Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest
Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary
The last two days have seen the first genuinely warm weather we’ve had in Cle Elum after a long winter. All of the windows and doors of the chimp house are thrown open, allowing a gentle, warm cross breeze to waft through the building. I think Jody’s dreamy expression speaks for all of us.
There is a gorgeous book recently written by a mother and daughter in Hawaii called “H?nau ka Ua” in which they recorded over 200 hundred names for rain in the Hawaiian language. It is written that their k?puna, or elders, were so attuned to the environment that they gave individual names to the variety of rains and winds on the islands. They knew each rain based on where and when it fell, the intensity and duration, the effect it had on people, the sound it made on the trees, and even the scent it carried. So in tune to their environment they considered it their kin.
In this part of the world, spring is ushered in on the winds. Not just any old breezes, but winds that come off the still snow-covered mountains and barrel down the valley like a freight train, that kick and buck like a wild horse, and throw sticks and stones for good measure. The days like that are sunny, but often leave all the primates taking cover. But on the days when the wind’s wild rumpus finally settles, like today, it can be cloudy and rainy. A gentle, soothing rain.
When not on Young’s Hill, the chimps chose to spend the entire day in the greenhouse, under the sound of rain on the roof. Annie nested there all day, as she often does when it rains. During a downpour at lunch we all just sat taking cover together, faces turned upward listening to the soothing rhythm.
Foxie keeping France Dora safe:
When Jamie insisted on multiple walks in the rain today, I marveled at the transition she’s made to being a Pacific Northwest chimp, virtually un-phased by the showers. Each walk for each kind of rain was different, but all were joyous and calm.
In a gentle, but steady light rain we didn’t dawdle, but she walked surprisingly slowly, the only sounds the raindrops on my Gortex jacket and our feet moving through the wet grass:
Later in the day when the rain let up and turned to only a few sprinkles was when she decided to kick up her heels and run:
On the final walk of the day most everyone decided to come out (though it was too wet for Negra today).
Burrito:
Jody:
Foxie and Dora:
Missy:
I’m so grateful that the chimps have the opportunity to be so connected to their home. To each rain and wind, snow and sunny day. To be kin with their environment and the wilderness in their hearts. Just as they were meant to be. Just as we were all meant to be.
Foxie and Dora have had a quiet Sunday so far.
In chimpanzees, personality and dominance often go hand in hand. The alphas aren’t always the biggest and strongest individuals; they’re often in charge because they want to be in charge. (Despite some of the benefits conferred, not everyone is interested in running for president.)
At CSNW, Annie is the lowest in the hierarchy. She also happens to be a little anxious. It’s impossible to know whether she’s anxious because she’s the lowest in the hierarchy, or whether she’s the lowest in the hierarchy because she’s an anxious individual. (The truth is probably some combination of those options.) Despite being the lowest in the hierarchy, Annie doesn’t have it too bad. She has to wait her turn at meals, and she defers to the more dominant chimps in passing. But she also gets away with a fair amount of sass – probably because the more dominant chimps aren’t threatened by her. She can take food straight out of Negra’s hands – assuming it’s not something Negra cared too much about – and she always lets the other chimps know when they’ve wronged her. As the years go by, we see less and less anxiety and more and more peace and contentment in her eyes.
Chimpanzee sanctuaries naturally tend to be in rural areas. And as you might imagine, for chimpanzees who have spent the majority of their lives to date in biomedical research, finding themselves exploring their outdoor habitats in the country can bring enrichment in all manner of forms.
This morning was beautiful, the grass is a brighter shade of green with each passing day and the chimps love pouring out onto the hill after breakfast to play and investigate things. Foxie took Dora (with a windswept coif) along this morning and decided to take in the surroundings in a quiet spot while deciding where her morning adventure would begin:
Annie and Missy came tumbling up the hill together and Foxie decided to follow them further up toward the structures:
As Jamie and I were walking along the perimeter together, I noticed Foxie in the background suddenly stick Dora in her mouth and with a determined look head quickly across the hill toward the fence, on a mission.
Then I realized what her mission was probably about. “Intruder” cows who needed to be run off! (Meanwhile, Annie – in the foreground – was happily picking spring grass and could have cared less about the cows):
But fierce Foxie wasn’t having it and Jamie quickly backed her friend up to chase the cows down the hill. These sweet calves belong to our neighbor and are currently grazing a portion of our property. Can you imagine what the cows’ perspective must be when they first see the chimps? Scanning their mental repertoires of possible fellow animals and thinking, “Squirrels? No…Dogs? No…Horses? No…What???”:
Notice Annie still just going about her business 🙂 :
Annie looking after Jamie, Foxie and the cows, as they all ran by, probably trying to figure out what all the hullabaloo was about:
After the chimps (even Negra!) spent a busy morning on Young’s Hill foraging for wild greens, exploring, playing, and guarding the perimeter against new intruders (neighbor cows), it’s been a pretty leisurely afternoon at the sanctuary. With warming temperatures, fresh air through open windows and doors, and a sun-drenched greenhouse, these ladies were soaking it all in.
Foxie:
Annie:
Missy:
This day of sanctuary was sponsored by Kery Shaw and Terran Baylor in honor of their friend, Bryan Pease! They shared this special message about their kind gift:
“Bryan is a good friend who advocates for animals and humans. Although, his birthday was April 8th, today activists around the world are speaking out for animals in laboratories. Today we honor Bryan who has been a huge voice for animals in labs, we honor the animals, especially the seven chimps at CSNW. Bryan is one of the top rated civil rights attorneys in San Diego and has met the stringent selection criteria of the national rating agency SuperLawyers. He is a public interest attorney focusing on government transparency and accountability, freedom of speech and assembly, and environmental, animal and consumer protection. In the June 2016 California primary election, over 23,000 registered Democrats voted for Bryan to be their San Diego County Democratic Central Committee delegate, giving him the most number of votes in the county out of 73 candidates across six state assembly districts. Bryan has fought for many San Diegans who would not be able to afford an attorney if it weren’t for Bryan’s pro bono work. For his entire legal and professional career, Bryan has worked tirelessly defending the public interest. He has successfully fought for environmental and consumer protection, defended against employment and housing discrimination, and enforced the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act. In addition to running his own law firm, Bryan has taught as an adjunct law professor, inspiring law students to pursue public interest law. Bryan also regularly provides pro bono legal services to homeless veterans and small nonprofit organizations. Bryan has also served as a board member of Ocean Beach Peoples Co-Op from 2008-2015, OB’s largest employer, and for the past 10 years, he has been the volunteer executive director of a nonprofit thrift store in San Diego that benefits animal and environmental protection causes.” We love you Bryan! Love Kery & Terran.”
Kery and Terran, thank you for adding to the chimpanzees’ lives by celebrating such an inspirational human as Bryan and for always holding the chimpanzees in your hearts. To you both, as well as Bryan, thank you for all you do for our fellow humans and animals and for making the world a better place for us all!
Jamie:
Foxie:
Burrito:
Jamie, Missy, Burrito, Annie and Foxie:
Annie and Missy:
Jody:
Negra:
