Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Annie

Congratulations Erin and Kammee!

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This day of sanctuary was sponsored by Samantha McBirney in celebration of the marriage of Erin Delsol and Kammee Mam! Samantha shared this sweet message:

“Today is the day Erin and Kammee tie the knot! My husband and I are regretfully unable to attend their beautiful wedding in Mexico, but if it weren’t for these two, I never would have discovered this sanctuary. We hope you’re having the most perfect day! We’re all (chimps included) celebrating you back here in the states!” 

Samantha, thank you so much for this compassionate gift honoring Erin and Kammee’s big day and their love for the chimpanzees!

Erin and Kammee, you guys are the best for including the chimps in your special day and we are so happy to be celebrating with you! We are sending you all the good thoughts for a beautiful day and life ahead together.

Here are some oldies but goodies, classic Annie and Missy moments full of love, goofiness and celebration:

annie and missy playing

Annie Missy best friends

Missy Annie running behind

Into the wild green yonder

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The grass is so tall now the chimps literally step into it and disappear at times. I don’t think I will ever do anything less than treasure those moments as glimpses into the wild that will always live in their hearts:

Hidden Burrito:

Jody:

Jody and Burrito:

Jody foraged a gorgeous wild bouquet to bring back and enjoy in the greenhouse (notice her sneer face because bugs were biting her):

Here she is swatting them away:

Foxie was on an adventure with two tiny twin trolls which fell off her back so she stopped to put them back where they belong:

And a bonus Annie photo, because well, who doesn’t need to see a bonus Annie photo?

Happy Summer Solstice!

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We have a wonderful surprise day of sanctuary today sponsored by Dylan Most, who just wanted to give a little love to the chimps and celebrate the first day of summer!

Dylan, what a lovely gift! Thank you so much for thinking of the chimps and all of us here at the sanctuary. It’s hard to believe it’s summer! But the easeful, peaceful and joyful days are welcome by us all and it’s so wonderful to see the chimps relishing it all. We are grateful to your kind heart for helping to make theirs lives as beautiful as possible.

Be it your summer or winter, all of us are wishing all of you a beautiful solstice! And happy summer to all our northern hemisphere folks!

Jody:

Foxie:

Negra:

Annie:

Jamie:

Missy:

Burrito:

The Celebration Continues!

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Every once in awhile I feel like everything around me stills for just a few seconds and I find myself standing still in eye of the love storm that surrounds these chimpanzees. It’s a feeling to behold and I can’t help but imagine if all living beings, us humans included, could feel so much love and respect what a different place this world, this life, might be. It’s inspiring and hopeful and makes one’s heart ache with gratitude that these amazing chimpanzees get to experience this as their every day life now.

As we celebrate this special day of the chimps’ 9th year since arriving to their sanctuary home AND Queen Negra’s birthday, our second day of sanctuary sponsorship comes from our dear friend, Kathleen Corby, with this beautiful message:

“Happy 44th Birthday to Negra and Happy 9 Years of Hope, Love, Home, Sanctuary to CSNW! To Negra, I wish you a day filled with warm sunshine to nap in, soft fuzzy blankets to nest with, and Nut Bags galore bursting full of your favorite snacks! Please know I love you dearly and I will never forget the day I had the privilege to meet you — my heart melted with pure joy upon seeing your beautiful face. Happy Birthday to you dear girl! I love you. To everyone at CSNW, I wish you the happiest of celebrations on this important day. I will be celebrating with you in my heart. Thank you for all you have done and all you continue do to provide Negra, Missy, Annie, Jamie, Foxie, Jody and Burrito with the best of everything possible. Much love, Kathleen”

Kathleen, from our hearts, thank you for being part of this chimp family and this amazing day of celebration. You are here in spirit, thought and heart every day and I have no doubt the chimpanzees feel that on some level.

Happy Anniversary, Annie, Burrito, Foxie, Jamie, Jody, Missy and Negra! We love you all so very much!

Annie:

Burrito:

Foxie:

Jamie:

Jody:

Jody with forage haul

Missy:

And Happiest of Happy to you on this birthday, Queen Negra! Negra says, *Clap, Clap!!* “Let’s get this party started!”:

Morning grooming fest

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When I arrived to the chimp house this morning I found the whole family (with the exception of Missy who was still asleep in her nest) at the top of the sunny greenhouse together nesting and grooming. Grooming is extremely important in chimp society. While it does serve to care for wounds and keep each other clean, it’s a primary means of building relationships, maintaining bonds, and offering comfort.

The chimps had a doozy of an argument yesterday (as chimps’ often do) and while it was pretty much resolved by the end of the day, it was really nice to see everyone relaxing together this morning, amends made, grievances forgiven. The business of chimp families.

Annie and Negra (background):

Annie self-grooming:

Annie in her nest, Jamie grooming Jody:

Jamie is grooming Negra, but Burrito was actually trying to get Negra to play by ruffling her hair, play-stomping and laughing. Negra was not remotely interested in anything but being groomed.

After making the grooming rounds with her chimp family, Foxie swung down to say hi:

It’s been a peaceful day in the chimp house. And good thing, because the chimps need to rest up for the big celebration tomorrow! Not only is it their 9th anniversary since arriving to their sanctuary home (9 years?!!), but it’s Negra’s 44th honorary birthday! And it’s going to be a party fit for a Queen, naturally.

Happy Birthday, Lorraine!

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored in honor of Lorraine Lofton for her birthday by her son and daughter, Max and Coral Nafziger! Lorraine was one of the amazing volunteers who helped make our annual Hoot! Gala such a wonderful success!

Lorraine, happiest of birthdays to you from all of us at CSNW! Thank you so much for all you do to help us ensure a bright and secure future for these seven amazing chimpanzees, as well as any future family members. The gift of your time and compassion is so greatly appreciated.

Max and Coral, thank you for celebrating your mom on her special day with a gift for the chimpanzees! We are grateful to your family for helping us care for this chimp family!

Have a beautiful day, Lorraine!

Missy:

Jody:

jody smelling rose

Annie: