Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Burrito

Burrito’s Charm

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Burrito is pretty irresistible. He also tends to be a bit shy at times. When he is feeling playful he will often initiate play with his caregivers by biting on a toy or a firehouse as he shyly looks in our direction. If he is feeling particularly playful he will add a foot stomp and a head nod in for good measure. One of my favorite moments is when I go out to the greenhouse to see what the chimps are up to and upon first sight, Burrito grabs something to bite on, stomps his foot at me and takes off running for a game of chase, laughing all the way.

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New Beginnings

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As I drove over the snowy pass on the way to the sanctuary this morning, I was reminded how snow signifies new beginnings and a fresh start. While I have spent many years in the non-profit and primate world, I view my role as executive director at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest as a new beginning for me. For most of my life I have wanted to serve primates in a sanctuary setting and to live in the northwest. I now have been given the opportunity to marry both dreams and I could not be more thrilled. Sarah and the CSNW team have poured their hearts into this organization and have accomplished many things such as providing a safe and healthy environment for seven amazing chimpanzees, expanding space for the Cle Elum 7 by building a greenhouse and Young’s Hill, advocating for all primates by creating Eyes on Apes, and developing a visitors’ program (the list goes on and on).

Jamie and I spending quality time together
Jamie and I got to spend some quality time together

Today, I take the proverbial leadership baton and am looking forward to the future (not just for the organization, but for all chimpanzees). I look forward to helping the organization grow, advocating for chimpanzees around the world, and continuing to care for the Cle Elum 7. In the meantime, I will be getting acclimated to the sanctuary and to the area. I have already met many of our dedicated volunteers and supporters and am eager to get to know all of you. The Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest team and the chimpanzees have also been incredibly welcoming. I have begun forming special bonds with Jamie, Foxie, Missy, Negra, Burrito, Annie, and Jody…how can I not love them?

Jamie wanted me to show her my boots
Jamie wanted me to show her my boots

Thank you all for welcoming me with open arms. During this transition, feel free to e-mail me with suggestions as to how we can better serve our chimpanzees, community and supporters.

Leaning forward

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I have a tattoo on the inside of my wrist that says “lean forward to the next crazy venture.” It’s a quote I have always loved from On the Road and it has guided me well, through all kinds of crazy ventures like my undercover work early in my career, many loves and losses, and oh, you know, being a part of a fledgling chimpanzee sanctuary. Looking back, which I rarely allow myself to do, I couldn’t be prouder of the role I’ve been fortunate to play in Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest.  We’ve gone from zero to 60 in a very short time. The chimps have certainly undergone spectacular changes in the last five years, and I feel like I’ve lived through those changes and that recovery as well.

I have nothing but excitement about what’s ahead for our chimpanzee friends. Tomorrow, the wonderful and amazing Jennifer Whitaker formally takes the helm as Executive Director here at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest (although she’s been quietly getting up to speed here for two weeks now). I am so confident that Jennifer will take CSNW to new heights and I can’t wait to cheer for each new victory and each little change.

Of course I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t feeling a little emotional about my departure. But I’m not going far. The Seven (and their humans) will never leave my heart or my mind. They are a central part of my family, so after a few weeks off I’ll be returning in a new and improved role as a caregiving volunteer. Nice try, but you haven’t gotten rid of me.

I won’t be saying goodbye. There’s no need to. I’ll just be leaning forward with everyone else. I’ll never have words for how humbled I am by having had the opportunity to do this work. Thank you a hundred times over.

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PS. If you simply can’t resist saying goodbye, here are my suggestions on where to fuel your energy:

  • if you’ve connected with me or the chimps over the past few years, make a donation today to wish me well and welcome Jennifer to the team
  • buy tickets to our Seattle auction now so that you can support our work and give me a hug (I’ll be there with bells on)
  • help us spread the word about our online auction by sharing the link on Facebook and to all your friends. Start leaning toward all those vacation spots!
  • watch the bidding war over VIP Green Day tickets and backstage access. So much fun.

Getting green

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Last summer, over half of Young’s Hill was burned in the Taylor Bridge Fire. We knew that the grass and bamboo would recover, but it was hard to imagine it ever looking the same again.

