Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

chimpanzee rescue

Today is in memory of Robert Ruggeri

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This day of sanctuary was sponsored by Rachel Ruggeri in memory of her father, Robert Ruggeri. Rachel shared this note about today: “My father, who passed away on 7/25/13, loved animals big and small. We miss him dearly.”

Rachel, thank you so much for including the chimpanzees in remembering your father, Robert, today. You have both made a difference in their lives. All of us here at CSNW are so sorry for your loss and we are touched to be able to play a small part in honoring his life. What a lovely thing that he and love of animals continues to live on through you. We are all holding you and your family in our thoughts today.

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Taking in the view

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When the weather is just right, Negra likes to make a nest in one particular corner of the upper platform in the greenhouse. After breakfast when the other chimpanzees head out onto Young’s Hill, Negra grabs an armful of blankets and climbs up to her spot.

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Sometimes she sleeps, and sometimes she just lies there and gazes out over the valley. This is her view:

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I often wonder what the chimps think of the outside world. Most of the chimps were in their thirties when they arrived at the sanctuary seven years ago. We believe that most of them had never been outside before. After decades in cages inside windowless buildings, the first glimpse of the outdoors must have been startling and a little awe-inspiring.

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By now, Negra is accustomed to fresh air and sunshine and the wide open spaces at the sanctuary. But the view never seems to get old for her.

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Still, one does need to sleep occasionally.

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Happy Birthday, Jeanna!

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This day of sanctuary was also sponsored by John Henderson in honor of Jeanna McClellan’s birthday! John shared the following message about today:

“Jeanna has taken a real interest in the chimps since learning about the sanctuary a few years ago. She has a particular soft spot for Burrito. We visited last summer around Jeanna’s birthday, but weren’t able to do it this year as she has just started law school and is taking an accelerated summer class.”

John, thank you so much for thinking of the chimpanzees and including them in all that you and Jeanna have to celebrate. Jeanna, all of the primates here at Chimpanzee Sanctuary NW wish you the happiest of birthdays! And congratulations on beginning law school! We wish you all the best in your new adventures.

The ever-charming, Burrito:

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In memory of Kevin Clark

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Shelley Winfrey in memory of her brother, Kevin Clark. Shelley shared this message about today:

“For my  brother who passed away…he would have loved the chimps!”

Shelley, we are so touched that you would think of the chimpanzees in honoring the memory of your brother. What a special thing to do. It’s a lovely thing to know that his life has made a difference in theirs. We so appreciate you keeping the chimps in your heart and our thoughts are with you today as you remember Kevin and celebrate the live he lived.

Your pal, the handsome Mr. B. (looking at camera) with Jamie:

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The Watchdog

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As the alpha, Jamie has a lot of responsibility. It’s her job to make sure all the chimps and humans at the sanctuary are following her rules. Anyone who’s ever worked in management knows that this isn’t always the most enviable position. But Jamie is diligent and dedicated to the task. She is a great overseer. One of her self-assigned job duties is to know everything that’s going on at the sanctuary at any given time. She keeps track of when people arrive and when they leave. She knows who’s authorized to be on site and who isn’t.

She spends a lot of time spying on the driveway from various vantage points within the chimp house or outside on Young’s Hill. The other day I caught her in one of the front rooms keeping an eye on a UPS delivery.

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Lazy Days

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After lunch is the laziest time of the day here at the sanctuary. The chimpanzees have a few hours between lunch and dinner, and they usually spend it in quiet pursuits like grooming, nesting, and napping. This afternoon we set up a lunch forage on Young’s Hill, and after all that activity and excitement, Jody was ready for a little solitary grooming.

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After awhile, even grooming took too much energy and she settled in for a nap.

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