Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

A Simple Way to Welcome the New Year

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I can’t think of a better way to ring in the New Year than spending time with friends! The chimps spent most of their day spending time together, which is our favorite kind of day, or should I say, almost everyone. Willy B got a room full of bouncy balls, and well, he was occupied for the day. I mean, it makes sense, they bouncy so erratically! It’s every enriching, for Willy B, for his group mates, let’s just say they are very tolerant.

Spending time with chimps teaches you a lot, but I think a big take away heading into this new year is finding small wins and little joys that fill your cup up. Even if it’s just carving out time to groom with a friend. Or maybe in our case spending quality time with the ones we hold dear.

I was looking through my folder and came upon this photo of Jody. I labeled the photo in 2019- Jody kind eyes. It felt like a photo that needed to come out of the vault. I hope you all have a wonder and safe New Year’s Eve!

Moments We Come Upon

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Instead of writing about the day, I thought I’d share it visually. These photos offer a glimpse of what we might come upon as we are passing by the chimpanzees on a typical day.

Mave eating lunch:

Sweet Mavey nesting:

Cy playing a game of chase at lunch:

Rayne nesting in a hammock:

Little Honey B:

Honey B in her beloved front rooms:

Spending time with Terry:

Lucky enjoying her lunch in the green house:

We can’t forget, teeny tiny Foxie. This lighting for some reason is my favorite. Just the silhouette of Foxie and her tiny troll doll.

Christmas Eve at the Chimp House

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It’s Christmas Eve at the Chimp House, and the place is buzzing with excitement. While the caregivers race around gathering treats and wrapping gifts for tomorrow’s big celebration, Willy is doing his part to get into the holiday spirit—staying active and hyping himself up for all the fun that’s on the way.

 

Staff and volunteers have been working all week, sorting through all the amazing donations and getting it all wrapped for the chimps holiday celebration tomorrow:

When the Rain Settles

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Thanks to that relentless atmospheric river dumping rain and causing serious flooding all over the Pacific Northwest the chimps have been stuck inside, they still have their playrooms and greenhouses but it’s just isn’t the same as getting to explore their outdoor habitats. But finally, the skies cleared—even if the temperature didn’t exactly scream “summer.” Rayne wasted no time making the most of this rare, dry day outside.

 

Rayne, taking in the view:

 

The view:

 

After awhile George came out to join her and they sat outside together to enjoy the quiet morning:

Through Cle Elum and High Water

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As Chad mentioned yesterday, the Yakima River has been absolutely raging thanks to the atmospheric river sweeping through the region. Today felt just a tiny bit less dramatic, the water receded a bit, and we even caught a few glimmers of sun, but the storm definitely isn’t finished with us yet.

Regardless of what the weather decides to do, caregivers still have to make it in, and the chimpanzees still need their meals, enrichment, and all the usual comfort. So we do what caregivers always do- plan around whatever nature throws at us and find a safe way to get to the sanctuary.

Luckily for the chimpanzees, they remain blissfully unaware of any river drama. While the humans were swapping road-condition updates like we were running a small weather station, everyone inside was having a perfectly lovely day. A little sunshine peeked through the clouds, letting everyone soak up the warmth before cozying up in their nests.

Even we humans stepped outside to enjoy the sun for a minute. Can you tell it’s winter? One beam of light and suddenly we’re all sunflowers.

Cy eating baked onions:

Cy in a nest:

 

Sweet Georgie:

 

Jamie this morning, cozy in a nest:

Negra enjoying her persimmons:

 

Snow Snack Season

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Yesterday marked the first real snowfall of the year, and for the chimps here at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, that can only mean one thing, it’s officially snow snack season! Each winter, the chimps demand snow delivered to them whether they have access to their outdoor space or not.

Missy, in particular, is a snow fiend and insists on having snow all day long. So, today we filled up buckets with fresh snow and drizzled sugar-free flavoring on top. The whole chimp house seemed excited about the treat, even George! At first, Cy had to show him the ropes a little, but once George gave it a try, he was hooked and seemed to enjoy the snow snack just as much as the others. Snow snacks are just one of the many ways we help brighten their days during the colder months!

Hanging with Honey B

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We’ve all been running around lately with introductions and keeping things moving. So whenever there’s a slow moment, I like to take a breather and visit everyone, just to hang out. This week, I was wandering through the chimp house, hoping to find someone up for some company, when I spotted something strange: a long bamboo stick wedged inside a towel on the tool chest near the playrooms. I could tell right away I’d walked in on something mid-mission—and sure enough, the culprit was Honey B, in the middle of what looked suspiciously like a towel heist. When she saw me, Honey B marched right over, politely (but insistently) demanding the return of her bamboo stick. I handed it back, no questions asked. As a thank you, Honey B insisted on making sure my arm, shoes, and even my radio were spotless—her own version of gratitude.