their new found discovery of the movie, “Ice Age” (shhh, don’t tell Willy B the neighbors were watching his stories!).

Happy Solstice, Merry Winter, Dylan, and all! May your days be full of the coziness, comfort, magic and adventure that you make possible for all at this beloved sanctuary home.