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chimpanzee retirement

The neighborhood hot spot

October 10, 2015 by Katelyn

Most neighborhoods have that spot where all the locals like to gather, right? Well, our current neighborhood hot spot is the small orchard on the property, specifically the pear trees. The leaves are glowing orange and yellow with branches hanging heavy with fruit and a carpet of pears below.

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From top to bottom, all of our wild neighbors are stopping by to try and get them while they can, like these robins.

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A quail pair:

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Mr. Coyote diligently stood guard while the Mrs. did her best to retrieve some from under the fence:

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One of our doe neighbors with her growing fawn are frequent visitors:

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And with most neighborhood hot spots, you might know there is going to be some drama at some point. While Jamie might be boss of the chimp house, it seems Ellie fancies herself the boss of the orchard:

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Chimpanzees living in the wild remember the location of favored food as well, particularly fruit trees. With food sources often being unpredictable and dispersed throughout a large area finding the most productive food resources with the most efficient use of energy and time is essential for any species so there is often a lot of competition for high value food. Thankfully, the chimpanzees here have us humans to deliver the goods so they get to avoid the drama at the local hot spot. Or at least keep it between the family.

Jody savoring the ripe pears:

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Negra:

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Missy:

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Filed Under: Food, Jody, Missy, Negra, Sanctuary Tagged With: chimpanzee retirement, chimpanzee sanctuary, Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, Cle Elum Seven, csnw, Jody, Missy, Negra, Sanctuary

In memory of Carlene

October 6, 2015 by Katelyn

Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Tony Garza and family in memory of his beloved wife, Carlene Olsen-Garza. The Garza family are dear members of our sanctuary family and they have done so much to ensure Carlene’s love for the chimpanzees lives on through all that they do to make the chimps’ lives better. We are so grateful to be a part of all the love and light Carlene and her family bring to the world.

Tony shared this message about today: “Carlene was a stead fast follower of CSNW right up until she lost her battle with cancer on this date in 2014. She was a great admirer of the work that the Sanctuary did and read with great interest anything to do with her three favorites: Jamie, Burrito and Foxie. Today we honor the memory of my dear wife by doing what we can to help the Sanctuary continue its work and achieve its future goals.”

Tony and family, our thoughts are with you all today. We are so touched by all that you do for the chimpanzees in Carlene’s memory and hope that your hearts are eased and comforted in knowing her spirit carries on here at the sanctuary. The dedication and love with which you all make sure that her compassion continues to make a different in the world is truly inspiring. Thank you so much for sponsoring today in her memory.

Jamie:

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Burrito:

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Foxie:

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Filed Under: Burrito, Foxie, Jamie, Sanctuary, Sponsor-a-day Tagged With: animal rescue, Animal Welfare, Burrito, chimpanzee, chimpanzee rescue, chimpanzee retirement, chimpanzee sanctuary, Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, csnw, Foxie, Jamie, Sanctuary, Sponsor-a-day

The Magic of a Good Meal

October 5, 2015 by Elizabeth

Food is a neverending source of joy for the Cle Elum Seven chimpanzees. It never loses its ability to excite and satisfy.

Annie:

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Burrito:

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Filed Under: Annie, Burrito, Food, Sanctuary Tagged With: Annie, Burrito, chimpanzee, chimpanzee rescue, chimpanzee retirement, Cle Elum, Cle Elum 7, Cle Elum Seven, csnw, Sanctuary

Taking the high road

September 30, 2015 by Katelyn

Jamie often likes to meander on her walks around the hill to climb structures, forage, or just check out the happenings in her kingdom. And when she diverts from the path, she expects whomever is accompanying her to wait patiently in the wings until she is ready to resume walking along the perimeter. It’s pretty funny how well she has us conditioned to her expectations, but it’s a joy to be able to watch her enjoy her time as she periodically looks our way to make sure we are still waiting for her.

Since the climbing structure with Carlene’s Tower and Jamie’s Lookout were built for the chimpanzees, this has become one of her favorite detours. She typically leaves us waiting at the top of the hill as she goes to make her way up the ladder to her Lookout, take in the view, cross the shaky bridge to Carlene’s Tower, and then climb back down the other side. She does a quick search in the foliage below and then usually returns to where she left us waiting so we can proceed on the path around Young’s Hill.

Often we walk in silence, occasionally looking across at one another to offer a head nod (or for Jamie to make sure we’re still wearing her boots). When I walk with her I often stop to take photos or look at something, doing my own exploring, and she will wait for me in return. Sometimes the only sound I hear are her footsteps through the grass as we make our way back to the chimp house. It’s a leisurely stroll with a good friend.

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As part of Jamie’s routine she now usually picks up a tumbleweed along the way and carries it back to the chimp house with the plan to groom whatever boots we are wearing with her makeshift tool.

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And then as long as it’s during the day and there’s no threat of it being time to close off Young’s Hill for the evening, Jamie often gathers her boots and blankets for a quick nap until it’s time to set off for the next walk.

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Filed Under: Boots, Enrichment, Jamie, Sanctuary, Young's Hill Tagged With: Animal Welfare, chimp sanctuary, chimpanzee rescue, chimpanzee retirement, chimpanzee sanctuary, Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, Cle Elum Seven, csnw, Jamie, Sanctuary

Today is for Lisa Nowak!

September 29, 2015 by Katelyn

What a fun and amazing week it’s been so far! With so much love for the chimpanzees, their Summer Lovin’ party last Saturday seems to have kept going right into an “Autumn Lovin'” week full of continued generosity and love for the chimps and humans alike. Much to our delight, this day of sanctuary was sponsored by Lisa Stuverud in honor of Lisa Nowak (who sponsored yesterday for Meg Lunnum who honored the bloggers the day before)! Lisa shared this message about today:

“I too have been inspired to sponsor a day in honor of Lisa Nowak who honored Meg Lunnum who honored the bloggers at the sanctuary because like so many others I look forward to the daily sanctuary blog posts whether they be educational or entertaining, the writing is superb and insightful and they are filled with lots of wonderful pictures of the seven amazing beings I have grown to adore!! Thank you so much!”

We’re grateful to you all for the loyal following of the chimps and their lives through our blog! And Lisa S., thank you so much for honoring Lisa N. and continuing this flow of inspiration and kindness! It often makes people feel more comfortable to see kindness as a weakness. But only from a place of true strength can we walk in kindness and compassion and not only give to others (especially those we may not even know), but inspire and empower others to do the same. Just look at the ripple effect of these gifts. They not only make a big difference for each of these seven chimpanzees, but for so many people connected to them. And how much more powerful does it get than that?

Jamie, finally living her life surrounded by so much love:

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Filed Under: Jamie, Sanctuary, Sponsor-a-day Tagged With: chimpanzee retirement, chimpanzee sanctuary, Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, Cle Elum Seven, Jamie, Sanctuary, Sponsor-a-day

A Quiet Life

September 24, 2015 by Elizabeth

All Negra wants is a quiet life. Some people live for drama and excitement, but Negra’s not interested in any of that nonsense. She stays out of group conflicts, she keeps to herself, and she surrounds herself with comfort and warmth.

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Filed Under: Negra, Sanctuary Tagged With: Animal Welfare, chimpanzee, chimpanzee rescue, chimpanzee retirement, Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, Cle Elum, Cle Elum 7, Cle Elum Seven, Negra, Sanctuary

Her Royal Neggie-ness

September 23, 2015 by Katelyn

The chimpanzees welcomed in the first day of autumn with a breakfast forage on Young’s Hill complete with chimp approved weather – cool air and warm morning sun. Negra, in particular, was exceptionally active, climbing structures and venturing to parts of the hill that we don’t usually see her in. With each handful of food she found she would take the time to sit and enjoy it in the warm sun as she took in the view of her beloved valley below.

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After all that activity, Negra came in for a well-deserved rest with the sun streaming into her nest and onto her belly. A day befitting the queen.

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Filed Under: Negra, Nesting, Sanctuary, Young's Hill Tagged With: animal rescue, chimp sanctuary, chimpanzee, chimpanzee retirement, chimpanzee sanctuary, Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, csnw, Negra, Sanctuary, young's hill

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PO Box 952
Cle Elum, WA 98922
[email protected]
509-699-0728
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EIN: 68-0552915

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