Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

animal rescue

More love from Trish!

by

In her desire to do something special for the chimpanzees, Trish Loesch recently sponsored not one, but two days of sanctuary, with today being the second!

In the immediate sense, we’ve been watching the chimps enjoy so many joy-filled days this holiday season. Warm, yummy foods, heaps of the softest of blankets, new enrichment to spark their curious and intelligent minds, beloved favorites like boots and dolls, and all the comforts and joys we as humans enjoy as well.

And in the long-term, we’ve been watching the chimps step more fully each day into the freedom to make their own choices, the dignity that comes with being respected and appreciated just for who you are, the courage to explore and take new risks, and the comfort of being at peace in one’s own skin and own home. Those are no small gifts.

Trish, thank you for immensely for contributing to the ever-expanding ripple of love, compassion and generosity surrounding the chimps that not only makes their lives in sanctuary possible, but makes more than they may have ever dreamt, possible.

Jamie:

Foxie

Burrito:

Negra:

Annie:

Missy:

Missy sleeping in a big nest

Jody:

 

Happy Birthday, Jan!

by

Kery Shaw and Terran Baylor sponsored a day of sanctuary in honor of Jan Galeazzi! They shared this message about their gift:

“Jan Galeazzi is Animal Place’s Rescue Ranch Manager. She is a chicken mom, goat whisperer and mentor. Above all Jan is humble, smart, selfless, and passionate, and just an incredible human being. Jan has had several lives, doing several things, which left her feeling not satisfied. Through one of her jobs she met her fiancé who was aware of her feeling dissatisfied and yearn to do more. He encouraged her to go do those things. She loves running, rock climbing, kayaking and being around intellectual individuals very much like herself. Most of all, Jan is a giver and a healer. She saw an opportunity to volunteer at Animal Place and being an animal lover, saw it as a great opportunity to give back. It did not take long for Jan to be hired on as a full time employee and then eventually take on the position she has now. The first time I volunteered at Rescue Ranch I was immediately impressed at the way things were run. The staff remarked it was because of Jan. There is not a single person or staff member that does not love her, including myself. Jan works really hard and has made several compromises to do what she does. She has seen a lot and knows a lot. People have no idea what it truly takes to handle the emotion and physical aspects of her life. To know a woman of such a great caliber blows my mind. I am proud and honored to know her and call her my friend. So much love and respect. Today and everyday we HONOR and CELEBRATE you Jan! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, All our Love, Kéry & Terran”

Thanks so much Kery and Terran for thinking of the chimps as you celebrate Jan! We appreciate you always holding them in your hearts.

Jan, all of us at CSNW wish you the happiest day and hope that all you contribute to the world and those around you comes back to you tenfold. Happy Birthday!

Resident handsome guy and charmer, Burrito:

It’s Beets!

by

The lunch forage on the hill today included quite a variety of vegetables, but the beets were a favorite. Bonus: they are easy to carry back to the greenhouse to enjoy.

Eating beets temporarily stains the chimps’ white freckles a lovely shade of pink, and cleaning up the day after a beet feast is always more colorful.

 

Annie:

 

Missy:

 

Jamie:

 

Jody:

 

Negra (with Missy in the background)

 

If you are wondering about the troll doll by Negra’s feet in the photo above, she actually took a shine to it today. It’s Foxie who loves the troll dolls, but once in a while Negra decides to carry one around!

 

Save

who they are

by

Today I was thinking about what we know about the chimpanzees at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest – all of those little things that add up to who they are, or at least how we see them.

 

Foxie with Dora

 

I was thinking about how different experiences shape personalities and how exposure to new environments, activities, and other beings lead people to discover new things about themselves.

 

 

Jody looking at snow

 

And I was wondering if the chimpanzees realize how much better they know themselves now than they did eight and a half years ago.

 

 

burrito

Save

Fall in Love with Negra

by

On Valentine’s Day/Share the Chimp Love day, we are sharing the last of the “Fall in Love with” videos.

The seventh video in the series is all about Negra, the Queen of the sanctuary:

Big thanks to everyone who has made a Share the Chimp Love donation or has become a Chimpanzee Pal!

The heart is getting fuller, though there’s plenty of room left for lots more love, and a whole day for you to Share the Chimp Love.

share the love heart

Share your favorite video on social media today! You’ll find all seven of them on the Share the Chimp Love page and on the sanctuary’s Facebook page.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

 

More snow adventures & thanks to volunteers!

by

Annie is continuing to show her newfound adventurous nature.

annie in snow

annie standing on snow

The other chimpanzees (well, most of them) were inspired to follow her out into the snowy expanse of Young’s Hill this afternoon.

The pair of photos below of Annie and Jody are my favorite! It’s so uplifting to see the chimpanzees support one another and share in adventures big and small:

jody and annie in snow

profiles of jody and annie

 

Foxie and Missy were 3rd and 4th out. The photo below is of Foxie giving Missy a quick hug before continuing along the path:

foxie hugging missy

 

Foxie didn’t have to go very far to find a snack:

foxie sitting with snow

 

Nor did Missy:

missy gathering snow

missy holding snow

 

Jody seemed to be in awe of the snow:

jody profile close-up

 

and dove right in for a taste:

jody eating snow

jody eating snow

 

Jamie came out after a few minutes and headed straight for a structure. She often takes the lead in adventures, but not today.

jamie sitting on structure

 

Though she did win points for her acrobatics once outside:

jamie tightrope

jamie swing

jamie swing 2

jamie swing 3

 

She also found some big chunks of snow to bring back into the building to savor:

jamie smell snow

jamie carry snow

 

Negra and Burrito didn’t follow these adventurers, but I did see Negra coming in later in the day, and I have no doubt Burrito at least reached an arm out to get a taste.

 

Before ending this post, I have to express our gratitude for volunteers and interns. This week we have really relied on you!

After being sick for a week herself, Katelyn has been the only healthy full time staff member this week. We’re very deliberate about staying away from the chimp house when we are feeling under the weather because we don’t want the chimpanzees to catch our bugs, so volunteers and interns have been life savers!

Today I’m much better but still not at 100%. I was able to don a mask and gloves to operate doors but luckily had an incredible crew of volunteers and Central Washington University interns who did the (literal) dirty work all day.

rachel

josephine

kyle

lars

 

Thank you to all of you who give your free time to the sanctuary – it makes a huge difference to all of the primates here!