Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

chimpanzee sanctuary

Happy Birthday, human Jamie!

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Lynda Ferguson sponsored today in honor of her daughter, Jamie, for her birthday! Lynda shared this sweet message about today:

“I wanted to sponsor the chimps in honor of my daughter Jamie’s birthday. She is a very kind, caring, compassionate person, and loves animals with all her heart. I know she loves seeing the photos and videos of the Cle Elum 7 as much as I do, and she will be very happy to see a donation in her honor, going to such a wonderful organization. I hope we are able to visit the chimps one day soon. Happy Birthday Jamie!”

Thank you so much, Lynda! This is such a lovely way to celebrate Jamie’s special day and we so appreciate your love of the chimps and your compassionate contribution to their lives.

Jamie, all of us here wish you the happiest of birthdays! We hope you have a beautiful day doing whatever brings you a sense of joy, adventure and hope, just as you’ve helped bring the chimps.

Jamie Chimpanzee:

Today is also for Michael – Happy Anniversary!

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For our second sponsor-a-day of the day, Alrene Okun is honoring her husband Michael.

Arlene shared this message:
I would like to sponsor today because it is our 28th wedding anniversary. I am thankful to be married to wonderful man who makes the world a better place. Michael truly cares about people and animals and doing what he can to help. He makes me feel loved and safe, which are probably some of the same feelings the Chimps have about CSNW and all the people there. Blessings to you all.

Happy Anniversary, Arlene and Michael! Thank you both for helping to make the world a better place for each other and many other humans and animals, including the chimpanzees at CSNW.

Missy and Burrito chimpanzees playing

jamie chimpanzee in nest with boot

Today is for Janice Clayton!

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by Carole Galuska in honor of her friend, Janice Clayton! Carole shared this really lovely message about her dear friend:

“I wanted to sponsor this 1st day Spring, in honor of my very good friend, Janice Clayton. I can’t say enough about what a good person Janice is. She volunteers and sponsors all sorts of organizations and has a never ending love for animals. She is truly one the most generous people I know, always thinking about what she can do for others. Last year Janice made my childhood dreams come true by bringing me to the chimpanzee sanctuary, I was absolutely thrilled. My love for chimps had started as a small child, some children beg for a pony but I drove my parents crazy with my desire to have a chimpanzee! For a Christmas gift this year Janice is bringing me back to the sanctuary for another visit this summer! She really has no idea how special this gift is to me. So I decided what better way to thank her again but to sponsor a day in her honor. Thank you JC for all that you have done for Steph and I over the years. You are such a special person with an amazing soul and we both adore you! We will see you soon Jody, Burrito, Annie, Foxie, Missy, Negra & Jamie!!”

Carole, this is such a wonderful way to celebrate Janice and we so appreciate you thinking of the chimpanzees and being part of their special home here.

Janice, thank you so much for all the good you bring to the lives of so many and for sharing your love of the chimps! It’s wonderful to be able to celebrate someone who brings so much  hope and inspiration to others.

Happy spring hoots from the chimps to you both (and everyone the chimps are so fortunate to call their family and friends)!

In honor of your friendship I couldn’t help but think of dear friends, Annie and Missy:

Saying farewell to winter

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It’s the last day of winter here at this northern sanctuary. The chimps have been relishing all the elements of these days betwixt and between seasons. They were outside first thing this morning soaking in the sun and crisp air and have spent most of the day basking in the warmth of the sunny greenhouse.

Each of these bluebird afternoons Missy has been asking us to open up the barn doors. Nevermind that the air is still scented with snow from the alpine peaks above the sanctuary. I think she’s convinced the garden should be growing her beloved tomatoes already and wants to check. If it’s not too cold, we usually open the doors up for a few minutes, which typically incites a lot of excitement for some reason. Everyone hoots and hollers and runs over to look out as though it’s the most amazing event ever. Though I guess it shouldn’t be surprising. It’s one of my favorite things to bundle up and step outside or fling the windows wide, pressing my face to the elements. We keep the chimp house at a toasty 70 degrees and once the chimps have had a gander outside they typically drift back to the greenhouse or sunny windows upstairs so we usually close the doors back up pretty quickly.

But today has been different. I’ve walked into the chimps’ area a dozen times to check on them and the temperature in there, expecting them to be chilly and ready for the doors to be closed. But each time someone (even Negra!) has been sitting peacefully in that end-of-winter-beginning-of-spring sun streaming in. And the last time I checked…my heart! It nearly melted into that big ol’ sun puddle on the playroom floor. Jamie, sound asleep in front of the barn doors, the last bits of winter breeze ruffling her hair. Tucked in by her boots and that crazy stuffed elephant.

Farewell winter, welcome spring.

Strengthening bonds

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Burrito rarely goes a day without causing concentrated chaos in the mornings. It’s as though his displays are a necessary part of his a.m. routine, almost as important as breakfast. Some mornings he starts off being incredibly playful with the other chimps and his caregivers, then eats part of his breakfast, and just like clockwork ends breakfast smoothie service with a raucous display. Other mornings it’s display first, then a peaceful breakfast. We sometimes talk about how Burrito lacks some necessary social skills he needs to be the dominant figurehead in the group. He doesn’t properly respond to the girls’ submissive gestures (often closing his eyes and pretending it’s not happening) and lacks the confidence he needs to truly be “top chimp.” Despite being a bit socially awkward, Burrito is still a good grooming partner. This comes in handy when he has to make up for his wild behavior.

Burrito grooming Foxie this morning:

Sun’s Out Chimps Out

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The chimps were on the move today! Jody was running around the Hill with her gals, Missy was ripping up and down all the structures, Jamie was walking and exploring with everyone, and Foxie was pushing herself to the limits. While Jamie and I were out on a walk Missy, Annie, Jody, and Foxie we not far behind. Annie and Missy made it to the Twister and climbed all the way to the top. Jody got to the top and decided to come down; however, Foxie was cautious and went up part way only to climb back down, but that did not stop her from trying again! Once all the other girls left Foxie even climbed up the Twister on her own and got most of the way up, that girl is brave! After, Foxie met Missy up on the suspension bridge structure, Missy was feeling silly and sneakily and took Foxie’s doll and ran away (trying to instigate chase). Foxie slowly followed after her (don’t worry eventually Miss did give the doll back). All in all it was a fun and silly day at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest!

Missy and Annie on top of the Twister:

Foxie (with doll), Missy (middle), Annie (front) walking towards the next structure to explore:

Foxie climbing the Twister alone and was getting pretty high, maybe the highest she has ever gone:

Foxie carefully climbing down after a big accomplishment:

Foxie and Missy hanging out/playing on one of the climbing structures (about when Missy steals that little doll):

After a slow fun game of chase, Missy gives the doll back to Foxie (Foxie behind the tree):

Jamie exploring:

Jamie and the squad (Annie and Missy):

Handsome Burrito (he didn’t stay long outside):

After climbing all morning Annie laid down to relax and make some bird noises:

Jamie using a tool to get the big nuts out of the Playroom windows:

Missy also used a tool to get some big nuts:

Missy:

Negra enjoying some sun: