Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

chimpanzee sanctuary

Keeping the fridge full!

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Did you know that an easy way to support the chimpanzees’ health and happiness is to help us keep their fridge stocked? The chimps require a constant supply of fresh and diverse produce to keep them full and enriched! We get an amazing weekly donation of fresh fruit and veggies courtesy of Darwin’s Natural Pet Products and we supplement the delivery by purchasing additional food from our local grocery store. If you would like to help fill the chimp’s fridge, check out our Amazon Wish List and you can easily send us a Safeway gift card by clicking the available link on our list!

Many happy food grunts to our supporters from Negra, Missy, Jody, Jamie, Foxie, Annie and Burrito!

Ahhh, summertime…

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Jamie has been a happy chimp woman today as indicated by her lying upside down on her favorite barrel watching the happenings of the chimp house, occasionally kicking and flailing about when she’s feeling silly. I thought she might enjoy a drink from the mister on this warm summer day and she responded with a definite “YES!”

Though the chimpanzees really enjoy drink buckets and frozen treats, they don’t really like to get wet and while Jamie enjoys the mister, she typically only likes to catch it in her mouth. But today she was thoroughly delighted with a steady misting by her staff. And we were thoroughly delighted by her joy. Ahhh, summertime…

Today is for Negra

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Kim Williams sponsored a special day of sanctuary for the Queen herself, Negra. Kim sent this sweet message about her gift:

“I wish to dedicate this sponsorship to the beautiful Negra. She’s such a gorgeous old soul.”

Kim, thank you so much for honoring Negra! We have been marveling daily over the fact that even after ten years in sanctuary, Negra seems to be showing us new sides of herself almost daily this summer.  A little extra adventurous, more playful with her chimp and human friends alike, a little more silly, a little less serious…as most of us tend to be with summertime. It is indeed the summer of Neggie. And we couldn’t be more thrilled.

In honor of Robert Ruggeri

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Today was sponsored by the chimpanzees’ good friend, Rachel Ruggeri, in memory of her father, Robert Ruggeri. Rachel shared this special message about today:

“This day is in honor of my father, Robert Ruggeri, who passed away five years ago on this date. While he is no longer with us, his memory and legacy continue to burn bright in the lives of his family, friends, and the of course the gang of seven who show us each and every day the pleasure of living each day to its fullest. May we all seize the day ahead!” 

Rachel, thank you so much for the incredible support you show the chimpanzees, for always holding them in your heart, and for the lasting and profound difference you help make in their lives. We so touched to share in honoring your father and his legacy and appreciate you including the chimps. They are indeed shining examples of embracing each day with arms and hearts wide open. We are all sending you all the good thoughts for memories filled with love, comfort and joy as you you celebrate your father today.

Missy is the epitomy of how to live one’s life with gusto and gumption:

In memory of Kevin Clark

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Shelley Winfrey sponsors this day each year in memory of her brother, Kevin Clark with these sentiments: “For my brother, who passed away…he would have loved the chimps.”

Shelley and her mother, Patty, are such good friends to the chimpanzees and we’re so thrilled to have them as part of our chimp family. We’re touched to be able to celebrate Kevin’s memory with them today.

Thank you, Shelley, for always holding the chimps in your heart and for all you do for them. We are all thinking of you and your family today and sending all good thoughts for comfort, peace and joyful memories.

Burrito:

A summer day

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When the sun began to lower in the sky and shift away from the greenhouse this afternoon I found Foxie and her doll sleepily stretched out in the heat. In classic Foxie style, she stuck her toes out for a tickle to greet me as I sat beside her. And for just awhile, we got to spend a quintessential summer day lingering together, two friends, in silence and the shade found on a hot summer day with a warm breeze.

The Chimp Days of Summer

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It’s hot y’all. We’re in the midst of a heatwave here, but it is summer after all. Being in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains we’re fortunate to usually cool down at night so mornings tend to feel refreshing and cool for a short time before it heats up again. So the chimpanzees have been enjoying breakfast forages on Young’s Hill in the fresh morning air for the past few days. Negra headed straight for her cabin where she could enjoy her fruit in the shade:

The day has been playing out more and more slowly as the heat rises and the chimps have been making their way between ice cubes snacks, ice water buckets, and lounging in the cooler playroom. In fact right this minute, I can hear Foxie in the playroom slurping repeatedly on the straw of the water bucket, meaning it’s time for a refill! (As a sidenote, the chimps have access to water any time they want via several spigots throughout the chimp house. But it’s always more fun to drink from buckets and straws and cups, right?!).

Burrito and Jody chose an after lunch nap on the bench between the playroom and greenhouse where they were shaded, but could catch a good cross breeze:

Jody made sure to leave her corncob wadge within close range so she wouldn’t have to move too far when she wanted it:

Foxie and her Strawberry Shortcake dolls were the only ones dozing in the heat of the greenhouse, but the breeze blows right through. Summer, in full swing:

I was reading about the “Dog Days” of summer, a saying that originated from ancient Greek and Roman beliefs that the hottest days of the year occurred when Sirius, the dog star, appeared to rise just before the sun which they believed compounded the heat. There isn’t a chimpanzee star, but of course, we would all vote that there should be. Nevertheless, the Chimp Days of summer seems apropos in our world and are definitely upon us.