Katelyn

The Season of Jamieween

October 11, 2021 by Katelyn

These autumn days are a breathtaking mix of fire-colored foliage and bluebird skies, all in a swirl of incredibly chilly temperatures and wind. As we’ve been mentioning on the blog recently, the chimpanzees have been spending a good part of their days in the warmer, sunlight-filled indoor areas to start their days, but once the sun gets high enough in the afternoon, they typically move out to the greenhouses where they can bask in sun puddles before it quickly cools off again.

I found Jamie in the sunbeams at the top of the greenhouse in all her glory, half dozing and half making plans for her afternoon. I’m not sure there’s ever a time that Jamie is *not* in all her glory, or is *not* making plans, but it is the Season of Jamieween after all. She heard caregiver Sofia heading back to the barn in the Gator after doing cattle care and decided we needed to go up and assess the situation. Surprisingly, she didn’t ask me to fetch the Gator and was happy to do a slow meander up the hill.

Off we went:

At the top of the hill we found the cattle enjoying their lunch in the warmth of the sun. Honey and her daughter, Meredith:

Betsy soaking up the sun:

Meredith, Honey, Nutmeg, and Betsy. Their winter floof is coming in!

Jamie watched the cattle for a few minutes, then decided we should carry on:

Once we returned, I popped my head into the new greenhouse areas to see if I could catch any photo opportunities of the nine (nope!), but was met with a brief glimpse of sun-warmed and snoozy Dora and Rayne, and a blurry upside down Cy popping his head down from his napping spot on the tree platform to see who was there:

Lulled by the warm sun and a river view from the new greenhouses, Dora’s group and Honey B’s group can usually be found here on these autumn afternoons and appear to be soaking in every moment they can. Wherever we may find our human selves, I hope we are all able to do the same during this mystical and magical time of year. Jamie, nor any of her fifteen friends and neighbors, would want it any other way.

Also! Tomorrow, October 12th, is the official start of Giving Day for Apes, a global day of giving in support of qualified sanctuaries and rescue centers caring for apes throughout Africa, Asia and North America and provides incredible important, life-saving funding for so many individuals. Whether you’re able to support by giving, sharing the info far and wide, or cheering on the sanctuaries you feel connected to, you will make a lasting difference in the lives of so many unique and deserving beings who depend on all of us for not only a second chance, but a lifetime of care and well-being. You can find each participating organization’s page through the Giving Day for Apes link above. And click here for Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest’s!

A relaxing Sunday

October 3, 2021 by Katelyn

All sixteen chimpanzees have been roasting in the sun like tater tots today. Everywhere we looked, someone was snoozing in the sunshine in the greenhouses and the chute, or just taking in this beautiful autumn day in between naps. I think everyone is enjoying a relaxing Sunday after all the hullabaloo and excitement of intros during the last week.

Honey B:

Dora resting in the shade:

Beautiful Lucky:

These are obviously not great photos, but I couldn’t help but include Gordo resting so peacefully in his sun puddle:

Terry!

This photo of Queen Negra in the sun watching Sam dance for her (and the one of handsome Cy, up top, are courtesy of Sam):

Happy October Birthdays!

October 1, 2021 by Katelyn

Happy Birthday to all of our amazing October celebrating friends out there! And you know what else that means! It’s only 31 days until Jamieween!!

October is one of the most celebrated months here at the sanctuary, and more specifically, “Jamieween”, our celebration of the Boss Lady Herself on her honorary birthday, Halloween, is one of the biggest parties of the year. Jamie was born in captivity in 1977 and on October 31st she’ll be turning 44! (I mean, what better day suits this amazing chimpanzee woman of mystery and trickery with a side of terror?!).

If you’ve followed us for the last few years, I think you may agree that at this point, Jamieween wouldn’t be Jamieween without the Great Pumpkin Thief! Every year we wait with bated breath to see if she will appear.

What will this year hold?!

Two additional celebrations we’ll be holding in our hearts this month are those of two of Annie and Negra’s now adult children, both of whom have a wonderful home with family groups of their own at one of our fellow North American Primate Sanctuary Alliance (NAPSA) sanctuaries, Save the Chimps, in Florida. Honestly, one look at these two beautiful faces and I doubt you’d even need us to say whose children they are, they look so much like their mamas (photos: Save the Chimps).

Annie’s daughter, Mariah, who will be turning 30 on October 4th!

And Negra’s son, Noah, who will be turning 32 on October 19th!

As our chimpanzee family at CSNW has been growing by leaps and bounds lately, we’ve found ourselves thinking even more about the chimps’ family histories and connections. And last month I chose to include for celebration the September birthdays of Negra’s daughter, Angel, and Jody’s daughter, Andrea (the 2nd), who also thankfully reside at Save the Chimps.

As it’s often asked when the chimpanzees’ children are mentioned, no, the chimps and their children will not be reunited. Most, if not all, chimpanzee mamas in biomedical research had their children taken from them shortly after birth and did not have the opportunity to raise them, let alone get to know them (like Missy and Honey B). And in the case of Annie, Negra, Jody, Foxie and Missy, their living sons and daughters now have quality homes where they’ve lived for many years with other chimpanzees who have become their family members and friends.

While we all wish the chimpanzees’ histories had been different, we’re so grateful to see them now, safe, loved, cared for, and celebrated in their own lives. None of which would be possible for any of them without true sanctuaries and incredible humans like you to support them. And that is to be celebrated!

Annie taking in the autumnal view from Young’s Hill:

While everyone typically ends up with a piece of the famed annual Jamieween Jack O’ Lantern, it’s also safe to say a lot of it ends up with Negra:

Whether you have an October birthday to celebrate or not, may this season be full of the beauty, enchantment and spookiness that only October brings. Happy Birthday and Happy Jamieween, friends! We’re so grateful for you!