Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Animal Welfare

Today is in memory of Ben and Jules

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This day of sanctuary was sponsored by Janet Carroll in memory of Ben and Jules. We are continually moved by the compassion and generosity our supporters bring into the chimps’ lives after they survived for so long in very different circumstances, even their existence unknown to most. And with Sponsor-a-Days in particular it’s so inspiring and touching to see that in peoples’ desire to make the chimps’ lives better, the chimps are also providing an opportunity to honor, remember and celebrate so many others. They’re rather like ambassadors of love and joy.

Janet, thank you so much for thinking of the chimpanzees in honoring the memory of Ben and Jules today! We’re very grateful to you for helping to provide the chimps with the care and home they are thriving in and we hope your day is filled with comfort and joy in your thoughts of Ben and Jules. We will all be thinking of you!

Good friends, Burrito and Foxie:

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Happy Birthday, Karen!

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This day of sanctuary was sponsored by Ruth Mazner in honor of her daughter-in-law, Karen Emmerman Mazner, on her birthday! Karen and her family are such good friends to the chimpanzees and we are thrilled to share in her celebration! Ruth shared this lovely message about Karen:

“Karen is a strong advocate for animal rights. She devotes her life to teaching others that all living beings need to be treated with respect and love.”

Ruth, thank you so much for thinking of the chimpanzees as you honor Karen today with such a beautiful gift! We are so grateful to have the honor not only of knowing and caring for these seven amazing chimpanzees, but to be surrounded by all of the inspiring and compassionate humans they bring into all of our lives.

Karen, thank you so very much to you and your family for being part of our chimp family and for seeing them for the amazing beings they are. Our hearts are full of gratitude for all that you do to provide the chimps with lives in which their hearts and souls are ever expanding. All of us here at CSNW wish you the happiest of birthdays yet!!

Burrito:

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Happy Birthday, Marsha!

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This day of sanctuary was sponsored by Bruce Wagman in honor of Marsha Perelman on her birthday! Bruce and Marsha are both amazing friends to not only the chimpanzees, but to animals everywhere, and we’re thrilled to celebrate Marsha’s special day here today! Bruce shared this wonderful message about today:

“About ten or more years ago, through the most random of coincidences involving asbestos, I was introduced to Marsha.  Over the course of time since then, she has been a client, a teacher, a student, a partner, and most important of all, a dear friend.  And she has been an invaluable supporter of the Cle Elum Seven and other chimpanzees, in more ways than anyone can count, but in essence, by giving them her heart (while keeping big chunks of it for her dogs).  All sorts of animals are so lucky Marsha’s heart was born.  As an example of Marsha’s heart in play:  When I told Marsha about the lives of the CSNW chimps before they got to their Cle Elum bliss, her immediate response was, “I just want to go there and meet them and tell them I’m sorry.”  No need, Marsha.  Your actions have made that clear.  Happy Birthday to a true companion along the road to make up for what has been done to the world’s superior species.”

Many thanks to you, Bruce, for sponsoring such a special day in honor of Marsha! We are so full of gratitude to have humans such as yourselves sharing your incredible hearts in the world and for all you both do to make the lives of not only these seven very special chimpanzees better in every way possible, but for the countless other amazing beings whose lives you’ve made a difference in.

Happiest of birthdays to you, Marsha, we hope your day is full of all the love, joy and comfort you provide to so many others! Thank you so much for being part of our chimp family. And hoots of happiness to you from these seven beautiful chimp people:

Annie:

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Burrito:

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Foxie:

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Jamie:

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Jody:

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Missy:

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Negra:

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Snake alarm!

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Chimpanzees are very territorial and they are quick to respond if an “intruder” is spotted in their territory. If the intruder is someone who elicits fear or concern in the chimps they will respond by a vocalization known as “alarm calling.” This morning while the humans were cleaning the chimp house we suddenly heard loud alarm calls coming from Young’s Hill. When I ran out to see what all the hubbabaloo was about I could tell the chimpanzees had discovered a snake basking in the warmth of “Negra’s Cabin” and were banding together (well, with the exception of Burrito and Negra who watched from the safety of the greenhouse) to handle the situation.

After the crisis was averted everyone gathered in the doorway to Young’s Hill, their heads sticking out to survey the hill. But fierce Foxie bravely marched out all on her own, stood bipedally a safe distance from the cabin and gave things a final look to make sure the coast was clear for her family. Foxie may be little, but she is fierce.

To Know Someone

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There are many obvious differences between the chimpanzees’ current lives in sanctuary and their former lives in research labs. We often mention the blue sky, green grass, fresh air, soft blankets, and good food that are regular features of their lives at the sanctuary.

There’s another difference that I think about often: After decades as faceless lab subjects, treated as little more than the ID numbers tattooed on their chests, the Cle Elum Seven chimpanzees are finally known as distinct and unique individuals with distinct and unique personalities, quirks, and preferences. And it’s not just those of us who care for the chimps everyday who know them so well; it’s also all of you who follow the blog and have fallen in love. We’re probably biased, but we think these chimps are the best and they deserve an enormous fan club.

Here’s sweet, gentle, nervous, brave, grass-loving, foot-clapping Annie, unknown and unappreciated for so long. Thank you for loving her.

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