Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Burrito’s Charm

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Burrito is pretty irresistible. He also tends to be a bit shy at times. When he is feeling playful he will often initiate play with his caregivers by biting on a toy or a firehouse as he shyly looks in our direction. If he is feeling particularly playful he will add a foot stomp and a head nod in for good measure. One of my favorite moments is when I go out to the greenhouse to see what the chimps are up to and upon first sight, Burrito grabs something to bite on, stomps his foot at me and takes off running for a game of chase, laughing all the way.

web Burrito greenhouse GH IMG_5984

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Digging

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After lunch this afternoon, Debbie and I hung out for awhile in the greenhouse with the chimpanzees. Jamie seemed restless. She went into the building for a moment and returned to the greenhouse with a hand shovel and proceeded to dig. Annie, who is always a big fan of digging, couldn’t resist joining her.

A Few of Negra’s Favorite Things

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Two of Negra’s favorite things are looking out over the view of the valley and eating fresh, spring grass.  It fills us with delight this spring to find Negra feeling more and more comfortable venturing outside onto Young’s Hill, often all on her own.  Despite being the middle of spring, we have been surprised by snow showers the past couple of days here in Cle Elum.  As a result Negra was very reluctant to get out of bed this morning and I can’t say that I blame her.  At one point I caught her looking out her window at the heavy snow showers and pulling the blanket back over her head.  It took JB reminding her that another favorite of hers, peanuts, were on the menu before she decided to join everyone for breakfast.  Thankfully it didn’t take long for both the sun, and Negra, to come back out again.

web Negra eat grass log bridge YH IMG_5892

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Twin Doras

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During Foxie’s decades in biomedical research she was used as a breeder.  We know of five children that Foxie gave birth to, two of whom were twins.  It’s heartbreaking that Foxie was not given the opportunity to raise any of her children.  Since arriving at the sanctuary she seems to have found a special affinity for her beloved troll dolls and more recently, Dora dolls.  When Foxie chooses to join us for a walk around Young’s Hill she can often be seen carrying one of her many dolls on her back just as chimpanzee mothers do with their children in the wild.  It’s a bittersweet glimpse into how life should have been for her and each of the Cle Elum Seven.  While we can never know for sure what Foxie is thinking about her “babies” it makes my heart happy to see she has found something to call her own.

web Foxie walk hold two Doras Young's Hill YH IMG_5593

web Foxie walk hold two Doras look at camera Young's Hill YH IMG_5602

Take Action Tuesday: Urban Tarzan

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EOA take action tuesday

The new Spike TV show called Urban Tarzan is all about wild animals found in human environments. Though the series has a whole slew of wild animals, the premiere episode from a few weeks ago featured a young chimpanzee actor. The show is supposed to be a reality series, but everything is scripted and the scenes are all staged.

Chimpanzee "actor" on the premiere episode of Urban Tarzan
Chimpanzee “actor” on the premiere episode of Urban Tarzan

There is a growing public awareness about the ethical problems with using chimpanzees in entertainment. Please remind the producers of the show about these issues by sending them a polite letter. Ask them to remove the episode from the air and pledge to never use primates in their productions again. Your letters can make a difference! In the last couple months both Great Clips and CR Fashion Book have removed content with chimpanzee actors after receiving educational letters from advocates like you!

Let the producers of Urban Tarzan know that brutal training practices in the entertainment industry are well documented. Remind them that in addition to welfare concerns, using chimpanzees in the media seriously hinders conservation efforts of free-living chimpanzees.

You may submit your comments to Spike TV’s Facebook page, or post Tweets that express your concern, such as @1UrbanTarzan very disappointed to see a chimp in your show. Please remove the episode! www.EyesOnApes.org

Sample Letter to Spike TV/Urban Tarzan:

I was extremely disappointed to hear that Urban Tarzan featured a young chimpanzee actor in the first episode. You should know that chimpanzees used in entertainment are torn away from their mothers as infants, often repeatedly beaten during training, and then discarded when they become too strong to be managed.

The show is supposed to be about rescuing wild animals from human homes, but since it is staged you are not following your own advice! Chimpanzees do not belong in human homes and they do not belong on TV either. Aside from welfare concerns, their appearance in the media seriously hinders conservation efforts. Surely you are aware that chimpanzees are endangered species in critical need of protection?

Please make the compassionate decision to remove the chimpanzee episode from rotation, and please consider to never exploit great apes for entertainment purposes again. Thank you for your consideration of my comments on this urgent matter.

Sincerely,

[Your name here]

New Beginnings

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As I drove over the snowy pass on the way to the sanctuary this morning, I was reminded how snow signifies new beginnings and a fresh start. While I have spent many years in the non-profit and primate world, I view my role as executive director at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest as a new beginning for me. For most of my life I have wanted to serve primates in a sanctuary setting and to live in the northwest. I now have been given the opportunity to marry both dreams and I could not be more thrilled. Sarah and the CSNW team have poured their hearts into this organization and have accomplished many things such as providing a safe and healthy environment for seven amazing chimpanzees, expanding space for the Cle Elum 7 by building a greenhouse and Young’s Hill, advocating for all primates by creating Eyes on Apes, and developing a visitors’ program (the list goes on and on).

Jamie and I spending quality time together
Jamie and I got to spend some quality time together

Today, I take the proverbial leadership baton and am looking forward to the future (not just for the organization, but for all chimpanzees). I look forward to helping the organization grow, advocating for chimpanzees around the world, and continuing to care for the Cle Elum 7. In the meantime, I will be getting acclimated to the sanctuary and to the area. I have already met many of our dedicated volunteers and supporters and am eager to get to know all of you. The Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest team and the chimpanzees have also been incredibly welcoming. I have begun forming special bonds with Jamie, Foxie, Missy, Negra, Burrito, Annie, and Jody…how can I not love them?

Jamie wanted me to show her my boots
Jamie wanted me to show her my boots

Thank you all for welcoming me with open arms. During this transition, feel free to e-mail me with suggestions as to how we can better serve our chimpanzees, community and supporters.