Katelyn

Happy Birthday, Annie!!

September 10, 2021 by Katelyn

It’s Annie’s birthday! And the lovely fairy godmother of chimpanzee birthdays, Paulette Wrisley, has graciously sponsored this day of sanctuary in celebration of Annie on her special day!

Paulette, thank you so very much for helping us celebrate dear, beloved Annie! You just lift all our hearts with your kindness!

Classic Annie and Missy:

If you’ve been following us for while you probably already know many of Annie’s endearing qualities. In short, Annie is a delight! She’s beautiful, kind, loves endless games of chase and wrestle with her best friend, Missy, likes to wear fashionable headbands around her waist in the springtime, fills the chimp house with “bird noises” by whistling with her mouth and hands when she is particularly relaxed and content, and is our resident snake alarm, letting all the world know the instant she sees a snake near the chimpanzees’ enclosures.

Annie is turning 47! While we don’t know her exact date of birth, we know she was born in 1974, most likely in Africa. Since the arrival of Annie’s group to the sanctuary over 13 years ago, it’s Annie who has probably changed the most. She tends to be so inextricably linked with her best friend, Missy, that “AnnieMissy” is often considered one word here at the sanctuary. Yet with each passing year, she has become increasingly brave, adventurous, curious, creative and independent in her own right. Not to mention, filled with moxie. Yeah, that last bit gets her into a little trouble at times, but we can’t help but secretly love it all the same.

These days Annie seems to embrace the peace she finds in solitude and solo adventures. It’s not uncommon to find everyone inside except Annie, who might then be found at the top of Young’s Hill, at the top of a structure, all on her own, serenely taking in the view. Or curled up in a nest of blankets at the top of the greenhouse on warm summer nights as she looks out over the hill, falling asleep as the sun sets while everyone is tucked into their night nests indoors. In fact, some of my most cherished of summer moments are when I’m able to tiptoe out to the greenhouse after the chimp house is settled for the night, just before I leave, to see if she’s out there and whisper goodnight to her. It’s really not in the saying goodnight that I cherish, but in the seeing her there, content, at ease, in her own little world of wonder.

These may not sound like big deals, but for someone who has overcome the seemingly insurmountable odds she has, these moments that she now gets to choose are life-changing. And while we can only imagine just how much, our hearts sing and soar along with her.

Happiest of birthdays and fullest of hearts, Annie!! You are so cherished!

Be sure to tune back in later today for the party happenings! You never know what the chimps will get up to and we’ve got a box of fresh coconuts with Miss Annie’s name on it. 🙂

In memory of Carol

September 5, 2021 by Katelyn

Our heartfelt thanks to Raina Cincoski for sponsoring a day of sanctuary for the chimpanzees and bovines and shared this entirely beautiful and moving tribute in memory of her mother, Carol.

“One week ago today, on 8/29, I lost my amazing mother. In her final days she liked to watch happy videos. As I pulled up some CSNW videos to show her I asked her if she liked chimpanzees. Through her weary eyes and shallow breaths she said, “They are beautiful when they are swinging and climbing, but don’t show me anything where they are being made to do or wear people things.” That’s my mama! She cultivated our love for all creatures great and small and so in her memory I want to dedicate this day to all of the mamas at CSNW, both ape and bovine. Special consideration to those that would have been amazing moms if they had been allowed the right to raise their babies. Finally, through my tears, I want to thank CSNW for providing the blog and videos that help me smile while my broken heart heals.”

Raina, we are so very sorry for your loss of your mama. We’re incredibly touched that you would choose to honor Carol’s memory and legacy by honoring all of the mamas here at the sanctuary and their children. We’re continually amazed by the chimpanzees and bovines and how they seem to work their magic in so many ways and in so many lives (including our own), just by being themselves. Thank you, to you and your mama, for making a difference for them and being a part of their lives, too. We hope their days continue to bring you moments of ease and lift your heart.

Annie and Foxie:

Annie:

Missy grooming Annie’s foot:

Missy:

Dear Honey B, Missy’s daughter:

Foxie and Strawberry Shortcake:

Jody and Foxie:

Honey (L) and her daughter, Meredith:

Jody:

Betsy and her son, Nutmeg:

Negra:

Foxie:

Happy September Birthdays!

September 1, 2021 by Katelyn

Happy Birthday to our September friends!

We are so thankful to each of you, our amazing supporters, and sending out monthly birthday wishes gives us an extra opportunity to celebrate *you* and express our deepest gratitude to you for the myriad of ways you have chosen to make a lasting difference for the sixteen chimpanzees and four bovines who call CSNW home. Whether you are able to donate monetarily or with in-kind gifts, volunteer your time, attend our events, share your love of the chimps and cattle with others, follow us here on the blog and social media, or any of the countless additional ways you contribute your support, please know it’s only because of you that their lives here in sanctuary are possible and we are so humbled that you choose to share your own lives with all of us.

On to the celebrations! You lucky September-born humans get to celebrate your special month with the stunning Annie and Meredith! Two good omens if ever there were any!

Dear Annie was most likely born in the wild in 1974 and we celebrate her birthday on September 10th. She’ll be turning 47 beautiful years young!

And we will be celebrating gorgeous and independent Miss Meredith turning 6 years old on September 23rd!

Both of these women, though very close with their respective friends and families, have wonderful adventurous and independent streaks!

Annie, though typically attached at the hip to her best friend, Missy, can also be found enjoying the view and her solitude at the top of Young’s Hill, or nesting in the greenhouse on a warm summer evening as she dozes off while looking out over the hill.

And while Meredith keeps her family in sight…(In the creek with her mama, Honey):

…more often than not she can be found facing, going, or standing in another direction, or somewhere else entirely!

And there are two additional special birthdays in September I’d like to share for celebration!

Negra’s daughter, Angel, who lives at one of our fellow NAPSA (North American Primate Sanctuary Alliance) member sanctuaries, Save the Chimps, in Florida, and will be turning 36 on September 4th. Can’t you just see her mama in her gorgeous face?! (Photo: Save the Chimps):

Negra:

And Andrea (the 2nd), who also lives at Save the Chimps, is Jody’s beautiful daughter (sharing Jody’s patented relaxed lip!) and she will be turning 31 on September 30th. (Photo: Save the Chimps):

Jody:

As is the case with all of Negra, Jody, Annie, Missy and Foxie’s now adult children who are still living, we are profoundly grateful that these two beautiful chimpanzee women are safe in sanctuary where they are loved and cared for as the unique individuals they are. And that is reason to celebrate.

In memory of Jeanne

September 1, 2021 by Katelyn

Thanks so much to wonderful chimpanzee friend, Kathy Featherstone, for sponsoring a special day of sanctuary in memory of her mother, Jeanne. We’re always touched when people choose to include the chimpanzees in their lives, special celebrations and memories.

“In remembrance of my mother. As a busy mom of seven children, she took time out of her day to watch National Geographic specials with her youngster daughter sharing in the awe and delight of an Englishwoman’s journey in Tanzania and her observations of our closest relatives. Here’s to all the amazing women of the world and the inspiration they share with all of us. And yes my mom was both the “Boss lady” Jamie, and “Queen Negra.” She would have loved getting to know all the wonderful ladies and gentlemen of CSNW.”

We hope your heart is filled with joyful and comforting memories as you honor your mom and her lovely legacy, Kathy.

Jamie:

Negra:

In honor of Becky and Mave

August 24, 2021 by Katelyn

Many hoots and moos and thanks to good friend of chimpanzees, bovines and humans, Tobin, who sponsored this day of sanctuary in celebration of her dear friend, Becky Babcock and Becky’s Pal, Mave Chimpanzee!

“Another August 24 has come to pass, and as Mave’s Human Pal, Becky Babcock is experiencing her annual 25th birthday. My friend Becky is moving to another house and town and as she packs and unpacks boxes I wouldn’t be surprised if she finds that missing 1.24% of genetic material that would qualify her for chimpanzeedom. Indeed, if I didn’t know any better, I would suppose that she has already found her errant genetic material and has taken up residence at the sanctuary…the way she goes on and on about Mave and Honey B, you would think that she meets with them every morning to groom and gossip. Sincerely, “Tobin”.

Happy Birthday, Becky! Better keep up your stretching if you’re going to spend your mornings with these two ladies. 😉 We hope you have a beautiful day of celebration and thanks so much for loving these special chimpanzees women.

Mave and Honey B!