Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest
Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary
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:
We hear it’s National Burrito Day…
All of the chimps put in a respectable showing at today’s Easter egg hunt, but there was one clear winner.
While volunteers Chelsea, Erin, and Kailie were finishing up the big clean of the playroom today, I went in search of some chimpanzees.
I found all seven of them on the “top bunk” of the structure in the greenhouse. I was able to watch them for twenty minutes or so as they rested and groomed. There were frequent switches of grooming partners, with everyone receiving and giving attention at various times and then sitting quietly grooming themselves or dozing off.
It’s incredibly heartening to witness this rag-tag bunch interacting like a true chimpanzee family group. They definitely don’t always get along (no primates do, if we’re being honest), but these times of togetherness are a big part of who they have become. Even when they were focusing on themselves, they were just inches away from one other.
Here are a few photos of Missy and Jamie:
For our second sponsor-a-day of the day, Alrene Okun is honoring her husband Michael.
Arlene shared this message:
I would like to sponsor today because it is our 28th wedding anniversary. I am thankful to be married to wonderful man who makes the world a better place. Michael truly cares about people and animals and doing what he can to help. He makes me feel loved and safe, which are probably some of the same feelings the Chimps have about CSNW and all the people there. Blessings to you all.
Happy Anniversary, Arlene and Michael! Thank you both for helping to make the world a better place for each other and many other humans and animals, including the chimpanzees at CSNW.
Today was sponsored by Brian Freyermuth in honor of his niece, Phoebe, on her 7th birthday! Brian shared this lovely message about his gift:
“Phoebe is my niece who is a lover of birds and all other animals and who gives me hope in the compassion and kindness of the next generation.”
Brian, thank you so much for giving us all hope in the future by sharing Phoebe’s compassionate heart with us! This is such a wonderful way to celebrate her and the chimps.
Happy Birthday, Phoebe! Thank you so much for caring about all the animals we share the earth with. It makes our hearts happy to hear of your love for them all. From all the primates at CSNW, chimps and humans alike, we hope you have the happiest day today! And how wonderful to be celebrating your special day on the first day of spring!
Annie is known for her “bird noises.” When she is feeling particularly content she whistles through her hands and we can hear her Annie-bird songs all through the chimp house which always makes us happy because we know it means she’s is extra happy.
It’s the last day of winter here at this northern sanctuary. The chimps have been relishing all the elements of these days betwixt and between seasons. They were outside first thing this morning soaking in the sun and crisp air and have spent most of the day basking in the warmth of the sunny greenhouse.
Each of these bluebird afternoons Missy has been asking us to open up the barn doors. Nevermind that the air is still scented with snow from the alpine peaks above the sanctuary. I think she’s convinced the garden should be growing her beloved tomatoes already and wants to check. If it’s not too cold, we usually open the doors up for a few minutes, which typically incites a lot of excitement for some reason. Everyone hoots and hollers and runs over to look out as though it’s the most amazing event ever. Though I guess it shouldn’t be surprising. It’s one of my favorite things to bundle up and step outside or fling the windows wide, pressing my face to the elements. We keep the chimp house at a toasty 70 degrees and once the chimps have had a gander outside they typically drift back to the greenhouse or sunny windows upstairs so we usually close the doors back up pretty quickly.
But today has been different. I’ve walked into the chimps’ area a dozen times to check on them and the temperature in there, expecting them to be chilly and ready for the doors to be closed. But each time someone (even Negra!) has been sitting peacefully in that end-of-winter-beginning-of-spring sun streaming in. And the last time I checked…my heart! It nearly melted into that big ol’ sun puddle on the playroom floor. Jamie, sound asleep in front of the barn doors, the last bits of winter breeze ruffling her hair. Tucked in by her boots and that crazy stuffed elephant.
Farewell winter, welcome spring.