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But with a little spring rain and some warm weather, the grass has come back as good as ever and we should be seeing some new bamboo shoots in the next month or two.

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The chimps used to run for cover at the first drop of rain, but lately they’ve been staying outside through some of the lighter showers. This morning, Missy, Foxie, Burrito, and Annie all ate their breakfast together in the rain. Jody, however, took her bag back to the greenhouse and dried herself off.

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The chimps love to eat spring grass. Most eat it a blade or two at a time, but Burrito stuffs handfuls in his mouth and eats it until his teeth turn green. For a guy that thinks about food nonstop, it must feel good to be completely surrounded by it.

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Green Day Tickets and Resident Rock Stars

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I just sent out an e-newsletter with the exciting announcement of an early Out of the Box auction item available for bidding right now – four exclusive tickets to the April 16th Green Day show in Berkeley, CA plus VIP after-show passes with a meet and greet with band members!

Big, big thanks to Adrienne and Billie Joe Armstrong for this awesome donation to kick off the auction, which is just a month away! AND for the awesome donation of a guitar signed by Green Day band members, which is featured in our online auction. Bidding for that and all other online items opens May 4th- mark your calendars! And buy your tickets for the Seattle gala today.

In honor of Green Day, here’s a photo of rock star Jamie with her purple ukulele:

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And in honor of Billie Joe specifically, who is a Burrito fan, here is Burrito in one of my favorite photos of all time – personally, I think Burrito should be on the cover Rolling Stone:

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Easter egg hunt

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(Be sure to check out the earlier post with pictures of the party set-up).

Happy Easter! Today we had a big Easter egg hunt on the hill for the chimps. They seemed to really enjoy it. We kept the fun going and had another forage in the playroom, too! When you’re done looking at all the photos, watch the video at the end to see the chimps getting some Easter goodies.

Burrito with an Easter egg basket:

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Negra drinking some water out of a watering can (while sitting in her cabin)

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Jamie also liked this watering can, and Jody is here peering on:

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Annie really liked a different watering can:

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Foxie and Annie:

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Foxie walking with Negra:

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Jamie in the cabin:

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Jamie found all our good hiding spots!

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Missy with an Easter egg in her mouth:

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Negra, looking very happy with her Easter egg:

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New adventures for Negra and mouthfuls for everyone

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It’s been another beautiful day in Cle Elum today so I set out a huge lunch forage on Young’s Hill. Everyone went right out, which is always a treat, but not only that – Negra was first! I couldn’t take my eyes off of her as she marched right out and walked over to one of the climbing structures that is a bit further away than her usual spots close to the raceway.

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She grabbed a ton of greens along the way and found herself under the shaky bridge, which I am almost certain is an area she hasn’t explored yet.

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Then, she just sat right down and enjoyed her lunch there.
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This may not seem like a big deal, but Negra hasn’t adventured around the hill too much so we celebrate every step she takes in seeming more comfortable sitting in the grass with no bars overhead. And I’ve never seen her that confident out there! She didn’t ask for reassurance or seem concerned or nervous at all. That’s pretty amazing!

Oh and by the way, there were other chimps out enjoying the forage too. 😉

Foxie and Jody had a little picnic on one of the platforms today. That’s Foxie with the mouthful of lettuce – something she used to absolutely loath.
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Missy loaded up on greens:
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Annie with her mouthful:
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Jody and Burrito seemed pretty happy about all the limes!
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Burrito:
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Jamie grabbed a huge handful of lettuce, potatoes, avocados, and limes and happily took her loot to the raceway, so I wasn’t able to get a photo of her mouthful, but rest assured, she had one!

Everyone seemed really happy and foraged out there for a pretty long time. I was thrilled to see all seven chimps out there for so long! And I just couldn’t take my eyes off of beautiful and amazingly confident Negra. After she’d munched on all the good stuff she could find in the bamboo, she moved over to the hammock area.
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and sat where she could watch what was happening over at the house, probably for the first time taking in all that she can see from that side of the hill.

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It was certainly a big day for Ms. Negra.
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