Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

The day after the party

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All of the chimpanzees slept in this morning. While it’s not unusual to come in and find a few people still in their nests, it’s a little unusual to find everyone not only still in their nests, but most of them sound asleep. Even as I began quietly unlocking doors and starting the morning task list, it was a few minutes before anyone woke up.

Foxie was curled up on the heated floor with her doll, still in dreamland, and when she eventually stirred she sat up sleepy-eyed, hair on end in excitement, and trundled over to say good-morning, eyes barely open, but full of joy. Negra even skipped the first part of breakfast and chose to take advantage of having the greenhouse all to herself to get a few more minutes of sleep. But I think we can all relate to the day after an exciting party event.

And yesterday’s birthday lady, Jody? Well, see for yourself…

Jody’s 44th Birthday!

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Today we celebrated Jody’s honorary birthday by scattering large amounts of whole fresh produce and browse across Young’s Hill. The chimps each collected their own individual lunch bouquet (a perfect tribute to Mother’s Day).

Negra and Missy each had their own respective lunch forage hauls.

But when Missy made it back to the greenhouse with corn and lettuce, Negra pulled rank and ordered Missy (somewhat reluctantly) to turn over her lunch:

Missy made up for her loss by gathering almost every single lilac we had put out in the greenhouse:

Annie was on high alert due to a snake sighting early on in the forage:

Eating on an elevated platform seemed like the best choice for her today:

Jamie has been collecting corn on the cob all day! She seems to keep finding a piece, every time she goes outside.

Then there was the birthday girl… This day was truly her day.


Happy Mother’s Day Lynda!

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This special day was sponsored by Jamie Ferguson in honor of her mother, Lynda Ferguson! Jamie shared this beautiful message for her mother:

“What better day than Mother’s Day to honor and celebrate the woman who instilled in me my love for animals and passion for animal welfare? My mom, Lynda Ferguson, has always loved animals and it’s because of her that I grew up respecting and loving them too. While she loves all animals, she absolutely adores the chimps of the Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest and she delights in seeing the photos and videos you post each day about their adventures. She introduced me to the chimps as well and, of course, I fell in love with them too. Happy Mother’s Day, Lynda Ferguson! Thank you for sharing with me your love for animals and for truly being the most loving, selfless and generous mom anyone could every ask for and for being my best friend. I love you!”

Jamie, thank you for honoring your mother in such a gracious way and adding even further to the chimpanzees’ lives. We’re so thrilled knowing how much they mean to you both.

Happy Mother’s Day, Lynda! Thank you for loving the chimps and for the difference you make in the world for so many by sending that love through your heart and your daughter.

Mother’s day is a very special day here at the sanctuary. Annie, Foxie, Jody, Missy and Negra are each mothers and we honor them and their children today, as well as each of the chimpanzees and the childhoods they themselves lost. Mother’s Day is also the day we chose to celebrate Jody and her official-unofficial birthday and as such, Jody is 44 today! Jody is the self-appointed “mother hen” of the group, always ensuring that everyone is safe, present and accounted for.

Jody and Foxie:

Who doesn’t wish they had a turtle pool to relax in?

When she’s not rounding up her family members or luxuriating in one of her creative nests, she finds time to maintain her title of Queen of Foraging:

Happy Mother’s Day to everyone celebrating today! We celebrate and honor all the many nurturing, supportive and loving forms which mothering comes in and wish you each a beautiful day.

And Happy Birthday, Jody!! We love you so very much! Everyone tune in later today to see the celebration. 🙂

A Study in Contrasts

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Ya’ll, even though it’s only May, it is summer weather out here today at the sanctuary.

Foxie was getting the most out of the airy greenhouse and lazy summer vibes by literally putting her feet up.

With a doll, of course.

Jody was doing the same, right next to Foxie.

But this is my favorite photo of the bunch. It shows Foxie, the picture of carefree relaxation, in stark contrast to Jamie, who broke herself away from a perfectly calm grooming session to take the opportunity to try the scare the living daylights out of the caregivers cleaning on the other side of the door.

To each her own, I say.

The Boot Book Fiend

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As you all may know, Jamie has quite the collection of boots and a pretty broad library. Jamie started her morning in a big comfy nest surrounded by some educational reading material and a few good boots. What she didn’t know was that there were a pair of boots coming to her in the mail! Jamie has been intrigued with this style of boot for some time, so you could say she was thrilled to find out they were hers.

Say hello to Jamie’s newest addition, Vegan Dr. Martens (photo taken after we already wore them around the Hill):

Jamie this morning with a bonobo book:


Jamie with her new Vegan Doc Martens:

And some bonus photos because I mean just look at these chimps!

Sweet tiny Foxie:

Smoldering Burrito:

Kind eyed Jo:

And the wise Negra:

New food puzzle!

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We recently introduced the chimps to their newest food puzzle, these giant firehose cubes! Volunteers stuffed all 6 pockets on the cubes with a variety of enrichment and hidden treats for them to find, and we put them out as part of a playroom forage. Jessica Mayhew (who wears many hats as CSNW board member/ caregiver volunteer/Central Washington University professor) had her class assemble these puzzles for us to use for many years to come. Many thanks to Jessica and the students in the spring quarter “Apes” class at CWU!

Bring on the Warm Weather

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Today is one of those days that gets you excited for the warm weather season. It is a comfortable temperature outside, there is a nice breeze, a few clouds in the sky. This warmth feels so good that a few Greenhouse panels came off today! Which means summer is right around the corner! But that’s enough chit chat! I got a lot of good photos over the last couple days and thought I would let them do the talking!

Negra:




Missy & Jody:

Jody:

Missy:

Burrito:

Annie:

Annie & Burrito:

Foxie:

Jamie: