Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Burrito

Happy Birthday, Dr. Elliott Sumers!

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Anne Sumers sponsored this day of sanctuary in honor of her husband, Dr. Elliott Sumers, to celebrate his birthday! Anne shared this special message about today:

“Dr. Elliott Sumers is very fond of all the chimpanzees at the Sanctuary, and enjoys reading about the enrichment activities of Annie, Burrito, Jamie, Jody, and all the others as they enjoy the outdoors, playing with each other, and food treats. It makes Elliott very happy that the chimps have such a loving, good place for them to live, and that they have each other!”

Anne, thank you so much for your generous and compassionate gift for the chimpanzees and for wanting to share your husband’s special day with them.

We made a cake in Elliott’s honor yesterday for the chimpanzees. It’s probably not the kind of cake most humans would enjoy, but we’re betting the chimps like it!

elliott cake

 

Dr. Sumers, all of the primates here wish you a wild rumpus chimpanzee kind of celebration! Thank you for helping to fill the chimps’ lives with the joy, comfort, and family they are thriving in. Happiest of birthdays to you!

 

Jamie and Foxie:

Annie and Missy:

Annie Missy best friends

Negra play-biting Missy’s toes:

Jody in forage heaven:

Jody close-up forage queen

Burrito in a blanket!

Together:

Foxie and Jamie:

Save

Fall in Love with Burrito

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It’s the second video in our Share the Chimp Love videos leading up to Valentine’s Day!

The goal is to increase the number of Chimpanzee Pals for each of the chimpanzees and raise some funds for their care.

Check out their individual pages (click on their “polaroid” images at the top of the page) to see all of their current pals and to learn more about their histories and personalities! Then become a Chimpanzee Pal or make a donation on the Share the Chimp Love donation page.

But, before you do any of that, fall in love (again) with Burrito:

 

 

burrito eating

Remembering a friend

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Nicki Walters in memory of her husband, Bill Walters. Nicki and Bill have been such good friends to the chimpanzees and we’re honored to celebrate Bill and the difference he made in life. In fact, we are privileged to celebrate the difference his life made here at the sanctuary every day. Nicki shared this special message about Bill:

“We lost Bill last year in July but not before he got to see in person the amazing Twister & the beloved Chimps playing on it. Missy was first up! It all started by sponsoring a day in honor of his Birthday, that ended up spreading to last more days. He loved animals and life and is very missed but knowing a tribute that benefits the magnificent 7 named after him with his nickname truly provides peace and happiness to all who loved him. This is a tradition that will continue on. He loved what all of you do, thank you for helping to give him so many bright spots on the dark days with your incredible posts and to all who made the Twister possible.”

Nicki, thank you so much for choosing to honor and celebrate Bill’s memory with the chimpanzees. All of us here at CSNW hold you and your loved ones in our thoughts and hearts.

I believe most of us have the desire to somehow say we were here, to mark our time and to know that our life made a difference – that we left the world a better place for having been here. The possibilities are as far-reaching and unique as each one of us. And I think all of us will leave having made differences we will never be aware of. But for seven chimpanzee people who live on a hillside outside a small town in eastern Washington, Bill and his loved ones made a difference which will continue to ripple throughout all their days forward.

The chimps’  first inspection of the Twister:

Missy, first to the top!

Bill and Nicki watch the unveiling:

Annie and Missy playing chase underneath:

Jamie keeping watch over her home from under her beloved crow’s nest:

Foxie and Dora on an adventure:

Burrito’s courage:

Jody:

Missy (top) and Annie (below):

Annie and Missy top of Twister

The Twister quickly became an important part of Jamie’s daily routine territory checks. Weather permitting, it’s the first place she heads each morning and the place she ends her day…or in many cases, her evening:

Jamie on Twister dusk

Happy Birthday, Adrienne!

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A day of sanctuary and celebration was sponsored by Eric in honor of Adrienne’s birthday with this sweet message: “Happy Birthday from Burrito and all his friends at the sanctuary!”

Eric, thank you so much for thinking of the chimps as you honor Adrienne on her special day! Your compassion and generosity make a lasting difference in their lives.

Adrienne, it’s great that you and Burrito share a birthday month, mere days apart. During parties (and most any ol’ day) it’s not uncommon to see Burrito running through the chimp house in a dominance display, hair standing on end and clapping his hands as he attempts to intimidate the girls, especially when there’s food that he’s excited to reach.  I’m not sure if you want to celebrate your special day this way (we don’t judge), but food squeaking in utter joy is also classic Burrito so you could just go with that. 🙂 However you choose to celebrate, we hope your day is full of all that you most love and enjoy! Happy Birthday!

Elizabeth's fav photo

 

 

Food envy

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Sometimes a chimp will savor something that’s so delicious, that another chimp will feel the need to come over and watch them intently (sometimes awkwardly close) as they eat. We call this behavior food peering. Today Burrito had a wadge (a lip full) of chewed up primate chow. After he added a couple chewable vitamins to the wadge, Foxie came over and peered jealously at his hoard.

Today is in memory of Thomas Burke

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Today one of the chimpanzees’ new friends, Peggy Burke, is remembering her husband, Thomas, and celebrating their life together by sponsoring a day of sanctuary in his memory. Peggy shared, “January 8th was my husband’s birthday and we used to spend a lot of time in the Cle Elum area. What better way to remember him than by helping the Cle Elum Seven.”

Peggy, thank you so much for contributing to the chimpanzees’ lives and home, providing them the space so heal, grow, transform and to rejoice in what life brings their way each day. Cle Elum is such a beautiful area and it’s wonderful that you have such fond memories of the time you spent here together. We are so touched that you would include the chimpanzees in your life and on such a special day. We’re honored to remember Thomas here today and are sending you all the good thoughts, hoping this day brings you comfort, joy and love as you have helped provide the chimpanzees.

Burrito and Foxie:

It’s often still surprising for people when they learn the chimpanzees are living here. We are so grateful to all our supporters and give special thanks to our local friends and neighbors who have welcomed the chimps with open arms and continue to support and protect them as members of their community. The Cle Elum City Council even awarded the chimps honorary citizens status shortly before their first anniversary here!

Jamie:

Jody, Missy, and Annie:

Annie and Missy:

Foxie and France Dora:

Burrito and Negra:

Burrito’s 34th Birthday Bash

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Burrito is so easy to shop for. All he ever wants for his birthday is food.

The other chimps were more than happy to help him celebrate.

Of course, it’s not a real party until someone gets upset. Even when there’s more than enough to go around, someone (ahem, Jamie) has to take more than their fair share.

Thankfully, Jody was mature enough to extend an olive branch to Jamie and move on. Jody should be awarded some kind of medal for what she puts up with.

Burrito managed to avoid the camera most of the day, but rest assured, he ate enough to last him until next January. Now, it’s time to sleep it off. Happy 34th, big guy.