Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

chimpanzee sanctuary

Friends

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The majority of our chimp house volunteers have no direct interaction with the chimpanzees. The caregivers you see on our blog playing with the chimps or serving them meals are either staff or specially trained, long-term volunteers. Volunteers are typically with us for at least a year before they are eligible for this training. The training process lasts several months, and volunteers are required to commit to at least another year as volunteers after that.

These volunteers learn not only how to safely interact with the chimpanzees, but how to be good chimp friends. They learn chimp behavior and etiquette so that they can communicate with the chimps in their own language and integrate seamlessly into the social group. They become important and stable parts of the chimps’ circle of friends.

The Celebration Continues!

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Every once in awhile I feel like everything around me stills for just a few seconds and I find myself standing still in eye of the love storm that surrounds these chimpanzees. It’s a feeling to behold and I can’t help but imagine if all living beings, us humans included, could feel so much love and respect what a different place this world, this life, might be. It’s inspiring and hopeful and makes one’s heart ache with gratitude that these amazing chimpanzees get to experience this as their every day life now.

As we celebrate this special day of the chimps’ 9th year since arriving to their sanctuary home AND Queen Negra’s birthday, our second day of sanctuary sponsorship comes from our dear friend, Kathleen Corby, with this beautiful message:

“Happy 44th Birthday to Negra and Happy 9 Years of Hope, Love, Home, Sanctuary to CSNW! To Negra, I wish you a day filled with warm sunshine to nap in, soft fuzzy blankets to nest with, and Nut Bags galore bursting full of your favorite snacks! Please know I love you dearly and I will never forget the day I had the privilege to meet you — my heart melted with pure joy upon seeing your beautiful face. Happy Birthday to you dear girl! I love you. To everyone at CSNW, I wish you the happiest of celebrations on this important day. I will be celebrating with you in my heart. Thank you for all you have done and all you continue do to provide Negra, Missy, Annie, Jamie, Foxie, Jody and Burrito with the best of everything possible. Much love, Kathleen”

Kathleen, from our hearts, thank you for being part of this chimp family and this amazing day of celebration. You are here in spirit, thought and heart every day and I have no doubt the chimpanzees feel that on some level.

Happy Anniversary, Annie, Burrito, Foxie, Jamie, Jody, Missy and Negra! We love you all so very much!

Annie:

Burrito:

Foxie:

Jamie:

Jody:

Jody with forage haul

Missy:

And Happiest of Happy to you on this birthday, Queen Negra! Negra says, *Clap, Clap!!* “Let’s get this party started!”:

Morning grooming fest

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When I arrived to the chimp house this morning I found the whole family (with the exception of Missy who was still asleep in her nest) at the top of the sunny greenhouse together nesting and grooming. Grooming is extremely important in chimp society. While it does serve to care for wounds and keep each other clean, it’s a primary means of building relationships, maintaining bonds, and offering comfort.

The chimps had a doozy of an argument yesterday (as chimps’ often do) and while it was pretty much resolved by the end of the day, it was really nice to see everyone relaxing together this morning, amends made, grievances forgiven. The business of chimp families.

Annie and Negra (background):

Annie self-grooming:

Annie in her nest, Jamie grooming Jody:

Jamie is grooming Negra, but Burrito was actually trying to get Negra to play by ruffling her hair, play-stomping and laughing. Negra was not remotely interested in anything but being groomed.

After making the grooming rounds with her chimp family, Foxie swung down to say hi:

It’s been a peaceful day in the chimp house. And good thing, because the chimps need to rest up for the big celebration tomorrow! Not only is it their 9th anniversary since arriving to their sanctuary home (9 years?!!), but it’s Negra’s 44th honorary birthday! And it’s going to be a party fit for a Queen, naturally.

Happy Birthday, Lorraine!

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Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored in honor of Lorraine Lofton for her birthday by her son and daughter, Max and Coral Nafziger! Lorraine was one of the amazing volunteers who helped make our annual Hoot! Gala such a wonderful success!

Lorraine, happiest of birthdays to you from all of us at CSNW! Thank you so much for all you do to help us ensure a bright and secure future for these seven amazing chimpanzees, as well as any future family members. The gift of your time and compassion is so greatly appreciated.

Max and Coral, thank you for celebrating your mom on her special day with a gift for the chimpanzees! We are grateful to your family for helping us care for this chimp family!

Have a beautiful day, Lorraine!

Missy:

Jody:

jody smelling rose

Annie:

Happy Birthday, Donna!

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There has been a lot of thought around the chimpanzees and sanctuary this week as so many generous supporters have been including the chimps in their lives by sponsoring a day of sanctuary! It makes us so happy to see the chimps included in so many of your memories and celebrations and we’re grateful beyond belief for the difference you make in their lives.

Today’s day of sanctuary was sponsored by a long-time supporter and friend of the chimps, Donna Dinsmore! Donna shared, “This is my birthday and I would love to have the chimps celebrate it with me!”

Donna, Happy Birthday! Thank you so much for your kind and generous heart. We’re all so happy to be able to celebrate with you and are wishing you a beautiful day filled with adventure, contentment, and all your favorite things:

Jody:

Happy Birthday, Karen!

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This day of sanctuary was sponsored by Julie Olson to celebrate her sister, Karen Olson! Julie and Karen are long-time friends of the chimps and we’re so happy to join them in their festivities today! Julie sends this message about today:

“I am sponsoring a day for the chimps in honor of my sister Karen’s birthday. She introduced me to the chimps and I am so glad she did! She truly loves all creatures great and small except for spiders :-D” 

Julie, thank you so much for sponsoring today in Karen’s honor! Your compassion and generosity ensure that every day is one of sanctuary for these amazing chimps and we’re truly grateful to you and Karen.

Happiest of birthdays to you, Karen! We hope your day is filled with Annie-Missy style joy and love! Well, maybe not the games of wrestling and chase at dangerous heights, but still the joy and love. 😉

Missy Annie running behind