Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

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Windows!

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Great news! Today we installed the last of the cageless playroom windows.

Here is a before shot of the garden side of the playroom:

And here is the after shot, with four caged windows replaced with chimp-proof glass:

Here is a before shot of the wall facing the chimpanzees’ outdoor area (these are the windows you’ll see in the video below, from the other side):

And here is the after shot, with three upstairs and one downstairs window replaced with chimp-proof glass:

This video was taken yesterday when the chimps were first given access to the outdoor area after the installation of the two upper left picture windows. The upper right window wasn’t quite finished, but it was the first time the chimps could sit in that windowsill because it was previously covered by a large polycarbonate panel on the outdoor area side. Everyone was visibly excited about the new additions and spent the remainder of the afternoon climbing in and out (and in and out) of the new windowsills.

To everyone who has given funds, time and energy, or kind words: We can’t thank you enough. You have given the chimps a brighter view!

Alamogordo update – sad news

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Through a Freedom of Information Act request, Release and Restitution for Chimpanzees in U.S. Laboratories (Project R&R)  has learned that Levi, Jody’s son, is among the group of chimpanzees who have already been moved from the Alamogordo Primate Facility (APF) to the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research.

Project R&R is encouraging supporters to contact Dr. Barbara Alving, the Director of the National Center for Research Resources. Please see the Project R&R alert and contact Dr. Alving today to ask her to halt the transfer of any more chimpanzees and allow all 202 chimpanzees from APF to be permanently retired.

Jody had at least nine babies taken from her during her years as a breeder and biomedical test subject. For the first time in her life she is able to soak up the sun, make huge nests and live each day without pain and fear. Her son Levi and her daughter April, who is still at APF, deserve the same.

Evening Magazine tonight!

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The feature about Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest that aired several months ago on King 5’s Evening Magazine is re-airing TONIGHT. Watch it and tell everyone you know to watch it! The show begins at 7pm and it looks like CSNW will be the second story. For those not in the Seattle area, hopefully they will post a video on their website after it airs: http://www.king5.com/on-tv/evening-magazine

Update after the airing – link to the video online: http://www.king5.com/on-tv/evening-magazine/Retired-chimps-living-in-luxury-99898444.html

Senator Cantwell introduces GAPA companion bill

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If you receive our e-newsletter you found out some sad news this morning – at least four of the 202 chimpanzees living at the Alamogordo Primate Facility who are slated to be transferred to Texas and made available for biomedical testing are children of the Cle Elum Seven.

We were able to determine this thanks to Project Release and Restitution and the information they have available on their website.

Learn more about this transfer of 202 chimpanzees from our July 16th blog post and view today’s newsletter with details of whose children are among the group: August e-newsletter.

There is hope for these and all chimpanzees in biomedical research in the United States, however. Today, Washington State Senator Maria Cantwell introduced a companion bill to the Great Ape Protection Act, first introduced in the House of Representatives as HR 1326. Passing GAPA would mandate that federally-funded chimpanzees be retired to sanctuary and would outlaw the use of chimpanzees in painful and invasive biomedical research.

Learn more about GAPA and how you can help from the Seattle Times editorial co-written by Executive Director Sarah Baeckler and from the Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine.

This is a crucial time for chimpanzees and we have the power to help them. Thanks to everyone who is speaking out for them.

Yesterday in honor of Neil

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Yesterday, August 2nd, was a Sponsor a Day in honor of Neil Welch who “loves the intelligence and beauty of the chimpanzees.” Thank you, Neil and thank you Tanya for honoring Neil by dedicating a day of sanctuary for the Cle Elum Seven chimpanzees!

Here’s a special photo of the beautiful and intelligent Jody investigating the long laces on a sandal:

Jody with sandal in playroom

Grooming

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Grooming, generally a very calm activity, is a really important part of chimpanzee culture. It establishes and strengthens friendships and alliances. Chimps part the hair and pick out any debris or dead skin. They also will groom scabs off of themselves and each other.

Left to right: Missy grooms Burrito’s head. Burrito grooms Foxie’s back. Foxie grooms Burrito’s arm.

Burrito, Foxie and Missy groom outside

Annie (right) grooms Missy’s face. Chimpanzees often use their lips as well as their fingers to groom themselves and others.Annie grooms Missy's face

Jody (left) and Missy (right) groom Jamie (center, wearing scarf of trolls). This photo was taken shortly after Jamie had been ill for a few days and had been separated briefly from the group (though they could all still see each other). Grooming is very common when chimpanzees are reunited after even a short separation.

Jody and Missy groom Jamie