Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

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chimp sanctuary

Intensity

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What! Are you guys seeing this… Strawberries! These were thoughts going through Missy’s head as staff Katelyn discovered these gems in our garden. First strawberry of the year went to garden enthusiast Missy of course!

Missy uniquely sitting on the tire while she looks for strawberries:

While, Missy observed Katelyn in the garden, Jamie had other business to attend to. After our morning perimeter walk, Jamie and I hung out by the Front Rooms, mostly so she could keep an eye on the interns. Jamie isn’t always in the mood to have a camera taking photos of her; however, I asked Jamie if it was okay and proceeded to take some pictures. I often show her the picture taken so she feels included. She was pretty intrigued today so I continued to snap some photos and show her. I always love the intensity in her eyes. Jamie can be known to be a bit intense, whatever she is doing is with all her effort. As you can tell in our photo shoot today she was giving it all she had.

Jamie staring intensely:

Jamie relaxing in the Front Room:

Jamie smooshing her face (she was being pretty silly):

Jamie laid on a chair so she could get more comfortable, but still be able to watch the interns and self groom:

After a while she let me groom her head with a toothbrush:

Burrito had been quietly napping behind Jamie, once Jamie moved Burrito was ready to play!

In this photo Burrito was playfully shaking his leg and breathy panting quietly:

Then Burrito started shaking his legs and play slapping his head, Burrito later got up and we played a bit before Jamie wanted me to come back and finish grooming her head:

Bonus photos:

Negra enjoying the warm Greenhouse:

Jamie stealing Burrito’s smoothie while she drinks her own (don’t worry Burrito had some smoothie earlier):

The conifer connoisseur

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As you’ve probably seen previously on the blog, Jody is one of our most adventurous eaters. Wild greens, flowers, bamboo, she loves it all and seemingly the wilder the better!

Yesterday Anna wrote about Negra enjoying some Ponderosa pine tree browse that J.B. recently put out on Young’s Hill for the chimps to find. It took Jody mere moments to find it and haul huge branches back to the greenhouse to enjoy, in classic Jody style, while lying on her belly and taking in the view. It’s been a particularly big hit with a few of the chimps, but I think Jody has moved on to qualify as Honorary Conifer Connoisseur.

Apparently pine needles make for good wadging material:

I love the pine needle in her hair. 🙂

Lounging

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After a cool day of rains and fresh air yesterday, we are surprised to be in the upper 70’s today (though it somehow feels much, much warmer as we’ve had no chance to get used to the heat yet!). But that’s spring for you. The chimps have been in full lounge mode and since the staff and volunteers can’t exactly lounge, we are definitely in slug mode. Even Jamie has been taking time out on her perimeter walks to sit in the cool tunnel on the hill while staff sweat away in the hot sun waiting for her to resume her walk. Naturally.

Beautiful Jody is known to be the Queen of the Lounge:

But everyone was right there with her today:

in

Annie and Jody after breakfast:

Annie:

Jody dozing off next to Annie:

Zzzzzz:

Snoozy Burrito, with Foxie in the background:

All joking aside, I’m sure I don’t have to explain how full our hearts were as we all took a moment to take in the beautiful scene of utterly relaxed and content chimpanzees, lounging in sunlight and fresh air to the sound of birdsong. Between the happy, healthy and thriving chimps and the astounding beauty and wildlife that surrounds their home, we all laugh that it’s a bit like Narnia out here at times. But honestly, it’s not only the true sense of sanctuary here for the chimps, but all beings who find themselves so fortunate to be in this very special place. Thanks to all of you.

Life is Good

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It’s probably safe to say that there is nothing better on this planet than spring at the sanctuary. The doors are thrown open and a warm breeze blows through the chimp house. The chimps alternate between napping in sunspots and frolicking in the bright green grass outside on Young’s Hill. Everyone’s feeling light and free.

Spring has put an extra bounce in Burrito’s step today. Each time a caregiver passes by, he stomps his foot playfully and passes them this sock for a game of tug of war. Life is good.

Today is for Janet Holmes, chickens and their humans!

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Janet Holmes sponsored this day of sanctuary and shared this message about her gift!

“For my birthday, and to honor rescued chickens and their people. “I have always loved animals, but for many years I was afraid to get involved with animal rescue because I couldn’t imagine how I would deal with the heartbreak. A few years ago, I decided that animals needed me more than I needed to be comfortable, and I began volunteering for animal rescue groups as a photographer and caregiver. Through this volunteer work I have met many extraordinary individuals (human and non-human) who have taught me about resilience, forgiveness, hard work and love. In particular, in the past year I’ve been working on a special project that involves making portraits of vegan women who rescue and care for chickens. I love those moments when I’m able to make a portrait that allows the extraordinary personalities of these birds and their humans to shine through. You can see some of these portraits here: http://www.blurb.com/b/8541787-why-would-anyone-rescue-a-chicken For the same reasons, I love to (virtually) visit the Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest to see the photographs, videos and stories about the chimpanzees and the people who help them enjoy a safe, loving and enriched environment. And so for my birthday this year, I decided to bring these two communities together through a donation that supports the Sanctuary and honors rescued chickens and the people who care for them. You can read more about this project here: https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/blogs/chicken-photo-book-janet-holmes. Thank you to everyone who helps Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest provide the best life possible for the chimpanzees!”

Thank you so much, Janet, for choosing to celebrate your own special day in such a compassionate way. Thanks for all your efforts to make the world a place where everyone is honored for their place in it. Happiest of birthdays to you!

Here’s to everyone having a place to roost and call home, surrounded by love for exactly who you are:

Happy Birthday, Ramona!

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Happiest of birthdays to Ramona Isbell, who graciously chose to celebrate her special day by sponsoring a day of sanctuary for the chimpanzees and sharing her birthday money with them!

Ramona, thank you so much for including the chimps in your happiness and heart! Your gift of sanctuary means the world to the chimps and all of us who love them. Have a beautiful day!

Missy:

Foxie:

Tiny’s Big Adventure

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Foxie may be tiny (it’s even one of our terms of endearment for her), but her courageous and adventurous spirit are limitless. And while it may take her awhile to warm up to new things, once she makes up her mind to do something, she does it.

If you’ve been following the chimps for awhile you’ve probably seen Foxie and her dolls scaling the highest points on the structures of Young’s Hill and even bravely (and nerve-wrackingly) traversing the slippery metal roof of one. But the one structure we humans haven’t seen her conquer yet, despite numerous attempts, is the Twister. She approaches it with determination and cautiously climbs part way up and every time we watch with bated breath wondering, “Is today the day she’s going to the top?!” But then as she gazes up at the very top to the crow’s nest, she decides she’s not quite ready and climbs back down, moving on to other adventures. Today, that changed.

Jody and Foxie headed up the hill with what appeared to be a sense of determination. Foxie was the first to start climbing the Twister and paused at her usual stopping point.

And then in a flash Jody headed past Foxie all the way up to the top of the Twister which seemed to bolster Foxie’s confidence.

And then it began. Foxie taking slow, cautious steps higher and higher toward her friend, Jody, who was waiting at the top. I could barely contain my excitement for Foxie (as those on the other end of the radio can attest to with my frequent shouts and squeals). I kept expecting her to turn back at any moment, but she kept going.

Once she reached the crow’s nest she found a spot to sit, hanging on precariously and appearing a little uneasy. By this time, Jody had descended the other side and was sitting on a nearby log below watching Foxie. I thought Foxie might decide that was high enough for one day.

Nope! All the way to the top of the crow’s nest!! I raised my arms in the air cheering for her and giving her a head nod which she returned along with a playful thump of approval.

This. Face!!

Foxie spent a couple minutes from her new view point and then began trying to figure out how to get back down. First she attempted to go over the side:

Then reassessed the situation and went back through the crow’s nest:

Her leg would swing around as she precariously attempted to find footing she felt comfortable with, but then she steadily made her way back down:

Yeah, Fox!

While Jody was waiting for Foxie she picked herself a quick pine tree snack and then rushed over to meet Foxie at the bottom of the Twister:

And in classic Jody style, she escorted her brave friend all the way back to the greenhouse, continually stopping along the way to reassure Foxie and make sure was following her, like the good friend she is:

I realize some of you might be thinking, “Yeesh, she’s a chimp! That’s what chimps are supposed to do! What’s all the hullabaloo?!” But when you consider the very small world in which Foxie, and all the chimps, lived for so long and that every ounce of their courage was needed just to get through each day, to get through the most unimaginable of losses, it’s nothing short of miraculous to see the healing and leaps of bravery that continue to occur almost ten years later. And it makes your heart burst right out of your chest seeing all their innate courage finally getting to be used to expand and enrich their world, their hearts and their spirits in whichever way is meaningful to them.