Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

chimpanzee sanctuary

Life is Good

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It’s probably safe to say that there is nothing better on this planet than spring at the sanctuary. The doors are thrown open and a warm breeze blows through the chimp house. The chimps alternate between napping in sunspots and frolicking in the bright green grass outside on Young’s Hill. Everyone’s feeling light and free.

Spring has put an extra bounce in Burrito’s step today. Each time a caregiver passes by, he stomps his foot playfully and passes them this sock for a game of tug of war. Life is good.

Today is for Janet Holmes, chickens and their humans!

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Janet Holmes sponsored this day of sanctuary and shared this message about her gift!

“For my birthday, and to honor rescued chickens and their people. “I have always loved animals, but for many years I was afraid to get involved with animal rescue because I couldn’t imagine how I would deal with the heartbreak. A few years ago, I decided that animals needed me more than I needed to be comfortable, and I began volunteering for animal rescue groups as a photographer and caregiver. Through this volunteer work I have met many extraordinary individuals (human and non-human) who have taught me about resilience, forgiveness, hard work and love. In particular, in the past year I’ve been working on a special project that involves making portraits of vegan women who rescue and care for chickens. I love those moments when I’m able to make a portrait that allows the extraordinary personalities of these birds and their humans to shine through. You can see some of these portraits here: http://www.blurb.com/b/8541787-why-would-anyone-rescue-a-chicken For the same reasons, I love to (virtually) visit the Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest to see the photographs, videos and stories about the chimpanzees and the people who help them enjoy a safe, loving and enriched environment. And so for my birthday this year, I decided to bring these two communities together through a donation that supports the Sanctuary and honors rescued chickens and the people who care for them. You can read more about this project here: https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/blogs/chicken-photo-book-janet-holmes. Thank you to everyone who helps Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest provide the best life possible for the chimpanzees!”

Thank you so much, Janet, for choosing to celebrate your own special day in such a compassionate way. Thanks for all your efforts to make the world a place where everyone is honored for their place in it. Happiest of birthdays to you!

Here’s to everyone having a place to roost and call home, surrounded by love for exactly who you are:

In memory of Doris Sims

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Our second special Sponsor a Day of the day comes from long-time volunteer, Patti Sims, in memory of her mother, Doris. Patti shared this message about today:

“I’d like to sponsor April 18th in honor of my mom, Doris Sims, who would have been 89 years old today! She took great interest in my volunteering with the chimps, and always asked how they were doing every time we spoke on the phone. She may not have completely understood my attraction to these seven hairy individuals, but she supported my involvement wholeheartedly. When I’d go back to Iowa to see her, I’d pull up the blog and we’d watch videos of their day. I think, like me, she shared a kindred spirit with Negra. I wish they could have met.”

Patti, thank you so much for always holding the chimps, and all animals, in your heart and for your passion and commitment to making their days better in every way possible. We’re happy to celebrate your mom’s memory with you today. Our hearts are with you and hope it’s a time filled with comfort, love, and reveling in the Neggie spirit.

Happy day to Sharon and Matt!

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We have two special sponsorships for this day of sanctuary which begins with Sharon Langone, who sponsored today with so much to celebrate! Sharon shared this message:

“I’d like to sponsor this day to celebrate both my husband Matt’s birthday and our ten year wedding anniversary! We love to read the blog and see what is going on at the sanctuary each day! We’re also looking forward to visiting the sanctuary in the summer and seeing more of the great work you all do!”

Sharon, how wonderful of you to include the chimpanzees in your day of celebration, love and family! Congratulations to you and Matt on your anniversary! And Matt, we hope this is the best birthday yet! Many thanks to you both for bringing that celebration and love to the chimps’ family and we’re looking forward to your visit this summer!

Love comes in many forms here at the sanctuary. Thank you for helping to ensure there’s a never ending stream coming into the chimps’ lives. All of us here wish you the happiest of days!

An oldie, but goodie of Foxie:

Jamie:

Missy:

Breakfast patrol

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The past couple of mornings the chimpanzees have acted as if it’s the first time in the history of history that they’ve had breakfast. The second we arrive they constantly monitor our progress in the kitchen and while greeting them or playing they stop to listen to every sound as if to say, “Sshhh! Was that a food grunt?? Is it time?!” which would be indicative of us coming down the human hallway with their breakfast. (As a sidenote for those of you who may be new to the blog, although the chimpanzees understand most of what we say, we caregivers are trained to use chimp vocalizations and gestures with them as much as possible. So one example of this is when we are getting ready to serve meals, we food grunt along with them to let them know it’s time).

So a popular spot this morning was the front room bench which faces the kitchen and has a view of the driveway (aka, “the portrait studio”). Negra was there when I arrived, I’m pretty sure willing us to arrive and get a move on:

Foxie and her orange-haired friend diligently watched the kitchen doorway:

It’s also a popular spot to return to when breakfast is served in the greenhouse as they can step out to get their servings and bring them back inside if they feel like having a little privacy to eat, want to be a little warmer, or (especially if you’re the boss) feel the need to supervise continued happenings in the chimp house:

Day to Day

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It’s really nice when the day to day routine can be broken up. Here at the sanctuary we have a fairly regular schedule, but there is often something going on to shake things up. Today, for example, J.B. had some work to do with the gator and the tractor. Jamie, naturally, took great interest in this. We took numerous walks to watch J.B. and make sure his work was up to par (no worries, it was). We also have several different volunteers onsite on any given day! Lizz, who is a level 3 volunteer, was here this weekend. Burrito was loving it!

Burrito:

Lizz and Burrito playing tug-of-war:

However, sometimes shaking up a “normal” day can be exhausting. The chimps were all in spots relaxing where the camera couldn’t reach (& Jamie also didn’t want anyone getting their photo taken), but I did get one of Neggie snacking on some spruce tree, wrapped up in a blanket:

And a bonus photo of Burrito:

Burrito later watched Lizz leave from Front Room 4:

 

 

 

 

 

Sooo sleepy

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The chimpanzees usually start gathering up blankets and heading for their night nests as soon as dinner and the evening enrichment are over. With one exception, that is. Jamie. Even if Jamie doesn’t choose to stay out for walking, she has indoor projects lined up for the evening by the time we leave for the day. But on the nights she does choose to stay out and walk, the chimp house often grows dark as everyone else is curled up in their nests starting to drift off to sleep. But with staff quietly going in and out to walk with Jamie while we wait for her to decide to come in, it’s not always the most conducive to sleeping. And sometimes the chimps just don’t fully settle into slumber until everyone is in for the night.

So when Jamie chose to stay out the other night, every time I walked down the human hallway past the frontrooms where Burrito had made a nest, he’d look at me sleepily and throw his arm out toward me, barely keeping his eyes open, trying to be patient for the boss lady to come in so he could go to sleep.

Shortly before Jamie finally decided to come inside for the night, I found Burrito sitting on one of the benches, sleepily holding onto his blanket and yawning, as if to say, “Please tell her to come in now, I’m sooo tired.”