Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

In memory of Bessie Venema

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This gift of a day of sanctuary was generously given to the chimpanzees by Jennifer Wallace in memory of her grandmother, Bessie Venema. Jennifer shared this touching message about Bessie:

“Today is in memory of my Granny Bess. She was a very influential person in my life and someone I think of a lot. My Granny was such a kind person and never had anything bad to say about anyone. She always made my French toast exactly how I liked it with a lake of maple syrup and a dusting of powdered sugar. She would play Scrabble with me for hours, letting me win with all the triple letter and double word scores. She sang silly songs to me and always let me lick the batter from the cookie bowl…although she would gently slap my hand and say I was going to get Salmonella. Granny taught me to sew and brought me hot tea when I was sick. I always felt loved around Granny. I miss her dearly and hope she knew how much I loved her with all my heart.”

Jennifer, thank you so much for wanting to do something for the chimpanzees as you honor your Granny Bess and how much she means to you. We are touched to be included in your celebration of her and happy to honor her here today. We wish you a day of comfort, peace and joy as you remember her. And we so appreciate you helping to ensure all those things for the chimps.

Negra may not be significantly older than some of the other chimps, but she seems to be considered the granny of the group, and most definitely the Queen:

Burrito Chimpanzee in Black and White

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Continuing with the black and white/grey theme from Saturday, and thanks to comments on that blog post, I decided to truly embrace this way of seeing and capturing images by setting the camera to monochrome and finding out what might happen.

I had to climb a ladder in the greenhouse to get these photos, but Burrito willingly served as the most handsome subject anyone could hope to have.

I might just be in love with black and white.

 

Burrito wears it well.

 

Happy Birthday, Meg!

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Today was sponsored by wonderful friend of the chimps and humans, Meg Lunnum! Meg graciously chooses to celebrate her birthday each year with the chimpanzees and we couldn’t be happier than to be included in celebrating a human we are so happy to know is in the world. Meg shared this message about her day:

“I like to honor all the primates at Chimpanzee Sanctuary NW on my birthday. This year I would like to include some new, casual chimpanzee friends I met at the Knoxville Zoo in Tennessee.”

Meg, many, many thanks to you for all you do not only for the Cle Elum 7, but for all animals far and wide! And thank you for sharing your new friends, Bo, Binti, Daisy, Jimbo, Debbie, George, Mwelu, and Ripley, with us! Our thoughts and hearts are with the staff, caregivers, and chimpanzee family at Knoxville Zoo over the loss of their beloved Debbie. We are honored to have a chance to learn about her and her family and to celebrate them along with you, Meg.

From all of us at CSNW, we hope you have the happiest of birthdays yet, Meg! And extra good wishes from your pals, Annie and Negra. We’re so lucky to call you our friend.

Lunch

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We continue to be amazed by this spring-like winter we’re having in Cle Elum. Today’s sun has made the greenhouse nice and toasty for the chimpanzees. Volunteer caregiver Jake found the chimps in a grooming huddle up on the platform when he brought lunch out this afternoon, but they were happy to take a break to eat.

Is it Winter?

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The chimps and I are still in disbelief that it is 42 degrees in January! Jamie and I have been going on nice leisurely walks (Missy did joined us but after a while she would sprint off). Missy has been out all day running everywhere, climbing on all the outdoor structures, and balancing on ropes. Annie and Missy enjoyed sometime together on the Hill playing follow the leader and wrestling in the Playroom. Foxie took her dolls outside and soaked in the warmer weather. Foxie and Jody later went far out on the Hill and explored together. I couldn’t catch Burrito in any photos but he also had been out and about on the Hill and of course played chase in the Green House! And Neggie made some very cozy nests today and laid near the Playroom windows to feel the warm sun shining in.

Missy running on Young’s Hill:

Missy:

Annie staring out towards the Hill:

Annie:

Jamie also running on the Hill with Missy:

Jamie:

Negra: