Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

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Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

“Baby” steps

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Back in February, we witnessed Foxie build her first true blanket nest. It is still a rare occasion and is usually short-lived, but she is getting there. She made a little more progress today. It seems having a new(ish) troll doll with hair helps (or several), as well as caregivers handing her an endless supply of blankets.

As we approach our 3rd anniversary (June 13!), her progress is only fitting considering two years ago (on the one-year anniversary of the chimps’ arrival to the sanctuary) Diana and I witnessed Foxie lay on her first blanket. As inappropriate as the phrase “baby steps” may seem since I am referring to a fully grown adult chimp, her steps towards nest building are small, but priceless, no less.

Lilacs

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Last week, CSNW supporters Dick and Robbi Brown brought some beautiful purple lilac flowers for the chimps. I’ve known other chimps who really loved lilacs, most notably Washoe, but we just weren’t sure what the Cle Elum Seven would think. When we first gave the flowers to them, they were unsure (I tasted one the other day– bleh! they are pretty perfumey!), but today volunteer Seana and myself put out the rest of them in the outdoor area and they were a hit with everybody!

….well, almost everybody. Much like I would feel if I were them, Burrito and Foxie chose to remain indifferent toward the flower forage.

Missy:

Negra (with Annie in the background):

Jody:

Jamie enjoying her lilacs while wearing a stuffed monkey around her neck:

She put it on first thing this morning, and has been wearing it ever since:

Annie:

Thanks Robbi and Dick!

Special thanks to Three Rivers HomeLink’s Leadership Class!

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Today’s sponsor-a-day is from Three Rivers HomeLink’s Leadership class. Three Rivers is an alternative learning center for grades K-12 based out of Richland, WA. The Leadership Class has been following our blog and learning about the chimps and have chosen to honor the Cle Elum Seven by sponsoring today! They sent us the following note and photo:

Dear Chimp Sanctuary NW,
Thank you for all your love and hard work for the seven adorable angels we have been promoting at our school! The pictures on Facebook & your blog have allowed us to showcase what you do and although it’s not a huge amount we wanted to show our love for Foxie, Jamie, Negra, Burrito, Missy, Annie, and Jody!

What a fun class, huh?! I just love this photo! Thanks so much to Johanna for keeping these kids informed and engaged, and to the kids for being the next generation of ambassadors for chimpanzees!

Here’s our own head honcho and fashionista, Jamie:

It’s Gabriela LaChappelle’s Birthday!

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Keith‘s daughter, Gabriela, is turning 17 today! I can hardly believe it!! Keith is the founder of CSNW, so I’ve known Gabby since 2003 when I first moved to Washington and started working with the chimps at Central Washington University. She’s a beautiful girl (woman!?) with a silly spirit and always has a smile on her face (and if there’s not one, I can make it happen :). I love her and her brother Teddy so much, and think of all of the LaChappelle family as part of my west coast family. So, the happiest of birthdays to you, Gabby! Hope you come visit your friends in Cle Elum soon!

Here’s a photo of one of my favorite moments with Gabby’s favorite chimp, Foxie:

WAKE UP!

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I never really know what I’m in for when I arrive at the sanctuary in the mornings. Sometimes the chimps are all grumpy– maybe they had a fight the night before or just don’t feel like getting out of bed– and sometimes they are playful goofs. Othertimes, it’s a mixture of both. When I arrived the other day, I was happy to start the day off by witnessing this: