Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Katelyn

Remembering Ned and Noreen

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Today was sponsored by Joan O’Flaherty in loving memory of her parents, Ned and Noreen O’Flaherty, on their wedding anniversary.

“My parents loved animals and supported conservation. They would appreciate all the care and hard work you do to give the cows and chimpanzees lives worth living.”

Joan, we can’t thank you enough for continuing your lovely parents’ legacy by always thinking of the chimpanzees (and now cattle!) and for the lasting difference you’ve made in their lives in Ned and Noreen’s honor. We hope your heart is full of comfort and peace today, just as you help ensure for the chimps and bovines.

Honey B:

Willy B:

Mave:

Nutmeg and Meredith:

Events of the day

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The day began with thievery. Everyone (with the exception of Negra, who chose to lounge in her post-breakfast nest) headed off together on a patrol of Young’s Hill, eventually spreading out to pursue their own interests. Jody’s interest was foraging for wild dandelion:

She made her way back to the greenhouse and just settled down to enjoy her haul when…

oh no…

Scooping up as much of her dandelion greens as she could while giving the approaching thief the side eye:

The Queen arrived to take her share. One thing (among many) that impresses me about Jody is her determination to hang onto items of food she wants when someone else also wants them, all while trying to avoid any conflict. She’ll start by just politely turning her body away and eating as fast as she can and even if it escalates to the point of someone (usually Jamie) screaming and chasing her, she’ll do her best to leave the area and avoid conflict, but she will *not* give up her food! Granted, this may not be the best move in chimpanzee politics, but nevertheless I admire it and it seems to work for her. In this case, she shoveled as much dandelion in as she could while Negra made off with a handful:

Meanwhile, I spotted Annie and Burrito together on the hill seemingly concerned about something they may or may not have seen in the grass. I braced myself for Annie to start screaming thinking they may have seen a snake, but she just held onto Burrito as they both stared into the grass. Eventually, they both made their way bipedally (and endearingly) uphill toward the safety of the climbing structures where they spent a great while taking in the sights and sounds of a summertime morning:

Missy returning from the perimeter patrol:

And Foxie bringing up the rear:

This guy has been non-stop today. While that’s not unusual these days, what is rather unique is that he’s been non-stop playing with all the girls (as opposed to the humans). As much as we love to play with him, it’s really wonderful to see his relationships with the other chimps blossoming. He started off wresting all morning with Jody, filling the chimp house with their laughter while we cleaned. I stopped to try and get a video and I seriously couldn’t tell where Burrito ended and Jody began. Later he and Negra had a game of wrestling and chase, which means some left hooks when Negra’s involved, but Burrito would just play slap her on the head in return which she seemed to love. Then he moved on to wrestling with both Annie and Missy! He’s currently looking out the playroom window toward the chute, blowing raspberries in an attempt to get Mave to come outside. Mave cannot hear him, and I doubt she’d respond, but he’s endearing in his attempts to catch the attention of the girl next door:

And over on the other side, Willy B was just hanging out in his tub/dinghy on the high seas (which I love so much I can barely stand it):

In other news, Honey B has discovered her ability to choose if she’ll have the humans cleaning her home or not. Though not particularly effective for cleaning, we’re particularly delighted that she’s making her own choices. And as we were saying to one another, she is Missy’s daughter after all. Her mother is infamous for choosing not to leave an area we’d like to clean and having us reroute our human schedule. And of course, that’s just what sanctuary is all about. The chimpanzees, in their time and their way. Just as it should be.

Thank you, Manda!

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Manda Crawford sponsored this day of sanctuary: “In honor of Burrito, Jamie, Jody, Annie, Missy, Foxie, Negra, Honey B, Willy B, and Mave. The best day ever! Independence Day!”

Thank you so much, Manda, for helping to ensure the chimpanzees (and cattle) have as much freedom, independence and choice as possible, for all their days forward. We’re so grateful to be able to celebrate these things in the chimps’ lives. Happy Fourth of July!

Independence means different things to different people. Our personal and collective versions of freedom can be found in the broader sense of the word, yes, but also sometimes in the smallest of places. For the chimpanzees, while the freedom of living the natural lives they were meant to was taken from them, a home in sanctuary where they can just be themselves and are able to make as many choices as possible about their day, is the closest to freedom they’ll know.

Here at the sanctuary, in a way, we get to celebrate a kind of Independence Day every day, in one form or another. It’s a profound joy, a privilege and an inspiration to witness each of the chimpanzees explore both their inner and outer independence each and every day because of what you make possible for them. And while we celebrate and hold profound gratitude for these experiences in the chimps’ lives, we hold a space of honor and support for all those still waiting for their Independence Day, in whatever form that may take. Ultimately, all any living being wants and deserves is the freedom to live their lives as they’re meant to, to follow their hearts and make their own choices with the same dignity and respect afforded anyone else.

Whether it’s in taking the first tentative steps outside of not only your comfort zone, but all you’ve known, like Willy B:

To express the joy of being ourselves, like Honey B and Mave:

To rest in comfort, like Negra….

…and be at ease when you need to, or just because you feel like it, like Jody:

We see it when Missy runs to her heart’s content for no other reason than her sheer joy of running:

In Jamie’s freedom to express her wants and needs (and know she’ll be heard):

In the freedom to choose who you spend your time with and how:

In the ability to raise your children and live your lives with your family, like Betsy and Nutmeg:

and Honey and Meredith:

To walk your own path as you choose, like Annie:

To simply love who you love, like Foxie:

To dream, hope, and imagine (Jamie).

And to just be (Burrito):

Happy Birthday, Tobin!

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Rebecca Babcock sponsors today in honor of one of our long-time supporters, Tobin!

“Today marks the day that I received 98.76% of the chimpanzee that I had requested of my mother and our local physician, Dr. Fred. I love you, Tobin. I have long since forgiven the non-chimp 1.24% By your gracious introduction of 10 new friends and 4 beautiful bovines out in Washington, you have totally redeemed yourself. Happiest Of Birthday Wishes to you.”

Thank you for making a difference in the lives of the chimpanzees and cattle in honor of Tobin! What a lovely thing to do.

Tobin, we so appreciate your presence, heart and support of the chimpanzees, bovines (and humans!) here and all of us wish you the happiest of days! Thank you for being part of our chimp family! Happy Birthday!

Dear, beloved Jody. Whatever Jody does, she does fully present, with her whole heart. Whether she’s foraging for her beloved wild greens, relaxing in her nest, or making sure that her family members are safe and looked after, she makes all our lives and hearts so much fuller. She inspires us every single day. Thank you so very much for being her pal, Tobin. We wish you a Jody kind of day.

Happy Birthday, J.B!

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It’s J.B.’s birthday and our magical fairy/chimpanzee/bovine godmother, Monica Best, has sponsored a day of sanctuary today in celebration! Monica shared this message about her gift:

“I just want to honor and thank him, for his dedication, his hard work and his love for The Chimps and The Moos on his birthday.”

Monica, thank you so much for helping us celebrate J.B. today! We always feel your incredible heart wrapped around everyone here and we’re just so grateful for you.

We could wax poetic about how truly incredible our two-person team (well, three if you count Jamie Chimpanzee) of Co-Directors, J.B. and Diana, are and how words could never express how grateful we are for the heartfelt care, dedication, integrity, creativity, kindness and seemingly never-tiring (though we know it is) hard work put in to making this life possible for ten (hoping soon to be more) chimpanzees and a tiny cattle family of four, not to mention us humans. But as this is for J.B., I can picture him squirming now. So we’ll all just say, Happy Birthday, J.B!! You help restore faith in humanity every day. We’re all raising a toast, eating some chocolate and/or chasing and loving some chimpanzees (or cattle or pups or cats or fill in the blank) in your honor today.

The “J” Team (sorry, I’ve clearly had too much caffeine this morning), the boss and the boss:

Nutmeg!:

Eclipse memories:

Burrito and J.B. work together during PRT (Positive Reinforcement Training):

The drowsy days of summer

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It’s warmed up again today and the wind is blowing enough that it has a furnace like quality. All the chimpanzees have been active today, but once lunch and late afternoon rolled around, I began seeing everyone start to grow drowsy in the heat.

Honey B and Mave were grooming while Willy B napped outside in the chute:

Eventually Honey B grew sleepy:

Jody dozing off in the greenhouse:

Jamie was quietly grooming herself with her boot tucked away in her pelvic pocket (naturally) when even she nodded off:

Of course you know who was not sleepy today? Yep, this guy, flailing about like a wild thing in the playroom while he plays with Chad on the outside of the window:

I’m telling you just looking at these photos is making me sleepy. The chimp house is completely quiet right now, the only sounds are the wind, the neighboring swallow kids who are starting to fledge the nest and (!!!) much to my astonishment and thrill, a cicada!!

Now I realize if you live somewhere cicadas are a common sight and sound, you may not feel the same level of excitement about this as I do. But I love cicadas and they hold a special place in my heart where I hold a lot of love for the south and my time there. I’ve spent most of my life in the Pacific Northwest and until two days ago had no idea we had cicadas here! Someone local posted a photo on Facebook recently asking what they were and I couldn’t believe my eyes. I was Elphaba green with envy they’d seen them! But the cicadas must have heard my lament because lo and behold who should perch on the fence outside the chimp house and even land on me today?! Our regional orchard cicada! Their loud, steady stridulation is only adding to the spell cast by this summer day, lulling us all to sleep.

We’re minutes away from dinner being served though and the chimp house is due to erupt with hoots and hollers any minute so I better snap to!…And right on cue, the first hoots are happening! Dinner time! Have a lovely evening everyone!

Happy Birthday, Amy!

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Today was sponsored by Amy Adams, who is celebrating her birthday by giving a day of sanctuary to the chimpanzees! Amy has also generously requested that her friends and loved ones make a difference in the chimps’ lives in honor of her birthday!

Amy, thank you so much for using your own special day as a way to celebrate the chimpanzees and make a difference in their lives. All of us here appreciate your kind heart so much and wish you the happiest birthday yet!

Jamie:

Foxie and Strawberry Shortcake:

Jody:

Mave: