Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

chimpanzee rescue

Today is in memory of Dr. Mel

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored in memory of Dr. Mel Richardson by Laura Handzel. Laura shared: “I’ll miss Dr. Mel and his smile. I’m grateful for everything I learned from him and for all he did for the animals, especially those at CSNW.”

As many of you are aware, the animals of the world (human and otherwise) lost a dear friend in Dr. Mel recently. While our loss is immeasurable, so is his legacy. Dr. Mel’s was a life well lived and a model of how to walk in the world as a human. Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest and all of us here wouldn’t be the same without being so fortunate to have been a part of his extraordinary life.

Laura, thank you so much for honoring Dr. Mel in such a thoughtful way.

Here is another fan of living life to the fullest, Dr. Mel’s Pal, Jody:

Jody weed in mouth

Foxie’s dolls

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We try our best to vary which chimps are featured on the blog, so that no one is over or underexposed. But sometimes good material for a blog post just comes to us, and we have to go with it. So, I have a Foxie video to share today, despite the fact that the blog has been rather Foxie-heavy lately.

Foxie has an interesting relationship with her dolls. She often treats them maternally, kissing them or carrying them on her back as a mother chimp would do with her infant. Other times, she behaves aggressively toward them, beating them repeatedly with a wooden spoon. Occasionally she seems to be in awe of them, holding them out in front of her and gazing at them adoringly. And sometimes, they’re simply playthings.

This morning she spent some time completely preoccupied with this collection of dolls in the playroom.

Thank you, Susan!

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Susan Cooper. Susan shared the following thoughts: “I love Sundays. On Sundays I think about things that are truly important to me. Sunday is the day I spend at home, thinking about those I love and taking care of my 5 rescue dogs and our home.”

Susan also shared how moved she was by our recent video about Foxie and the inspiration she provides for us all. It means the world to us when others see how special the chimpanzees are. Thank you so much, Susan, for thinking of Foxie and her chimpanzee family on your special Sundays, and for all you do for animals!

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More love for Connie!

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Today was sponsored in honor of Connie Lamm (formerly Connie Robertson) by Mary Neal, who wanted to share what “a wonderful person” Connie is! You may recall that a day of sanctuary was recently sponsored for Connie in honor of her marriage to Bill by her fellow chimp house volunteers. Connie never misses an opportunity to help her chimpanzee and human friends in whatever way she can so it comes as no surprise that the love for her keeps pouring in.

Connie works tirelessly to improve the lives of the chimpanzees in countless ways. From being a volunteer caregiver to keeping the chimpanzees’ refrigerator stocked with produce pick-ups, to helping organize fundraising events and sharing her passion for the sanctuary with everyone she meets.  And we can’t thank her enough!

Mary, thank you so much for honoring Connie in such a generous and thoughtful way!

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Today is for Joy Hawks

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Caitlin Hawks in honor of Joy Hawks! Thank you so much, Caitlin, for thinking of the chimpanzees in your special gift for Joy. And Joy, we wish you all the things that come with a day in sanctuary…comfort, laughter with friends and family, good food, love, and many wonderful choices on how to spend your time. Thank you to both of you for helping to ensure the chimpanzees experience these things every day.

Missy and Annie:

Annie groom Missy in greenhouse

Cheers!

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Happy New Year’s Eve! We want to thank Jody Ubert for sponsoring today for the chimpanzees. Jody, you’ll be happy to know that we had a wonderful little New Year’s Eve party for the chimpanzees today, complete with party streamers and plastic champagne flutes with sparkling apple cider. The chimps loved them!

Today is also the last chance to donate before the end of the year. If you’re on our mailing list, you received this message in your inbox this morning, which includes a link to the Foxie Inspires Us video. Foxie and her friends are in a Holiday Pal competition, too, and I think it’d be really great to see all seven chimps with two full candy canes by the end of 2013. Check the progress here, and support your favorite pal before the ball drops at midnight tonight!

Here is Foxie enjoying some of the cider from today:

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Thank you to everyone who has made the last five and half years of sanctuary so wonderful for the Cle Elum Seven. Cheers to you and yours, and have a Happy New Year!

Sounds of Sanctuary

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Although it is true that chimpanzees are often much more quiet than one might assume based on experience with them in the media, chimpanzees can also be quite loud when expressing themselves, given the right circumstances. As a matter of fact, the daily routine of sanctuary life is accompanied by sounds that a caregiver comes to rely on.

When I arrive at the chimp house in the morning the chimpanzees are often still sleeping, or enjoying a quiet morning. Not soon after though, Burrito usually makes some noise in the front rooms. Perhaps he’s letting everyone know that the day is about to begin? At any rate, the morning for caregivers consists of breakfast making with the blender whirring in the kitchen and the sounds of a chimpanzee community getting ready for the day. Burrito’s way of greeting the day is certainly unmistakable.

Meal times usually involve food grunts, squeaks and, of course, some chewing. The rest of the day can run the gamut. When the mood takes them the chimpanzees will spend time grooming together, playing, or occasionally engaged in aggressive displays and each of these activities are often attended by distinct chimpanzee vocalizations. To get a feel for what I’m talking about check out today’s video and make sure to have your volume turned up and your listening ears on!